Sparta.-S. W. Skelly: Organized trades in fair shape. Street laborers advanced wages to 25 cents per hour and eighthour day. Teamsters have obtained raise to $4 per day of eight hours, without strike. Painters reorganized during the month. Staunton.-Joseph W. Rizzie: All trades are well organized and making progress. Clerks' union is taking on new activity and plan to thoroughly organize the lady clerks in this city. Condition of organized labor is much superior to the condition of the unorganized. Blacksmiths have formed union, and barbers and bricklayers are organizing. Taylorville.-Geo. King: Organized labor is steadily employed. Bartenders of Taylorville and teamsters of Stonington have organized during the month. West Frankfort.-C. E. McCollom: Condition of organized trades good. Teamsters' union and a trades council have been organized since last report. Have a federal labor union under way. INDIANA. Brookville.-A. W. Geis: Organized labor is in very good shape, but the condition of the unorganized workers is poor. We are booming the union labels continually. East Chicago.-John J. Sullivan: Condition of organized labor is the best we have had in a number of years. Work is steady in all trades, with a shortage of men in some lines. Employes in a powder plant at Etna were locked out because of organizing. They are holding together as one man. Indianapolis.-Geo. A. Nolte: The condition of organized labor on the railroads is far superior to the condition of the unorganized. We have succeeded in renewing agreement with Pere Marquette Railroad, with changes which mean much improved conditions. We ex pect to have conference with the K. & M. Railroad where the federated crafts will try to renew agreement. We secured the first federated agreement with this system August last year. A union of railway carmen has been formed on the B. & O. during the month. Have a number of new unions of carmen under way. Logansport.-Dora Smith: All organized trades in this city report satisfactory conditions and increased interest all along the line. Work is steady in all industries. In several instances the employers are paying above the union wage scale. This is particularly true in the building trades. The Trades Assembly is making great preparations for Labor Day and the unions expect to celebrate the day on a grand scale this year. All union labels are well patronized. South Bend.-J. W. Peters: Organized labor is making steady progress and prospects are growing brighter every day. Work is steady, considering the depression which seems to prevail. There have been several industrial disturbances, but invariably the organized workers have been benefited in wages, hours, and conditions. We are preparing a fitting celebration of Labor Day this year, and expect to have some good speakers present. IOWA. Des Moines.-S. O. Carter: Organized labor is in good shape here. All organized trades working steadily. There has been a wage increase all along the line in organized trades without strikes. Have three new unions under way. Mason City.-Herbert Miller: Organized labor has the best of conditions, but the condition of unorganized labor in many cases is deplorable. Work is steady. Retail clerks, plasterers, and painters are organizing. We are preparing for a good Labor Day demonstration. Mystic.-D. M. Van Dike: Conditions are good. There are but very few workers here who do not belong to a trade union. The unions are holding their own. KANSAS. Independence.-W. W. Roach: Organized workers are in the majority here. Painters' union settled their strike; nearly all the shops have signed up. Condition of organized labor good. LOUISIANA. Baton Rouge.-Aug. Helmke: Barbers' union has improved hours and increased wages about 15 per cent. Bartenders increased wages 20 per cent and carpenters 10 per cent. Tinners are out and strike is being arbitrated. Have a plumbers' union under way. Employers' Liability law and Child Labor law were passed by the State Legislature. Lake Charles.-J. M. Theall: Condition of organized trades is 50 per cent better than those of the unorganized. Work is fairly steady. Musicians are organizing. Good results have been gained in organization work in the past three or four months. MAINE. Bangor.-Joseph F. Carr: Organized labor in good shape, and even the unorganized workers are in fair shape, because of the scarcity of help in the building industries. Building laborers are organizing. A federal labor union was organized during the month. Good work is done for the union labels. Biddeford.-Arthur H. Hevey: Organized labor in fair shape, with better prospects than for some time. Work is steady. There is splendid demand for all union labels. Portland.-Joseph H. De Costa: Most trades have been steadily employed. Painters' union, as result of strike, secured increase of 25 cents per day. Woodland.-Paul Marcoux: Organized labor in prosperous shape. There are but few unorganized workers in this vicinity. Work is steady. Increased wages and union shop conditions have been secured without trouble. A central labor union has been formed here and will do good work. MASSACHUSETTS. Dorchester.