CONSTANTLY broadening sphere of usefulness-a progressive and constructive policy, maintained upon high standard of efficiency, working for the solution of the great employer and employe problems of the day, in which these Conventions are a potent influence, require the energetic support of all.

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION BY THE NATIONAL FOUNDERS' ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL METAL TRADES ASSOCIATION IN THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS AND THEIR WORKMEN.

ON THE PACIFIC COAST.

Talk of Building a Substantial and Effective Protective Institution for all Employers on the Pacific Coast Including San Francisco.

Under the heading, "Special Correspondence," dated San Francisco, February 19th, the Los Angeles Times reports:

"The officers of the California Metal Trades Association at their monthly meeting advocated the organizing of an employers association of the entire Pacific Coast as the first step in the proposed campaign for the inauguration of the non-union shop. Already the employers are talking of building the exposition with non-union labor and it is believed that the labor unions will be forced to take a back seat when active work on the exposition buildings is begun."

As yet there is no tangible evidence to show that the California Metal Trades Association means by such notice that it is ready to establish the open shop, not to mention the non-union shop. It is more than likely the unions which are supposed to "take notice" will view the above announcement with more amusement than alarm, and leaders will point out that it is but an echo of a similar declaration made by officers or members of the same Association in May, 1907, which declaration ended in a most

prompt acceptance of an agreement offered by the Metal Trades unions conceding the closed shop.

That agreement has been roundly cussed and profoundly regretted ever since it was signed. Moreover, doleful toned dispatches from San Francisco depicting an enormous loss to the business and commerce of that city, for which the strangle hold of the labor unions was blamed, have been sent out in volumes. But despite all these announcements, the industry throttling agreement of 1907 has lately been renewed through the medium of one of union labor's unique institutions-the San Francisco Concilliation Board.

History Not Forgotten.

The outburst of organizing sentiment displayed by San Francisco early in 1907, which subsided as soon as the real necessity had disappeared, is history not forgotten, and it will be but natural for the good business men of the North Pacific Coast cities to view skeptically any formation offered by their more southern neighbors. In May, 1907, the North Pacific Coast metal manufacturers called for a conference of kindred employers embracing the entire Pacific slope. A conference was held, able representatives from Los Angeles and San Francisco appeared and acquiesced to the general scope and purposes of resisting the unreasonable demands and closed shop ideas of the Metal Trades Unions, but, when it came to amalgamation of all the employers of metal trade labor, Los Angeles demurred, because it already had absolute non-union. conditions resulting from a conflict with labor unions of every description, in which Los Angeles employers were victorious alone and unaided, neither asking for nor receiving help. On that account Los Angeles was not considered further as a factor in the main plan.

Up to the near approach of the convention mentioned.

above, it was believed the San Francisco branch was in favor of and would take a leading part in the joining of all the coast cities. Then came the advice that San Francisco had surrendered to union domination, and its failure to live up to expectations was a sore disappointment. However, the North Coast cities proceeded unfalteringly, and a strong protective organization covering the States of Washington and Oregon is the result.

Experience with present day unionism and successful resistance to its radical and anarchistic tendencies is much the same whether in Maine or California, and we predict that if San Francisco really wants its labor unions to respect its employers associations, the latter should first perfect an organization that protects and that too before offering any plan of organization to other cities, especially those which are already maintaining employers associations of the effective and wholesome character of those existing in Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle; otherwise it will be generally believed that San Francisco will suffer still greater loss to commerce and business, perhaps human life. There is a vast difference between non-union and open shops according to orthodox unionism. Union disciples are not permitted to work in strictly non-union shops, excepting certain picked men with whom the criminal courts are constantly dealing and who are sent into non-union shops to surreptitiously unionize them.

Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett and Bellingham have long ago declared themselves favorable to one comprehensive open shop employers' association for the Pacific Coast, and, although past performances and achievements of San Francisco cause speculation as to how straight that city will stand under her existing fetters, coupled with the added load the unions will demand when it comes to breaking ground for her great exhibition, there is hope that the propaganda of a comprehensive Pacific Coast Employers' Asso