By the time the September issue of the Magazine is in the hands of our readers, the Delegates to the Tenth Annual Convention of the International Association will be assembled in convention in the city of Detroit.

In this issue a complete list of the delegates to the convention, in so far as they have been reported to Headquarters, is published. In looking over the list, we find the most prominent workers of the organization are represented, and from this it would be judged that for intelligence and ability, they will compare favorably with those of any previous convention. The outlook for a thoroughly representative gathering is good, despite the fact that several of our local unions have been engaged for months in a contest with the A. B. Co. and some of the firms connected with the Erectors' Association.

It is to be hoped that the Tenth Annual convention will be recorded as fruitful of

ment however, it may not be amiss to say that something more than a convention is necessary. A gathering of this kind can but legislate and formulate laws that will be beneficial to the membership as a whole. After this duty has been performed, it remains for the rank and file to support the legislation that is enacted and to give to the officers elected, whoever they may be, the consideration and attention they deserve, in order that their administration may be marked by an advance for each and every member of the International Association of Bridge & Structural Iron Workers.

Owing to the fact that President and Secretary Treasurer will be at Detroit from September 12th until October 1st, it will be impossible to attend to business with as much dispatch as is customary, and it is to be hoped that any temporary delay will be overlooked. Arrangements are made for the forwarding of all first class mail to Detroit. No change should be made in making remittances of money or express orders. Make them payable at Cleveland as usual.

From all reports received at Headquarters, the general situation throughout the country in the erection industry is better at the present time than it has been for some months past. This would appear to be a vindication of the action of the Executive Board taken in the early part of the year when they decided to allow sub-contractors to proceed with their work. All indications point to the fact, as the reports of the officers to the convention will show, that despite the determined opposition that has been offered the International Association by the Employers and their allied interests, it (the International Association), is in as good, if not better condition, than it was at the commencement of the controversies which are now in existence. The financial reports will show that we have been able to maintain our standing in spite of the most determined opposition, and what we have been able to do for a year, we should be able to continue indefinitely.

Prosperous conditions are being reported from time to time; owing to the fact that such reports are being received from several localitis, we are led to believe that this prosperity is general, and will continue for some time to come. This condition of affairs is noticeable particularly in the South and West. Most of

our local unions in these localities are continually reporting an abundance of work and a shortage of men. San Francisco, in particular, is in need of both inside and outside

men.

The attention of our readers is called to the numerous advertisements which appear in this issue of the Magazine. An effort has been made to make the Convention Number a creditable one, and the advertisements contained therein, have, in no small measure, contributed to this end. Such being the case, we earnestly request our readers to pay particular attention to the Business Establishments that have shown their good will toward us in a very substantial manner. If there is any way in which we can reciprocate for these favors, we should have no hesitation in so doing. Again, we request you to pay particular attention to the advertisers whose names appear in this issue of the Magazine.

As the time for the elections approach, the interest of the working men of the country, particularly organized workmen, increases. They are anxious to ascertain the results, particularly in districts where candidates are seeking re-election in spite of their continued opposition to organized labor. It is almost a foregone conclusion that all the candidates will not be elected, that are favorable to, or have been endorsed by the American Federation of Labor or its affiliated organizations.

There is a possibility that nothing but defeat is in store for us in this, our initial step. toward electing representatives who will take a firm and determined stand for the workingmen of the country; be that as it may, we should bear in mind that all movements, must of necessity have a small beginning, and that those institutions that have had the most determined opposition and the greatest number of set-backs, are, today the strongest and most progressive; a word of advice to the weakhearted may not be out of place. If victory does not crown this, the initial step, we should not become faint-hearted, but should appear more determined than ever to correct or eliminate the causes that have tended toward our temporary set-back. We should realize that anything that is worth fighting for, is not to be obtained by the workingmen now-a-days, without determined opposition.

The Manufacturers' Association, Citizens' Alliance and Employers' Associations are leaving no stone unturned to, on the one hand secure legislation, and on the other to interpret

it to suit their own particular interests. Such being the case, it will not do for us to stand idly by, simply because a temporary defeat has been sustained. Our motto should be "Upward and Onward;" and we can rest assured that ultimately, our efforts will be crowned with success.

The enforcement of the eight-hour day, which was supposed to take place a short time ago, appears to have resolved itself into a sort of a farce. In the last issue of the Magazine, mention was made of the fact that two erection firms have been proceeded against for violating the eight-hour day in the District of Columbia. Both concerns were fined twenty-five dollars each, and as far as we are able to learn, there was no restriction made by the court whereby the Companies that had been fined, would have to cease violating the law.

It is apparent that a company will have no fear of such punishment as is mentioned above. While they are laying themselves liable to such a small and inadequate penalty, they are enabled, by their violation of the law, to earn ten-fold what the fine will amount to.

