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LONDON, August 30, 1912.

HE British Trade Union Annual Congressopens on September 2 at Newport. It will be attended

by 502 delegates, representing 1,967,109 organized working men and women. This shows an increase in the numbers represented over last year of 304,976. At the same time there is a decrease of 21 in the number of delegates, and furthermore, as a result chiefly of amalgamations, fewer unions are represented. As, according to the latest board of trade figures, there are about 3,000,000 members of trade unions in this country, it will be seen that a large number, either compulsorily or voluntarily, are not represented at the annual convention. Altogether the increase in trade union membership last year was remarkable, the average gain being over 23 per cent. The previous largest increase was in 1907, when it was just under 14 per cent.

The premier position amongst individual unions is achieved by the seamen, whose union at the end of last year was three and a half times the size it was at the beginning of the year. The group of unions representing canal, dock, and riverside workers showed an increase of 187 per cent during the twelve months. General unskilled laborers' organizations nearly doubled their membership. Railwaymen's unions increased their membership by 60 per cent. The only appreciable decline is shown by the South Wales miners, who retrogressed 12 per cent.

Returning to the congress, there are no fewer than thirty-two resolutions down for discussion. The question of hours of labor will come up under a motion whereby the congress will instruct its parliamentary committee to draft a general eighthour bill to be brought before the House of Commons. Furthermore the campaign of local demonstrations to educate public opinion upon this question will also be urged. A wider resolution will urge that, in view of the continued increase in the cost of living, the congress declare in favor of all trade unions taking early and simultaneous action to obtain an increase of $1.25 per week for all grades of workers and to further reduce all working hours to forty-eight per week with a strict limitation of overtime.

Resolutions which will probably mean an important discussion have also been tabled on the

question of political action and direct action. The congress will be asked to reaffirm its support of working-class political action, and to declare for a larger share of representation, national and local, in view of the continued centralization of social and industrial questions in the hands of the government and local authorities. Those unions and delegates that are more in favor of what is known here as direct action and the general strike, will urge their respective theories.

Another resolution, which will probably secure unanimous support, is that calling for the amalgamation of present trade unions by industries and urging upon the parliamentary committee to call conferences of unions in the various industries to the end that there may eventually be only one union for each industry. This is a matter the building trades workers have taken special interest in, and they are already hard at work trying to combine the seventy odd unions coming under the building trades' category into one great centralized association. An interesting motion will be that of the steam engine makers who will seek once more to secure the congress's support for the abolition of the half-time system whereby children of school age are allowed to attend school only for half a day, putting in the rest of the day at work in the mills, etc. A purely political resolution will be put forward by the parliamentary committee proposing support for the government's new electoral reform bill which is to be produced next year. The resolution stipulates a number of things that the government must incorporate to secure labor support for the measure, one of these being female suffrage.

The London transport workers' strike came to a sudden and unexpected finish almost immediately after your correspondent's last letter was dispatched. The men had to accept defeat, but the victory for the employers was so expensive that it might almost be called a drawn battle. It is now known that the strike was originally precipitated before precautions had been taken to secure the co operation of other unions in the country. Furthermore, the strike took place hastily and was not allowed to mature in the way which was being arranged behind the scenes. The first steps were to be taken by the seamen and firemen, who were to inaugurate a national campaign for an increased manning scale for English ships, a proposition which, in view of the great "Titanic" disaster, must have secured public support. Then, in the event of trouble, the other transport trades were to have come in until the dispute became one of national importance. Instead of this well-laid plan being allowed to complete itself and choose its own date for inauguration, war was declared suddenly and in the wrong section of industry, as already detailed in the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST. Marvelous self-sacrifice and endurance were shown by the tens of thousands of poorly-paid men who struck.

British coal miners held a special conference on August 15 and 16, upon the question of the working of the wages boards set up under the Minimum Wage act. This act of legislation was passed, it will be remembered, at the time of the national coal strike of last spring and secured the calling off of the strike. The wages boards were to fix a minimum rate for coal getters in each mining district and it was practically understood that no rate was to be under $1.25 per day. Whilst the act has perhaps gone too far for the coal owners it has not gone far enough for the men. One result of the measure has been that in South Wales, where the men worked for many years under a monthly contract, they now work under a twenty-four hours' contract. With few exceptions no award has provided for paying $1.25 per day to adult workmen. Furthermore, the arrears to be paid under the award which was retroactive are not being paid with any promptitude. Many coal owners are coercing or bribing their men to contract outside the provisions of the act, either by dismissing them, or refusing them work or by offering increased tonnage rates or percentages. Generally grave dissatisfaction was shown at the conference and the executive committee of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain was empowered to convene another conference to deal with the difficulties. In the meantime it was resolved to render all possible assistance to any dis

trict that might be resisting any attempts on the part of owners to violate or evade the provisions of the act.

