Nos. 44, 47 and 88 of Cincinnati, was taken up and after a thorough discussion, it was moved and seconded that a member of the Executive Board be sent to Cincinnati to endeavor to secure an agreement between No. 44 and No. 88. This failing, No. 44 is to give all finishers to No. 88, and see that the Cincinnati Iron League lives up to the agreement secured by No. 44.

If No. 88 is continued as a Finishers Local, No. 47 is to be amalgamated with No. 88. All structural work is to be done by No. 44. All finishing work is to be done by No. 88. The motion was carried.

The Executive Board approved of the present form of transfer. Davis desired to be recorded as voting in the negative.

President McSorley, of the Lathers' International Union, appeared before the Board and suggested that a committee from the Board meet a committee from the Lathers and make an effort to reach a settlement of the controversy now on between the two organizations. Committees were instructed to meet at Io a. m. Saturday.

It was decided that if the New York District Council did not deputize a man to solicit financial aid, the International Association would take such step.

The balance of the afternoon was taken up in considering the situation in various localities, and arranging ways and means for bringing the present contest with the American Bridge Company and Erectors' Association to a successful termination.

At 6:30 p. m. the Board adjourned.

Saturday, July 21, 1906.

The Executive Board was called to order by President Ryan at 8 a. m. The Executive Board discussed a communication from No. 28 relative to the Virginia Bridge & Iron Company of Roanoke, Va. It was moved and seconded that a member of the Executive Board be instructed to visit the above named company. Carried.

Moved and seconded that Bro. J. J. McCray be delegated on the above mission. Motion was carried.

A communication from Local No. 79, was read relative to funds that are tied up owing to claim of a former Secretary, J. H. Holland.

President Ryan, who was at Norfolk, explained conditions in detail. It was moved and seconded that No. 79 be notified to secure bonded officers for the handling of their funds, and the International Association will then

take steps to release the funds of No. 79 which are now tied up. Carried.

A communication from No. 40 for financial aid was read, and the Secretary-Treasurer was instructed to notify No. 40 of the action already taken by the Board, recommending that the New York District Council send a man on the road to solicit aid, and that aside from this, the Executive Board would continue to extend assistance in the future as they have in the past, to the fullest extent.

It was moved and seconded that SecretaryTreasurer be instructed to give the President check for one thousand ($1,000) dollars for the New York District Council. Motion was carried.

Secretary-Treasurer asked the Board as to whether it was decided by the Board at their January meeting to allow Local Unions to apply their international obligations to defray local expenses.

The Board unanimously replied, that such was not the case.

In connection with the appeal of No. 13 for assistance, the Secretary-Treasurer was instructed to notify No. 13 that no financial aid could be rendered at this time. The Board decided, however, that the Secretary-Treasurer would be instructed to notify No. 13 that the five hundred ($500) dollars which was loaned to No. 13 in Januarv. 1905, would be considered a donation to our Philadelphia organization.

Bros. Clancy and McGovern who had previously been appointed as a committee to meet the Metal Lathers, report that they have met President McSorley and Secretary-Treasurer Brandt of the Lathers' Organization, but it was impossible for them to reach an understanding as to the jurisdiction claims of the two organizations.

Word was received from New York City that an important special meeting was to be held the next day, Sunday, the 22nd inst., and as the Board was of the opinion that it would be wise for President Ryan to be in New York City to attend this meeting, it was decided to adjourn sine die.

Respectfully submitted,

J. J. MCNAMARA,
Secretary-Treasurer.

SUMMER RESORT CONFIDENCES. Mrs. Kicker-I'm afraid my husband must be having a good time; he didn't send me any check.

Mrs. Bocker-I'm afraid mine must be hav ing a better time; he sent one without being asked.-New York Sun.

Is your Local Union making any preparation for Detroit? Elsewhere in this issue of the Journal will be found a letter from Local Union No. 25, setting forth some of the details relative to the Convention. It would be well for persons, intending to visit Detroit, to read same carefully.

In making preparation for the Convention we should not overlook the contest now on between the International Association on the one hand and the A. B. Co. and the open shop element of the Erectors' Association on the other. We should bear in mind that "everything comes to those who hustle while they wait;" and we need not let a little thing like a Convention interfere with our battle for our rights.

