been literally revoked, with the avowed object of preventing labor exercising the right that belongs to it. Our courts are centers of corruption and our judges mere class creatures and instruments for the maladministration of the law."

THE London (Eng.,) Chamber of Commerce adopted the following resolutions on the question of arbitration in financial disputes: "That in the opinion of this congress the present gigantic expenditure on military preparations imposes an intolerable burden on national revenues and an immense addition to human labor. That the settlement of international differences by force of arms is barbarous and unworthy of civilized nations, and that differences or disputes arising between different governments, which cannot be adjusted by diplomatic agency, should, as far as possible, be referred to arbitration."

CONGRESSMAN T. W. PHILLIPS, New Castle, Pa., in his able speech in the house recently, said: "The war of competition as now waged, instead of being the life of trade, too frequently means the death of one of the contending parties or a combination in which the people lose. Property won by fair competion or honest toil will be respected; but won by special privileges, unjust competition or fraud in adulteration cannot be respected, and the time is fast approaching when such methods of acquisition will not be tolerated. The holder of such property cannot atone in acts of charity, returning in part to the few that which he has wrongfully taken from the many." CHICAGO LABOR NOTES.

BY P. J. MAAS.

ELECTRIC PARK has been unionized.
THE derrick men's union is organized.

ALL the women's unions have adjourned until fall. A CENTRAL organization of employers' organizations is being agitated.

THREE-CENT car fares are agitated by the Building Trades Council for workingmen.

UNIONS of waiters, bartenders, chefs and cooks have adopted a uniform scale of prices.

MOTORMEN and conductors on the West Side street car lines have formed an organization.

THE Union Workman, the organ of the Labor Congress, has gone where the woodbine twineth.

AN alleged union of cigarmakers, styling itself Progressive Cigarmakers Union, has been organized here. THE United Order American Bricklayers and Stonemasons is now affiliated with the Building Trades Council.

DORCAS FEDERAL LABOR UNION will give a picnic to its members and friends at Lincoln Park, Saturday, August 1.

PREPARATIONS for Labor Day are now under way by the Building Trades Council and the Trade and Labor Assembly.

Now that the political campaign is on in full blast, the Chicago Musical Society is having its own troubles looking after non-union "bands."

C. C. DENT, president of an alleged bricklayers' "union," declares his union will get recognition if it is necessary to fight every union in Chicago.

THE International Printing Pressmens Union elected the following officers at its recent convention in this city: President, Theodore Galoskowsky, of St. Louis; first vice-president, J. Birmingham, Washington; second vice-president, Jas. W. O'Connor, Philadelphia; third vice-president, Frank Pampusch, St. Paul; secretary-treasurer, Jas. Gelson, New York, delegates to

the American Federation of Labor, Jesse Johnson, Nashville, and B. R. Lord, Akron.

CIGARMAKERS' UNION No. 14 elected officers as follows: President, Adam Menche; recording secretary, Nick Lentz; financial secretary, George Steinweller; treasurer, Henry Gable.

BICYCLE WORKERS throughout the country are warned against an alleged organization here styling itself the Brotherhood of Bicycle Mechanics. One M. J. Fox, who met himself in front of a West Side bar glass, "organized" this union last fall, and, it is alleged, has been collecting per capita tax from unions throughout the country. Bicycle Workers Union No. 1, Chicago, of which he was a member, has fined him $100 and expelled him from the organization for these acts.

MUCH has been printed in the daily press about the strike of the iron and steel workers at the North Chicago Rolling Mills, but in no instance have the lockedout men nor the strikers been treated fairly. As the writer reorganized Protection Lodge 3, Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, visited the strikers, locked-out men, the works, and also talked to the imported workmen (but who refused to work when they learned the cause of trouble), in their behalf submit to any fair-minded man a comparison of the following table of wages paid when the mills shut down three years ago, the wages offered now by the Universal Construction Co., and the wages demanded by the skilled workman:

Edward McAfee, Lansing, Mich.-Organized six unions, metal polishers, pressmen, stovemounters, carpenters, ladies' federal labor union, conductors and motormen. Two strikes against reduction in wages. They were won and former wages restored. A big fight on all boycotted goods; making the American Tobacco Trust look sick. Labels of broommakers, cigarmakers, garment workers, shoe workers, tobacco workers, and tackmakers are established.

J. Orchi, Memphis, Tenn.-Organized retail clerks. The American Brewing Company, St. Louis, has been convinced it cannot do business here. We agitate all labels.