The Department of Justice has recently made rulings that are far-fetched and tend to, in a large measure, make the present eight hour law ineffective. The decision in brief is, that work done for the army or work done on war vessels, under contract with private persons or corporations is not subject to the eight-hour law; but very little objection can be offered by us against rulings and decisions of this kind. The corporations and business interests of the country have, for years past, paid particular attention as to who would be elected as a congressman from this district, senator from that state, and judge for this or that particular bench; and it is no more than reasonable to expect that persons so selected, will consider themselves under certain obligations to their creators. Until such time as we pay more attention to the selection of a person or persons who are either making or interpreting the written law, we can expect the decisions to be against us in nearly every instance. Of late several decisions have been handed down by courts, in various sections of the country that are more favorable than formerly, to labor organizations. We can

attribute these favorable decisions to but one thing; and that is, that the organized workmen are beginning to realize how absolutely necessary it is to fight every unjust decision

and every injunction to the bitter end. This determined opposition coupled with the statement that more attention is to be paid to the selection of judicial candidates, has undoubtedly had some weight in influencing the men on the bench to look at the question under consideration, in a fair and impartial way.

Collier's Weekly has much to say from time to time on the important questions of the day. Speaking editorially, from time to time, it has much to say relative to organized labor. Some of the statements made would lead a person to believe they were favorably inclined toward workingmen, were it not for the fact the very next issue will contain a tirade of abuse, that is entirely uncalled for, against organized labor and its staunchest friends.

In the issue of August 4th, they have taken particular pains to take a fall out of Mr. Hearst and his ambitions, refers to his "boot-licking" of every labor union, under every circumstance, and states further that such action "is less for journalistic gain than for strengthening his political position." We should like to know since when it has become a crime to strengthen one's political position, either by journalism or by good hard American dollars. Both methods have been in use by the "captains of Industry" for several years past, as recent developments have shown beyond the peradventure of a doubt.

Mr. Hearst may have ulterior methods in catering to the unions, but the fact remains that he has been very consistent along these lines; and in a journalistic way, such stand has been very detrimental to him from a financial point of view, for the simple reason that his enemies, both business and political, have attempted to bankrupt his various publications by the withdrawal of advertising matter and other similar nefarious practices.

The issue above referred to, also speaks very disparagingly of the members of our New York organizations, and the statements made, readily show they are either very biased, or that the writer is not familiar with the real situation surrounding the question under discussion. We are pleased to accept the former, owing to the fact that the affair mentioned ...as given considerable prominence in the New York "Press" and the coroner's verdict practically exonerated our men, and placed the blame, if any, upon the Construction Com

pany.

In concluding the attack the article states, "nothing would do more for the cause of labor in the eyes of impartial citizens than the

expulsion from the Federation of a union whose record is so black."

We will wait with considerable impatience to see if Collier's will recommend the expulsion of the Milwaukee Avenue Savings Bank of Chicago and the Philadelphia Trust Company, from the Financial Federation for their recent "business" transactions.

In spite of all this, we are willing to give Collier's credit for anything deserving, and heartily approve of the following which appeared recently:

"The dollar subscription scheme for raising the sinews of oratory and the other funds for such additional machinery of peruasion as is deemed necessary to elect a Republican Congress this fall excites general approbation, mingled here and there with amiable amusement, and occasionally scoffing derision on the part of those who are either incredulous or malicious. Chairman Sherman of the committee shows an engaging frankness in taking the public into his confidence. He tells with enthusiasm that out of some thousands of newspapers which he asked to print his appeal for dollar subscriptions, nearly all complied. From day to day, he announces distirguished signatures to dollar checks, and prints the letters of the President and of Governor Higgins. But will he be just a little more frank? Will he say that voluntary gifts of a dollar each will be the only means used to raise funds? Suppose, for example, the President of the Waltham Watch Company should write Mr. Sherman a letter saying: In profound gratitude for the Dingley Tariff, which puts a duty of over twenty-five per cent on watches, and enables me, together with three other firms, practically to monopolize the watch industry in the United States, to sell my watches to Americans for fiftv per cent more than I charge to Englishmen, and to pay enormous dividends on my heavily watered stock, I hereby enclose my check for twenty-five thousand dollars to be used for the election of Congressmen whom I can rely on not to disturb the duty on watches.' If Chairman Sherman should receive such a letter as this, would he feel it incumbent on him to send back twenty-four thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars? Happily the President is taking an active and perhaps directing interest' in the functions of the Congressional Committee; and this is a gratifying assurance to those who do not approve the fat-frying methods of Chairman Sherman's predecessor, Babcock."

The above is very good; but when it comes to speaking of labor, that is, organized labor, Collier's is willing to straddle the proposition, and the burden of their complaint is generally against, and not for the Unions.