Circular Letter No. 84 is published in this issue under the head of Official News, and it would be well for all members to pursue same carefully. It gives much information as to the moves that have been made and are

very flattering news of the scarcity of practical Iron Workers in several localities, and aside from this, several of the correspondents to this issue of the Magazine, complain of the scarcity of practical men. This is not confined

to any particular locality. One cry comes from New Haven, another from Baltimore, one from New Orleans, and another from "Frisco," and still another from our prosperous Local across the border, No. 87, located at New Liverpool, Canada.

Under such conditions it should be an easy matter for us to continue the present contest indefinitely.

Our members should read President Ryan's report in this issue. It contains some wholesome advice.

The investigations of the good and bad points of the corporations goes steadily on. There doesn't seem to be any "let-up" for the customary summer vacation, for at the present time the government officials are endeavoring to correct long standing abuses that have been indulged in by that king of all corporations, The Standard Oil Co.

The Railroads have been forced to accept a rate regulation bill that is not exactly to their liking, this is something out of the ordi

narv.

The Meat Trust has been forced to accept a "Pure Food Bill" that their paid lobbyists have not been able to amend as they would like this is also out of the ordinary.

The only corporation of any prominence that has not been brought into the limelight, is the U. S. Steel Corporation. However, there are mutterings along this line, and it is to be hoped that they will be productive of results.

If Upton Sinclair carries out his threat to investigate some of the abuses practiced by the above named corporation, it is a certainty he can secure information in Homestead, McKeesport, Braddock, Rankin, Lorain, Joliet and South Chicago, that will make interesting reading.

In a general way the question that is being most talked about now among Union men, is the decision of the American Federation of Labor to take an active part in politics.

While we may differ as to the course to be pursued to obtain results, the consensus of opinion is, that this move has been too long delayed. It is only by getting at the question in a practical way that the weak methods can

be discovered and eliminated. One thing is certain, and that is, that the decision of the Federation has caused several people to sit up and take notice; and it is our sincere wish that good results will be obtained from the start. At any rate we feel positive that the proposed course will eventually prove successful.

In years gone by it has been customary for the Manufacturers' Association and other Employers Organizations to pay particular attention to legislation. They could not see where such course was at all wrong, or where any objection could be offered to their lobbying for this or that particular bill, and if a question did occasionally arise, they justified themselves by saying they were protecting "their business interests."

The declaration of the American Federation of Labor however, to take an active part in politics has caused capitalistic organs to denounce such course as anarchistic and fraught with the greatest danger to the best interests of the country.

As stated above we feel that the American Federation of Labor and its affiliated organizations can do much to correct existing abuses. Under the head of "Labors Political Policy," the recent issue of the "Civic Federationist," explains the situation in a few well chosen words when it says:

In a recent issue of the Railway World the statement is made, under the caption "Labor Leaders Differ About Politics," that President Gompers, of the American Federation of Labor, appeals to union men to take an active part in politics, while President Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers of America, says that to carry politics into the crafts would be to create discord and endanger the organization. The above is one illustration of the general misinterpretation which has been given to the political program of the American Federation of Labor as being the preliminary step to the launching of a national labor party. It is true the leaders of the American Federation of Labor are appealing to their followers to take an active part in politics, but not as members of a distinct and separate party. As we understand President Gomper's announcement at this stage of the movement, they intend first "to help their friends and punish their enemies" in every case where this is practicable. But in cases where they have only "a choice between enemies," if it is found expedient they will nominate men of their own principles on independent, labor or some other ticket which will lend itself to their interests.

The political policy of the labor leaders is very similar to that of the Municipal Voters' League of Chicago, which has resulted in changing a notoriously bad city council to a fairly representative and decent body. The League only found it necessary to secure the nomination of independent candidates in a very few instances. The idea is a practicable one. It is as legitimate for organized labor to look after its interests as it is for organized employers or any other group interest to work for their own advantage. The National Manufacturers' Association, if one may judge from the literature with which its energetic secretary is bombarding the manufacturers of the country, is carrying on a political campaign along somewhat the same lines.

Press reports state that Speaker Cannon and Secretary Taft intend to deliver at least one speech each, in the district represented by Representative Littlefield. Littlefield, it will be remembered is from Maine. and has at all times been very active against any legislation that effected labor; but on the other hand, favored legislation that was introduced by, or would be advantageous to the Manufacturers' Associations or its allied interests.