Geo. Derrick, Muncie, Ind.-Organized well drillers. Bricklayers refused to work on foundation put in by non-union men. Foundation was taken out and men went to work on the third day. Glassworkers of gas belt held demonstration here June 21. State Labor Day committee met in Anderson; representatives present from Indianapolis, Muncie, Elwood and Alexandria. There are more non-union cigars sold than union.

C. E. Carter, Lafayette, Ind.-Organized musicians and retail clerks. Labels of cigarmakers, printers and tobacco workers are well established in Logansport, and the shoe workers and garment workers fairly well.

W. F. Weber, Washington, D. C.-Organized painters. One strike; demand for eight-hour day by steam and hot water fitters. Six firms have been placed on the unfair list. Labels of cigarmakers and bakers are established. Things are looking very much better. The new central body is doing well.

J. D. Pierce, Worcester, Mass.-Organized reed and rattan workers of Gardner. No strikes. The cigarmakers are hustling on scab cigars. Business dull. Molders and carpenters are taking on new life through holding public meetings. The state branch has secured twenty-two new unions and will meet here August 3 and 4.

Jos. P. Keating, Massillon, O.-Organized quarrymen. Pushing boycott on American Tobacco Trust and scab cigars. Pre

paring for Labor Day. Some locals are considering invitations to visit Cleveland.

S. P. Ewing, Columbus, O.-Organized agents. One strike. Boss horseshoers violated agreement to raise wages and shorten hours. Won out. Strikers got demands-nine hours and 25 cents increase per day in all shops but one. The new bakers union is aiding its craft wonderfully. Organized labor is preparing for a big demonstration and picnic, July 4.

S. E. Colgrove, Kalamazoo, Mich.-Organized bookbinders, pressmen, job pressmen, feeders and helpers. One strike; refusal to pay scale to molders. Victory for the latter. Uniform scale established in all shops but one. Quiet and effective work being done at all times. Cigarmakers' and printers' labels in general use.

L. W. Rogers, Leadville, Colo.-Organized mine mechanics. W. O. Pinard, Memphis, Tenn.-Organized retail clerks; prospects good for large union. Tobacco trust vigorously boycotted. Labels of cigarmakers, printers and pressmen established. Organized labor tried to defeat a chancellor for re-election who granted an injunction against journeymen plumbers; failed.

Joseph T. Cosgrove, Muscatine, Ia.-Organized musicians and barbers. Labels of printers and cigarmakers established. Are booming union labels and union growing rapidly.

Joseph Brickel, Providence, R. I.- All boycotts pushed Labels of cigarmakers and garment workers established. The clanishness of the different nationalities is causing jealousy and bad feeling and prevents organizing, as well as hurts the trade unions.

C. P. McCambridge, Kansas City, Kan.-Organized laborers. American Tobacco Trust and Green Tree beer driven out of the city. All labels, including shoe workers new stamp, established; also circle check system.

P. F. McCarthy, West Dummerston, Vt.-Organized four unions of quarrymen. Three strikes and one lockout. One for increased wages, three against reductions; partly successful. Benefits secured, nine hours. Have killed the sale of Battle Ax tobacco in this vicinity. Labels of cigarmakers, shoe workers and garment workers well established. Vermont is a hard place to organize; cause, too many farmers and Italians.

James M. Lynch, Syracuse, N. Y.--Organized pressmen and stationary engineers. Boycotts vigorously agitated. Have protested to police commissionsers against use of Victor wheels for mounted squad. All labels boomed through labor league. Effort being made to have trade assembly join the Federation, movement being bitterly opposed by the state socialists.

Thos. V. Salisbury, Martins Ferry, O.-Organized clerks. Pushing boycott against cigars of H. Seamen & Son, whose product is sold in several parts of the United States.

F. J. Weber, Milwaukee, Wis.-Organized structural iron workers. One strike for recognition of the union and increase

of wages; undecided. All boycotts pushed. Cigarmakers,

coopers and Federation label in use. Organization will be carried on all over the state by the state Federation.

R. Askew, Ishpeming, Mich.-Organized the iron ore miners at Lovette. Cigarmakers label established. Trade dull in all the iron ranges. Scores of men out of employment.

C. E. Ballard, Galveston, Tex.-Organized laborers. Laborers struck for $2 and eight hours. Won in four days--a benefit of 25 cents more per day and one-half hour's work less. Organized street railway men-127 members. Have the cooks and waiters about ready to organize; three or four Knights of Labor men trying to stop it, but will make it. Cigarmakers label on the market but not being pushed. Too little agitation and too much religious proscription and not enough discussion on economic lines.