-Philip J. Byrne: In the cities in Montana where I've traveled the past month, I found conditions of organized trades satisfactory. Nearly all trades there have a union. There seems to be a better recognition of the labor movement and the principles for which the American Federation of Labor stands. Framingham.-V. B. Vaughan: All organized labor in good shape. Work is steady and all trades are busy. Carpenters increased wages May first 5 cents per hour. Masons also secured increase of 5 cents per hour. All organized trades working steadily. Employers' Liability act has been passed by the Legislature. Teamsters, electricians, and clerks are organizing. Fitchburg.-R. E. Anderson: Stationary firemen obtained increase of from 10 to 25 cents per day. Papermakers increased wages 10 cents per day. All unions affiliated with the central body are in good shape and showing great interest in the coming convention of the State Federation of Labor this month. Malden.-J. G. Cogill: Condition of organized labor good. All trades steadily employed. Carpenters of Reading organized during the month. Middleboro.-W. S. Anderson: All organized trades working steadily. Conditions very good in all lines at present time. New Bedford.-Thomas B. Ryan: Condition of organized building trades fair. Painters' union obtained Saturday half-holiday in some shops. All contractors are being forced to live up to the Eight-Hour law in this State. North Abington.-W. P. Mackey: Labor conditions good. Union men are steadily employed. Local agreements and arbitration have secured for the workers better conditions and higher wages. No strikes or troubles to report. Norwood.-John J. Fitzhenry: Organized labor in good shape. The forty-four Minneapolis.-E. G. Hall, John D. Chubbuck, and Frank Fisher: In all parts of the State we find the conditions of organized workers better than those of the unorganized. The workers are advancing the cause of unionism in all cities and towns and much constructive work is being accomplished, in the face of combined efforts of opposition to organized labor. Building mechanics are steadily employed, and in the Twin Cities, especially, is there good demand for mechanics. Electrical workers of St. Paul and this city have added about 100 new members in the past month. Carpenters, sheet metal workers, and painters were organized since last report. Brewery workers of East Grand Forks, Minn., and plumbers of Grand Forks, N. Dak., are now on a good working basis. Electrical workers and tailors of St. Cloud are organizing. Winona.-H. W. Libby: There is steady improvement in all organized trades, both as regards membership and working conditions. All building and railroad trades are working full time and there is demand for skilled mechanics. Through peaceful conference, all building trades have secured advance in wages. MISSOURI. Marceline.-Geo. R. McGregor: Wages have advanced without strike. Condition of organized labor is good. City employes at electric light and water plants have gained a reduction of hours from nine and ten hours per day to eighthour day without reduction in pay. NEW JERSEY. Morristown.-A. B. Losey: Building trades have been fairly well employed. Plumbers are reorganizing. Condition of organized trades fair. New Brunswick.-Walter Reynolds: Labor conditions here are very good. Work is steady. Some of the State laws which went into effect this year, were of benefit to the working people. Trenton.-T. A. Thompson: A committee from the Mercer County Central Labor Union had a conference with the State, county, and city officials with a view to having the eight-hour law enforced on public works of all kinds. Contractors are at present working the ten-hour day and officials are taking steps to have all work done under the eight-hour law. Teamsters have gained in membership during the month. A union of textile workers is being organized at Yardley, Pa. NEW YORK. Brooklyn.-Rudolph Modest: The butcher workmen, although confronted with the hardest time for many years, are making slow but steady progress. All branches of the meat industry report dull business. Have unions of meatcutters under way at Hoboken and West Hoboken, Union Hill, and West New York. We are constantly agitating for market cards. Gloversville.-Chauncy Thayer: Organized labor in fair shape and steadily employed. Central body is well organized and nearly all local unions are affiliated. All union labels are patronized. Middletown.-A. M. Phillips: Electrical workers organized since last report. Organized trades in good shape. All union labels are demanded. Plattsburg.-Fred E. Rabideau: Masons and plasterers gained reduction of one hour per day without strike. They now work eight-hour day. Condition of organized trades fair. Unskilled laborers are organizing. Schenectady.