The annual convention of the United Textile Factory Workers' Association was held on July 29. President Mullin dealt in his speech mainly with the Insurance Act. Although perceiving ing that the measure contained faults, he expressed his satisfaction with it. In some other trade union quarters the act is regarded with much suspicion, The rest of the business of the conference was conducted in private, but the meeting pledged itself to support a forty-eight hours' bill and the abolition of fines in cotton mills.

The third triennial conference of the International Federation of Keramic Workers was opened in the British pottery district on August 26. Since this federation was formed six years ago international conventions have been held in France and Italy. The federation includes the pottery trade organizations of the main countries of Europe and the nine delegates present represented England, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and Denmark. The national reports presented were chiefly interesting for their references to the ravages of tuberculosis in the pottery industry in Germany. There 50 per cent of the deaths of pottery operatives were from diseases of the respiratory organs. No special regulations are enforced to protect the work-people in Germany, Austria, or France.

Regret was expressed that the American organization had not affiliated especially as the American pottery industry with its growing export of ware to Europe is increasing in importance. Several letters had been addressed to the American potters inviting them to join the international federation, but the answers had not been encouraging, it was reported. The English delegate rather deprecated the reproaches levelled at the American potters as they tended to embitter. Hedid not think that the Americans could long keep up their present position of isolation.

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a summary of the history of the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall, and gave credit to whom credit was due in the initial stages of the movement as well as to those who have carried on the work throughout the country. Attention was called to the circular letter which I sent out, asking for information from official sources as to the work done in the several States for the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall. A number of letters were published, and for the information they contain as well as their historic value, the following additional

letters are here reproduced:

Connecticut.

NEW HAVEN, CONN., May 18, 1912. The New Haven Trades Council has voiced its sentiments many times in favor of Direct Primaries, Commission Form of Government in cities, Initiative, Referendum, and Recall.

The Democratic party has for several years been working under a Direct Primary rule brought about by members of organized labor who are affiliated with that party. The Republican party has talked of adopting the Direct Primary rule, but up to this date has not yet done so.

Our Trades Council opposed a draft of a new charter for the city of New Haven, which presumably gave a so-called Commission Form of Government with an Initiative, Referendum, and Recall provision, but the plan offered was not satisfactory. What it gave with one hand it took back with the other. We stand for these principles in their entirety. We want a Commission Form of Government that will be independent and which will mean something. Fraternally yours,

JOSEPH J. REILLY, Secretary,
New Haven Trades Council.

MERIDEN, CONN., May 20, 1912. The Meriden Central Labor Union has always been active in behalf of good municipal government and better State and National government.

Our council has maintained a delegation at the State capital at every session and made a strong fight for a Direct Primary law and the Oregon system of Initiative, Referendum, and Recall. We have made every reasonable effort to pledge candidates for the Legislature in behalf of these and other important labor measures.

We are handicapped in this State because of a peculiar system which permits a representative

from each town. Several towns with less than 800 people have one-half as much representation as the city of New Haven, which contains 78,000 people. This system works against our advancement. Among the labor men who have taken the most active part in behalf of legislation advocated by Labor are President Julius Stremlan, VicePresident George W. Chance, ex-President H. W.

Lohl, ex-President A. P. Dossin, Treasurer J. J.

Golden, Secretary George J. Stanley, Delegates Morris Sullivan, Charles Stremlan, John C. Hoban, and other members of the Meriden Central Labor Union. Even if we have not secured the legislation we have sought in the past, it is not because of our neglect. We are ready to continue the struggle until we succeed. Fraternally yours,

GEORGE J. STANLEY, Secretary,
Meriden Central Labor Union.

Florida.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 6, 1912. At the request of the Legislative Committee of the Florida State Federation of Labor, progress has been made in this State in behalf of the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall, as shown by joint resolutions which passed both houses of the last Legislature. This measure was drawn up and introduced by the Hon. T. F. West, a member of the House. This gentleman has just been elected Attorney-General of the State without opposition. The original resolution fixed the percentages for Initiative petitions at 10 and 15 per cent; the Referendum petitions on a 15 per cent basis. By an amendment in the House these percentages were changed to 20 and 25 for the Initiative and 20 in the Referendum petitions. As there is now little chance of it being submitted to the people in the general election in November, it has been suggested that we have it passed again at the next session of the Legislature as originally drafted. We think this will be easily done, as we have nearly all the members pledged in favor of it. The Recall was not made a part of the original draft as at the time this proposition was presented a great deal of opposition in the Legislature was being shown to all the people's measures, and it was thought that if the Recall was included it would render it impossible of passage. If it does not get before the people at the next general election, we will have the Recall added when it is reintroduced at the coming session of the Legislature.