Philip Danahy, Rutland, Vt.-The shirtmakers union now has over 400 members. The machinists have been reorganized and are getting along nicely. Have a federal labor union started with twenty-eight members, and the organization of the quarrymen will be shortly secured. It is difficult to move the barbers, they are so closely allied with their bosses.

Wm. H. Winn, Columbus, Ga.--Organized within one week the loom-fixers union, carders and spinners union, and the dyers union in that city. This, together with the weavers,

organized a month ago, will form a nucleus, and we shall have at least 5,000 of the textile workers of this city and vicinity organized before the end of the year.

Wm. Mudge, Negaunee, Mich.-Organized a federal labor union. There has been a general discrimination against mine workers. It is so hard to educate along the line of labels that very little has been accomplished.

T. M. Crowley, Meriden, Conn-Organized three unions of barbers, machine woodworkers and suspender weavers. Are pushing the boycotts on bicycles and American Tobacco Trust. Cigarmakers and bakers labels are the principal ones. Business is very dull and disastrous to organizations.

J. P. McDonnell, Patterson, N. J.-We had one small strike of weavers for restoration of wages; compromised. There is likely to be an early revival in the movement here. A federal labor union is in course of organization.

J. C. McBroom, Toledo, O.-Organized tobacco workers and firemen. Two strikes; against unfair superintendent and refusal to sign coopers' scale. Expect to win both. Pushing boycott on Crescent bicycles and Schlitz Brewing Company, at request of coopers. Have five unions under way. Bicycle trade is almost all idle.

F. J. Weber, Milwaukee, Wis.-The street-car strike reminds one of the Romans' uprising under the leadership of Valerius and Horatius in the fifth century, B. C., against the decemviri or wicked ten. The boycott here is also an uprising of the plebians against a gigantic corporation that has oppressed the people and through a system of political trickery, which, in olden times and other lands, such robbery was wrought by the red hand of rapine and war. This company, by the trickery and chicanery of manipulating the laws, the law-makers, both the common council and the legislature of our state, the different mayors of our city and the executives of the state, has at last oppressed the people so that an uprising has come about, and the people say, Halt! no more robbery, no more trickery, no more injustice is wanted; we demand fair play. T. D. Flynn, Helena, Mont.—Organized laborers. Boycotts and labels attended to. The outlook is very good.

F. H. Hatch, Portland, Me.-Organized ring spinners, dressers, barbers, federal labor union and central labor union in Biddeford and Saco. Placed typographical label in Pruneau & Haswell's, Biddeford, and took in printers.

John H. McGrath, Zanesville, O.-We have ten unions. Had a strike and lockout; the former bad, the latter good. All merchants handle union goods, and boycotts furthered. Will soon have bakers, tailors and barbers organized. Trade unionism on the boom.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

THE attention of delinquent subscribers is respectfully called to the red X upon the wrapper.

JOHN T. ELLIOTT, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America, reports that charters were issued to painters unions of the following cities since May 1, 1896: Kansas City, Kan.; Sandwich, Ill.; Victor, Col.; Aurora, Ill.; Lynn, Mass.; Gardiner, Me.; Anaconda, Mont.; Greenville, Miss.; Rock Islaud, Ill.; New Westminster, B. C.; Washington, D. C.; Warren, Pa., and Poughkeepsie, N. Y., thirteen in all, and several on the way.

AT the close of Congress the bill giving trial by jury and other safeguards in prosecution for contempt of court was adopted, but it has not yet been presented to the House. It continues the power of summary punishment when an offense is committed in the immediate presence of a judge, but in indirect contempts, such as the violation of an injunction, the bill provides that the accused shall be given a full hearing, with opportunities to summon witnesses and offer defense. In case of conviction appeal to the supreme court is provided. Senator Platt opposed it as revolutionizing the judicial system. Two other bills upon the same subject were reported favorably to the house, but no action was taken.

OFFICE OF

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR,

DE SOTO BLOCK, INDIANAPOLIS, June 12, 1896. Miss Jennie Finnie, Secretary Victor (Col.) Trades Assembly: DEAR SISTER-I am in receipt of a letter from the executive office of the Retail Clerks National Protective Association calling attention to the fact that a committee of citizens called upon your trades assembly, at its last meeting, with the request that your assembly should sanction the movement for the opening of the stores and business houses in your city on Sunday. I am asked my opinion upon the matter, and in order that I may express it in a manner calculated to be most clear, I write direct to you and through you to your trades assembly.

In the first place, let me say that upon economic, social, as well as upon moral grounds, the request of the committee of business men is entirely unjustifiable as well as wrong in principle. The beasts of burden have their time of rest and recuperation, and certainly what nature and nature's laws intended for them cannot be less so to civilized men.