-John J. Henley: The unions are making steady progress and the workers are reaping the benefit of organized effort. Building trades have had a fair season, and metal trades are picking up. Building laborers are asking for increased wages. Ice handlers and helpers organized and are making good headway. Coal handlers and helpers and general teamsters are organizing at this writing. Organized trades in good shape and steadily employed. Patternmakers are on strike for a minimum wage of 47% cents per hour. Union label league is making special campaign on behalf of the union labels. Composition roofers organized during the month. Several new unions are under way. Pomeroy-John W. McIntosh: Carpenters, painters, and decorators, stone brickmasons and clerks are organizing. No changes in working conditions since last report. Wellsville.-Frank Smurthwaite: Condition of organized labor continues to improve. Work is fairly steady. Four union men were elected to office in the recent election. Hope to report an organization of the painters in the near future. street work calls for eight-hour day and minimum wage of 25 cents per hour. Formerly they were paid $1.50 and $1.75 per day of ten hours. Federal labor union and barbers are organizing. Muskogee.-W. T. Maxwell: Mechanics in building trades and skilled industries are pretty well organized. About 90 per cent are union men. Retail clerks will probably organize shortly. PENNSYLVANIA. Bangor.-Jesse Van Syckle: Slate mill men's union is gaining in membership and influence. Work is steady. All union men demand the union labels. Charleroi.-John P. Ferry: Factories and mines are running full time. Central body is doing effective work for the painters, decorators, and carpenters. Laborers are scarce at this time. Wages ranging from $1.75 to $2 per day of nine hours, with the exception of Government work, which is on the eight-hour basis. All concessions this year have been gained without strike. Musicians organized with forty-two charter members. Cooks and waiters and barbers at Monongahela are organizing. Carbondale.-C. J. Rechsteiner: All branches of industry steadily employed. The silk workers in Mayfield since they organized gained advance of about 8 per cent and union shop clause in their written agreement, which also provides for another advance in wages in October. The united mine workers are growing rapidly in membership. Silk workers of Mayfield organized with a membership of 200. Franklin.-John S. Paulson: Wages and hours are satisfactory here. Condition of organized trades is decidedly superior to the condition of unorganized. All trades steadily employed. Hazleton.-Albert Walck: Condition of organized labor is very good. All trades steadily employed. Laborers organized union during the month. Am trying to get the hodcarriers in line and hope to report them organized next month. Lancaster.-Henry M. Tillbrook: Organized labor in prosperous condition. Each union here reports increased membership. State of employment fair in this locality. The union men of this vicinity have a member of their ranks as candidate for Congress in the coming election. Pottsville.-Jere Brennan: We have practically unionized the whole vicinity; making strong efforts to get the remaining unorganized workers in line. Their condition is poor. Organized trades in good shape and enjoying good conditions. Mine workers are in better shape now than they were before the suspension of work. Wages and conditions are better. There is splendid demand for the union labels in this section. Richland Center.-Edward H. Nace: Cigarmakers have inaugurated a campaign by which they are making gratifying gain in membership. The unorganized cigarmakers suffer a continuous round of obnoxious rules. Central labor A lot of work is being done here in street improvements on which the eight-hour State law applies. There is more work at this writing than for the past six months. Our legislative league has completed its canvass of legislative candidates, and we know what the attitude of each candidate is toward the interests of the workers. Corsicana.-C. F. Barnes: All organized trades in fair condition, and working full time. Plumbers secured eight hour day without strike. They formerly worked nine and ten hours per day. We do everything we can to push the union labels. Galveston.-E. W. Bock: Garment workers organized a union with forty members, last month. All organized labor in good shape, with the exception of the longshoremen who have their dull season at this time. Employment in the building industries is good, and all mechanics in those lines are busily employed. There is good demand for all union labels. Houston.-W. E. Carroll: Painters obtained increased wages without strike. Condition of organized labor fair, but unorganized workers are in poor shape. Electrical workers have affiliated and are in good shape now. Good demand for all union labels. San Antonio.-Wm. L. Hoefgen: Work in the building industries has beent airly steady. There is no immediate demand for men in any line and the alluring advertisements in northern and eastern papers should not be heeded. Painters obtained increase of 50 cents per day. Printers are negotiating a new job and newspaper scale. A slight increase for the handmen will be asked for. The men on strike on the Harriman railroad lines are standing firm and they are receiving the financial support of the central body and allied locals in this city. Waco.