As Secretary Taft is being mentioned from time to time as a receptive candidate for the presidency, it would be well for all labor men to be on the look-out to see just what part he will take in the Maine campaign. As for Cannon, we are of the opinion that if the Union Miners of Illinois, who are in the majority in his district but do their part, he will have his hands full in his own district without going to Maine.

Then again, it will be well to remember that Secretary Taft entered Ohio and spoke in favor of the re-election of Gov. Herrick not long ago, and what happened to Herrick is too well known to need repetition at this time.

The recent decision of the American Federation of Labor to engage actively in politics was productive of immediate results.

While an eight-hour law has been on the statute books for years, it was a law in name only, as the heads of departments surrounded it with so much red tap and were so slow in making any move to enforce it, that it was not worth the space it occupied. But lo, and behold! recently word has gone forth from the powers that be, that the law must be enforced.

Prosecutions have already been started against firms and contractors who have been violating the eight-hour law on government work.

These prosecutions are interesting to the International Association owing to the fact that two of the firms against whom the prosecution have been started, are the Penn Bridge Co. of Beaver Falls, Pa., and the District Construction Co. of the District of Columbia.

Both firms are engaged in the erection of buildings and bridges, and have made a specialty of securing government work around forts, navy-yards and reservations.

They have been working non-union men ten hours per day, and the outcome of these two cases will be watched with interest by the International Association.

The firms that took an active part in the Ohio "Bridge Pool" are now engaged in repaying the tax payers in a small measure at least, for over-charges they have been securing for the past six or seven years. All indications would lead a person to believe that they have given up trying to secure any exemption in a legal way.

Only a few days ago, the King Bridge Co. agreed without a trial to refund thirty-five thousand ($35,000) dollars to Lorain County on a contract that amounted in all to one hundred and forty thousand ($140,000) dollars.

If a company agrees to refund thirty-five thousand dollars on a one hundred and forty thousand dollar contract, the question naturally occurs, what amount of money has been illegally secured by the Ohio "Bridge Pool" on all its contract during the past seven years?

In order that Zion City should continue to receive its share of notoriety, the operators in the lace mills recently went on strike for higher wages.

They have been getting 13 cents a rack and demanded 15 cents. After consultation the superintendent not only granted the demand, but raised the scale to 16 cents.

Recently bids were asked for repairing the court house at Scranton, Pa. None of the members of the Builders' Exchange put in a bid because the commissioners required that only union labor should be employed.

The Builders' Exchange threatens to go into court to have the contract containing the union labor clause annulled.

There are enough union men in Scranton to see to it that this particular clause is not annulled; and if it is, they should see to it that legislation is enacted that will legalize such a clause in the future.

"If you came as individual, I should not treat with you; but since you are unionized as you ought to be, I shall give your demands consideration." The above statement is attributed to the superintendent of Motive Power of the Ontario & Western R. R., and was made when a committee, representing the machinists, called upon him with a request for a nine-hour day and 10 per cent in wages. The 10 per cent increase was granted, but the nine-hour day was refused for the present. The above points an excellent moral.

Today the individual who attempts to bargain for the sale of his labor singly and alone, will receive but scant consideration.

All particulars united with the Pure Food Law have been made public, and leaves nothing to be desired but enforcement.

It now remains to be provided that no opportunity will be given for evasion of the law by dishonesty or negligence.

A fact well worth mentioning, one that points out to what lengths the large corporations will go to influence public officials occurred during the past month. For years the Carnegie and Bethlehem Steel Companies have had a monopoly on furnishing armor plate to the government for battle ships.

That their prices were exorbitant, was well known to every castual observer.

The Midvale Company has been endeavoring for some time past to secure part of this business. They took steps to go into the manufacture of armor plate on an extensive scale, built an extensive plant, secured competent and practical workmen, and recently submitted a bid to the government for armor plate, far below the bids of the Carnegie and Bethlehem companies.

The Secretary of the Navy committed himself by saying that as the Midvale Co. was the lowest bidder, he would award the entire contract to them. Then the other fellow got busy.

Mr. Chas. M. Schwab of the Bethlehem Steel Co. hastened to Washington to consult with the naval authorities.