If there were a great famine for food or the other necessities of life, for the people of your city to work almost incessantly would be justifiable; but in our day, when the earth yields up its fruit in abundance, when the laborer is more than a hundredfold more productive than was his father, when, with the aid of the latest improved machinery and tools of labor, with steam and electricity applied to wealth's production, when the steamships and the railroads rush from one end to the other of our country and of the world, it does seem beyond reason that any one should make a request by which the toiling masses, or any portion of them, be required to toil seven days of the week.

So sure as the stores and business houses are open seven days in the week, just so sure will the seven-days-a-week work become the general rule among our fellow-workers, and just so sure will larger numbers of workmen become unemployed by reason of the extra labor required of those who are overemployed. This will mean not seven days' pay for seven days' work, but will mean seven days' work for six days' pay and less. The whole history of the labor movement is replete with the evidence that when the hours of labor or the days of labor are increased, wages are reduced, and the conditions of the toilers steadily deteriorate, while, on the other hand, a reduction in the hours of labor has always produced higher wages, improved conditions, surroundings and homes, better citizens, better fathers, better husbands, better men.

The request made by the committee of citizens to your trades assembly is an insult to your intelligence. It is an infringement upon your rights and ought to be rejected with the scorn and contempt it deserves. Stand by your organization; stand by your principles; reduce the hours of your labor and the labor of your fellow-workers; relieve the burdens of your fellowworkers; find work for the unemployed, and the day of labor's disenthrallment from injustice and wrong will soon be at hand. Fraternally yours,

SAML. GOMPERS, President American Federation of Labor.

Editor American Federationist:

NEW YORK, June 12, 1896.

The earnest expressions of sympathy by all co-workers, and the labor press generally, for the garment workers, in their defensive struggle against the attacks of the pseudo socialists,

have given us much courage, and I am glad to announce that we have passed safely through the ordeal. Our unions were evidently singled out as the target, because of our big membership, lack of experience, depression in the trade and laxity of discipline. The general officers feared that the alluring sophistries of our unscrupulous enemies, their blackguarding tactics, their factious policy would militate against and overwhelm us, and that the garment workers, who had demonstrated such wonderful capacity in organizing and forcing the employers time and time again to accede to their terms, would be again placed completely at the mercy of the sweater, or the employer, and that whatever independence and self-assertion they possessed would be suppressed. We feared that they would sacrifice the advantages of the present, and the possibilities of the future, by the dazzling promises of social reconstruction that will occur, Alladin-like, if only their particular party would gain power.

Their shams and purposes have now been revealed through their traitorous attempts on the life of the unions. After trying vainly to destroy from within, they have, much to our relief, attempted, by forming small opposing factions, to ruin from without. They have sown and reaped the whirlwind. Common sense has prevailed. In every one of our unions to-day, able, eloquent champions of trade unions have suddenly arisen; and, what is more, some of them formerly sympathized with the opposition. These agents of social chaos, and tools of the boss, are seen in their true light, and are now hated more cordially than the Pinkertons ever were. The words "crocodiles" and "reptiles" are terms commonly applied to them. Our members everywhere have voluntarily placed a boycott on their papers.

Sophists and quacks soon lose whatever influence they have gained, particularly as in this case, when their masks are torn off and their hideous nature exposed.

Fraternally,

HENRY WHITE,

General Secretary United Garment Workers of America. P. S.-The fight against the goods of the Rochester Clothing Combination is very effective, and all unions are again urged to send committees to the clothiers in their locality, requesting them not to handle Rochester made clothing.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., June 17, 1896. Samuel Gompers, President American Federation of Labor, Indianapolis, Ind.:

DEAR SIR AND Brother-Having arrived on the coast, I shall try to give you some slight notion of the work of the fiftyfourth congress from our point of view.

The Phillip's commission bill passed the house, amended, so that each group will be three instead of five, but each of the four groups are to have a legal advisor, so the total number of the commission will really be sixteen. It did not pass the senate, but probably will in the short session.

The eight-hour bill is at present in the committee on labor, and will, it seems, have to undergo some alteration before it can be reported. The claim is that it is so broad in its provisions that it would practically put all our industries on the eight-hour basis, and some modification, they say, must be had to make it at present practical. The emmigration bill (requiring an educational test) passed the house and was made unfinished business in the senate. The arbitration bill was reported to the house, but was not called up, and I don't think that it will pass in its present shape. The seamen's bill, in modified form, was reported to the house and passed there, but had been reported to the senate in a different form and could not be passed in the senate this session. There are, however, indications that it will pass during the short session.