At the last session of the Florida Legislature the city of Jacksonville was placed under a Commission Form of Government, the Legislature naming nine members of a board of bond trustees who would have entire charge of the city departments. The great increase of taxes fixed by this new board brought a great deal of complaint from the people, but no attempt was made by the board to lessen the cost, so the question of the election of the nine trustees by the people, instead of their appointment by the Legislature, was placed in separate ballot-boxes, and the vote in favor of election as against appointment was carried by about ten to one. The officials and delegates of the Central Trades and Labor Council of Jacksonville, have advocated this ever since the present board took charge, but with little success until we asked all candidates for the Legislature to express themselves. All candidates favoring the election of the bond trustees by the people instead of appointment by the Legislature were elected by large majorities. Fraternally yours,

J. C. PRIVETT, Secretary-Treasurer,
Florida State Federation of Labor.

Georgia.

SAVANNAH, GA., June 9, 1912. Georgia has the Direct Primary system. Every official of the State is chosen by direct primary, including United States Senators. During the fourteen years of the existence of the State Federation of Labor, it has passed resolutions favoring the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall.

The Commission Form of Government has been agitated considerably during the last three years, and last year the city of Atlanta undertook to try the plan. The city council named a committee to draw up a plan that was to be submitted to the people. The committee had as a member Brother Luther H. Still, President of the Atlanta Typographical Union. This committee devoted considerable time to the matter and the plan as submitted to the city council was considered to be a very good one. It contained an eight-hour provision for all city work, a minimum wage-scale for common city labor, the Initiative and Referendum, and nearly all the progressive ideas the working people are advocating. The city council did not approve of the plan as submitted, and they proceeded to cut it up until it would not have been recognized by its authors. All of the beneficial part relating to labor was cut out. The result was the working people turned against it, and when the measure was submitted for a vote it was overwhelmingly defeated and union labor was credited with doing it.

Several months ago the city of Augusta voted

on a commission plan, but it was defeated by a small majority, the reason being that the politics of Augusta are divided into religious factions, and the fight was between them and not for or against the commission plan. It is to be submitted to the

people again this fall.

The city of Savannah is preparing to vote on the commission plan. I am a member of the committee that is preparing the plan to be submitted to the people. It is not yet completed, but it has been definitely decided to embody the principles of Initiative, Referendum, and Recall. I have not succeeded in getting the eight-hour clause in yet, but have no doubt it will be included.

These are the only cities in Georgia that have taken any steps to obtain the Commission Form of Government. Fraternally yours,

ROBERT FECHNER, Secretary-Treasurer,
Georgia State Federation of Labor.

Kansas.

KANSAS CITY, KANS., May 15, 1912 It has been the policy of the Kansas State Federation of Labor to submit certain questions to aspirants for legislative office prior to the general elections. In 1910 the convention went on record demanding the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall, and instructed the legislative committee to have such a measure introduced at the following session of the Legislature. The question was submitted to practically all candidates and affirmative answers were received. The bill was introduced in the 1910-11 session. It passed the House and was defeated in the Senate by one vote. While Labor had been agitating the Initiative and Referendum for years in Kansas, no definite action was taken until this time. The measure was urged and supported by W. E. Bryan, General President, Leather Workers on Horse Goods; W. L. A. Johnson, former Labor Commissioner; Robert Gilmour, Secretary-Treasurer District No. 14, United Mine Workers of America; S. A. Bramlette, President State Federation of Labor, and in fact every active man in the labor movement in Kansas.

With regard to the action of organized labor in Kansas on Direct Primaries nothing has been done on the part of Labor as an organization except to demand that the present law be amended to permit men to vote in the primaries the same as in the general elections that is for their choice-regardless of partisan affiliation. Nothing, however, has been accomplished in this direction as yet. Under the present Kansas law, a man must declare his party affiliation before being allowed to vote in the primary.