-John R. Spencer and B. F. Shearod: Employment has been irregular in the building industries, but is now improving, with good prospects for steady work. In other lines work has been steady. Unskilled laborers are unorganized and work under hard conditions with low wages and long hours. Brewery workers and bakers organized unions during the month. Preparations are being made for the celebration of Labor Day. An active union label campaign is on, headed by the Allied Printing Trades Council. Bar porters are organizing. Correspondents will please write on one side of the paper only, and address SAMUEL GOMPERS, Editor, Washington, D. C. All communications relating to finances and subscriptions should be addressed to FRANK MORRISON, Secretary, Washington, D. C. The publisher reserves the right to reject or revoke advertising contracts at any time. The editor will not be responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts. The American Federation of Labor is not sponsor for, nor interested in, any souvenir publication of any kind. Entered at Washington, D. C., post-office as secondclass matter. SUBSCRIPTION: Per Annum, Single copy, Executive Council, A. F. of L. SAMUEL GOMPERS, President. $1.00. 10 Cents. JAMES DUNCAN, First Vice-President. FRANK MORRISON, Secretary. ALLITO PRINTING TRADES UNION COUNCIL KATHINGTON HEADQUARTERS, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR, WASHINGTON, D. C., August 2, 1912. To All Organized Labor of America: Due to the rivalry and consequent antagonism existing in the carpenters' trade, by reason of the fact that two organizations of the trade, namely, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, each claiming jurisdiction over the same class of work, the situation was brought to the attention of the American Federation of Labor, which, for years, through its officers and representatives has endeavored to bring about unity, co-operation or amalgamation of the two organizations, but without success. Finally, at the Atlanta Convention of the American Federation of Labor, the committee to which this matter was referred, recommended, and the convention approved, that a conference between the representatives of the two organizations should be held within ninety days from the adjournment of the convention for the purpose of arranging a OF LABOR basis of amalgamation. That in case of disagreement upon the terms of amalgamation, the differences should be submitted to the President and the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor for a final decision, the decision to be rendered not later than June 1, 1912. That should the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners fail to amalgamate with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, either by mutual agreement, or upon the terms as decided by the American Federation of Labor Executive Council on or before July 1, 1912, that the charter of the Amalgamated Society should be revoked. This decision was adopted by a vote of 15,491 to 425. For the purpose of having the organizations themselves agree upon the terms of amalgamation, a conference was called of their respective representatives and held at the city of Washington, January 15-19, 1912. At the outset the representatives of the Amalgamated Society declined to enter into any conference to formulate terms of amalgamation, and it required the rendering of a decision by the President of the American Federation of Labor and the Chairman of the Adjustment Committee of the Atlanta Convention, which made report upon the subject to the convention, stating definitely and emphatically that a conference must be held prior to any further action on the part of the Executive Council. Instead of holding a conference as contemplated by the action of the Atlanta Convention, propositions were submitted in writing, resulting in failure to reach any definite plan, since each rejected the proposition of the other. The Executive Council, at its meeting in May, 1912, still believing that a conference should be held for the purpose of endeavoring to reach a conclusion upon the terms for amalgamation, invited the representatives of the United Brotherhood and the Amalgamated Society to meet in such conference, and directed that three officers of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor participate in that conference to be helpful in reaching terms of amalgamation. The representatives of the United Brotherhood appeared at the time and place for the conference. The representatives of the Amalgamated Society refused to send representatives. Hence, the conference was not held. The Secretary of the Amalgamated Society, in an official communication under date of May 29, 1912, declared that it was the duty of the President and the Executive Council to render a decision "without any further joint conferences of the representatives of the two organizations." Thereupon, the Executive Council, in conformity with the directions of the Atlanta Convention, decided the conditions under which the two organizations should become amalgamated. It should be said that these terms of amalgamation were broad and generous, and, in order that no effort might |