President A. C. Dinkey of the Carnegie Co. protested against awarding the entire contract to the Midvale Co. Fancy a bidder for government work protesting against a contract being awarded to the lowest bidder, when said low bidder is ready and willing to fulfill the contract secured, and furnish ample bond for the successful and faithful fulfillment of same.

Still Dinkey, Schwab and men like them.

will pose as defenders of the National honor. Of course, not as much so as they did in 1896 and 1900.

Recent exposures in corporations and insurance companies have forced them to draw in their horns to a certain extent; but when it comes to some nice juicy graft in an armor plate deal, they cannot help themselves, but have to rush to the front. At any rate when the Carnegie and Bethlehem companies saw that the Midvale Co. had the bulge on them, they practically admitted their extortion, and agreed that if the contract would be divided they would furnish armor plate for the same price as the Midvale concern. Fancy that for a business proposition.

If the bid of the Midvale Co. had been high we wonder if Schwab, Dinkev and Co. would have sat idly by and allowed the Midvale Co. to make a proposition to reduce its bid after it had found out that the price quoted was too high to secure the contract? We think not.

Another argument advanced by Schwab, Dinkey & Co. was, that if the entire contract was awarded to the Midvale Co. (the lowest bidder) they would be forced to shut down their armor plate plants, their force of skilled workmen would become scattered, etc., etc.

As a general proposition it is immaterial whether they shut down their plant or not; or whether their skilled workmen become scattered. It is up to them to submit bids under the provisions of which they will obtain the contracts. Failing to do this, they should take their medicine the same as a less favored manufacturer; one who does not stand so well with the powers that be, owing to the fact that he is not financially able to contribute as largely to the campaign funds as is Schwab, Dinkey & Co.

In spite of the bids submitted, the work was divided among the three companies, and the Midvale Steel Co. was deprived of the business to which it was justly entitled. Of course, it is some satisfaction to see the steel monopolv brought to its knees and beg for some of the business of an independent rival; for this is the attitude of the Armor Plate Trust, but it also presents the spectacle of the U. S. Government compromising with one of the most notorious corporations within its borders. This is, indeed, a sorry spectacle.

In dividing the contract, the "square deal" policy of the present administration receives a shock from which it will not soon recover.

The Midvale Co. won the contract by enterprise and thrift, and was justly entitled to said

contract in its entirety; and we venture the assertion that had the order been inverted, and the Midvale Co. been the highest bider, no favors would have been shown it. Its expen- ' sive plant could have been shut down, its skilled workmen scattered throughout the country, and the company placed in a position where it would have had to suffer other pecuniary loss; but that would be no concern of the Carnegie or the Bethlehem Steel Cos. Verily, this is a great country and Washington is a place where they play great games.

It is believed that the last chapter has been written or will soon be written in the domestic affairs of W. Ellis Corey, the prseident of the U. S. Steel Corporation. We have a faint idea that Mr. Corey would be satisfied if this chapter had been written long ago. The notoriety attained has been anything but favorable to him.

In speaking of this affair recently, the New York Times said editorially: It is reported that one of Corey's associates has said that these have nothing to do with him as a "businessman." That is a reckless and utterly erroneous view. A businessman should be scrupulous in the observance of contracts. He should be faithful in all trusts. He should set his honor above all selfish interests, and immeasurably above the gratification of his personal passions or desires. He should be sensitive to the nature of an obligation, clear in the understanding of it, firm in its discharge, ready to incur any necessary sacrifice rather than default in it. Corey does not meet these conditions. By his established record he not only fails to observe them, but ignores, nay, scouts them. He has wantonly violated the most sacred and binding contract a man can make. He has wronged those it was his peculiar duty to protect and cherish. He has treated his honor as of no worth, and the most solemn obligation as "dicers' oaths." If these things have nothing to do with him as a “businessman," what are the qualifications required in "businessmen ?" Can they be bankrupt in virtue, decency, self-respect; can they repudiate their promises, fail in their trusts, desert their wives and offspring, and still be trusted and respected in business?

Our object is not to continue in this strain as far as domestic affairs are concerned, it is only in a business way that we are interested.

What has happened to Corey recently, is only a repetition of history to a certain extent; Corey owes his present high position to the fact that he was ready and willing to cast