As to the Commission Form of Government in Kansas, we have observed its operation very closely with the following conclusions: We have inaugurated it in most of the largest cities; namely, Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Pittsburg, Independence, Hutchinson, and several other cities. Wherever the plan has been adopted it is working quite satisfactorily. Since the adoption of the plan we have found it possible in Kansas City to elect a labor man as one of the commissioners; this never occurred under the old ward system. In Topeka we elected a labor man; in Pittsburg two labor men have been elected on the board: in Leavenworth we elected a labor man and in several

smaller cities and towns we find the same advantage has followed the adoption of the plan. We have found that Labor has secured more recognition under the commission plan than under the old aldermanic plan. In Kansas City, immediately following our election of a labor man as one of the commissioners, wages for common city labor were raised from $1.75 to $2 per day of eight hours. The construction of a "Settling Basin" was done under direct supervision of the labor member of the board with none but union laborers employed. A large saving to the city was effected as compared with the cost of similar work done previously under contract. Taxes have generally increased, but in most cases it has been because of the indebtedness outstanding when the plan became operative. Under the commission plan the Commissioners can not contract debts beyond the ability to meet such obligations, so it was necessary to increase taxes to meet current obligations and provide for the retirement of maturing bonds as they become due from time to time. Street improvements, boulevards, and general municipal improvements along many lines indicate the difference under the old system of ward or aldermanic government.

The Kansas law provides for the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall of members of the Board of Commissioners under the Commission Form, thus enabling the people to have direct control at all times. To the best of my knowledge there has been only one recall in any of our cities since the plan has been adopted, that recall being in the city of Wichita last year.

Organized labor of Kansas will demand the adoption of the Initiative and Referendum for State use at the next session of the Legislature. All candidates will be questioned before the election as to their attitude on such a measure. We will also, no doubt, ask for a change in our present primary law that will give the independent voter the same privilege in the primary that he now exercises in the general elections. Fraternally yours,

SIM A. BRAMLETTE,
Chairman Legislative Committee,

Kansas State Federation of Labor.

Kentucky.

COVINGTON, Ky., May 25, 1912.

I note your desire to be informed as to what has been done in Kentucky towards securing Direct Primaries, Commission Form of Government for municipalities, etc. Under the law now in force, cities of the second class are entitled to adopt the Commission Form of Government. The last Legislature passed a bill providing for general primaries for the selection of candidates of both parties. This law becomes operative June 12, 1912. It passed practically unanimously in both branches of the General Assembly, and is regarded as a distinct step forward in progressive legislation. We are hopeful of much good resulting from the enactment of this measure.

We have no general movement in our State as yet in favor of the Initiative, Referendum, or Recall, but we are in hopes that a healthy sentiment in behalf of these principles of popular government may be crystallized at an early date among

the people in the State through the influence of our labor organizations. Fraternally yours,

JAMES A. SMITH, Recording Secretary,
Covington Trades and Labor Assembly.

Maine.

AUBURN, ME., May 8, 1912.

You ask for particulars as to what has been done in Maine by members of labor organizations for the passage of laws in the form of Direct Primaries, Commission Form of Government, and the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall.

The Initiative and Referendum has been in force in this State four years, and applies to all statutory laws, but not to constitutional laws. It was brought about wholly and solely through the State branch of the American Federation of Labor, aided by men of more or less political prominence. Such men of labor as Abner Nichols of Augusta, (grand old labor man of Maine); Roscoe Eddy, of Bar Harbor, of the Legislative Committee of the State branch of the American Federation of Labor; John F. Connelly, Secretary of the State Branch, and the writer were all in the fight at the State house and were successful in securing its passage. The Recall we have not as yet asked for, but at our State convention in June it will be taken up.

At the last session of the Maine Legislature a Direct Primary bill was introduced by Representative Davies, and needless to say it received the full support of our organization. The Legislature turned the bill down and substituted another which was enacted, but through the means of the Referendum, the original, or Davies bill, had been referred to the people and it was adopted by a three to one vote, thereby turning down the machine law and putting in the statutes a law that suited the people-one we had championed. This law calls for direct nominations of United States Senators and Representatives and all State and county officers. It also carries a corrupt practices law allowing a man to spend so much money, according to the office he aspires to and makes him render an account of any and all moneys spent. Our first trial of the law comes on June 17, 1912. The Commission Form of Government has not been adopted by any city in Maine as yet.

Our Child Labor laws are very good and are being amended whenever we find the need.

The credit for the passage of all of these laws certainly belongs to the organizations of labor. We have had to do all the fighting for them.

During the session of the Legislature in 1909 and 1910 I was a member of the lower House and we cleaned our slate. We passed every bill we introduced, and killed two that we wanted to defeat. All of this work was done in spite of the fact that the Committee on Labor was eight to two against us on nearly every measure. As chairman, on the part of the House, I would sign minority reports seconded only by my colleague, Representative Mace of Westbrook, and in every instance we turned the majority report of the committee over and passed our law.

This next session we are going after the Recall. We are going to try to amend the Initiative and Referendum so it will apply to constitutional laws of the State as well as statutory laws, and we are