The house resolution to inquire into the workings in the navy yard at Brooklyn failed to pass the house, it seems to me, on account of the action of Hon. Samuel J. Hilborn, of California, who left Washington and took the resolution with him, thus taking it out of question to do anything further in the matter. In the seamen's matter, the house took a long step in the right direction by granting to the seamen the same right to quit work that has, for one hundred years, been enjoyed by

other workingmen. The fifty-third congress gave this right to seamen in the coastwise trade and to nearby foreign countries. The present congress--that is, the house-voted to extend this to all American vessels. Yours fraternally,

A. FURUSETH,

A. F. of L. Representative at Washington, D. C.

17 CROSBY ST., LAWRENCE, MASS., June 22, 1896. Editor American Federationist:

A boom in organization has been in progress in this city, through the efforts of the committee on organization of the Central Labor Union. The building laborers, iron molders, cigarmakers and typographical unions, have, as a result, every journeyman of their crafts in the city and vicinity enrolled as members, and are at present in good standing financially.

We have reorganized the local branch of granite cutters, bakers and confectioners, carriage and wagonworkers, and have also organized four new locals-weavers, No. 98, theatrical mechanics, stonemasons federal union No. 6652, and plumbers No. 67, and have assisted a lot of other local unions.

The national and international unions, associations and brotherhoods have very sadly neglected every one of their locals in this town, and but for the efforts of the Central Labor Union, which has been assisted by carpenters, building laborers, iron molders and typographical unions, the organizations would be in a deplorable state. We are trying hard to accomplish and render such assistance as we have at our command to all local unions.

The Central Labor Union has had a hot time this past winter fighting the heads of the various municipal departments for the violation of statutory laws. The health, street, water and police departments were violating section 7 of chapter 508, acts of 1894 (public statutes). The case was reported by a special committee from the Central Labor Union to the proper authorities, but it is another case where Chief Rufus W. Wade, of the state district police, has left the interpretation of the law to the superintendent of streets of this city. His honor, the mayor, insisted on the health, police and water departments complying with the statutes. Owing to our antiquated city charter, the mayor of this town has not the power to exercise any authority over any of the departments but police.

We have done a great deal for educational purposes in distribution of circulars and literature and having public lectures for the advancement of the labor movement. The iron molders had Brother Valentine here not long since, and through his efforts the wages of molders have been raised at least $3 per week, and the hours have been reduced from one to three per day, or from six to eighteen hours per week. But the results of his efforts (Brother Valentine's) are very creditable. He established a rule while in town among the foundry men which means, no cards, no work. He has forced the employers to recognize the union. This has been freely advertised. In fact, it has been scattered to the four winds of heaven, and it has been a great benefit to the movement in this city. If the national officers of the different associations and brotherhoods would exert themselves, they could, with the assistance of the Central Labor Union, establish the same conditions as Brother Valentine did for the iron molders. It would make this the best organized town on the continent. It is now one of the most progressive. We have had a true-blue in town the past two weeks-Brother J. D. Cowper, of Carpenter's Union No. 108, of Lynn, Mass. He is acting as agent for Carpenters Union No. III, which is making every effort to strengthen itself. There will be a public meeting on June 24 for carpenters only. We shall next endeavor to organize the journeymen barbers. Yours fraternally,

R. CULLINANE, President Central Labor Union. P. S.-Would say that since May 1, stonemasons local union No. 6652 has received an advance to $3 per day, and has established a universal nine-hour day. Previously it was ten hours and $2.25. R. C.

SEATTLE, WASH., May 18, 1896.

Editor American Federationist: I have your able journal before me, and for nearly three years have enjoyed the pleasure of perusing its columns, and in many things have been edified thereby.

We are, of course, digging some canals, but they afford employment for a very limited number and do a small amount to stimulate industry.

Be assured, however, that I shall as soon as possible come to the front in all matters with the FEDERATIONIST, and my

services are at your disposal otherwise in all things wherein I can be of service to the oppressed of humanity, or do anything to make the world better for my having lived in it.

A bitter experience has convinced me that there is nothing in attempts at compromise with the elements that manufacture thunder storms in the labor unions. When it is necessary to do so, to frustrate their plans and bring them under the bans of capitalistic greed, and any advancement that the laborer or mechanic makes in this age is made at the cost of self and by dint of ingenuity on the part of the advanced, and the barriers are many and strong that he has to surmount.

I am pleased to note the advancement made by the American Federation of Labor and hope that it will go onward and upward until it supersedes in all things tending to advance the cause of labor and of humanity at large, the forces of those that oppose or ignore it and becomes the northern star of the firmament of industrial reform, as it, indeed, is destined to be some day, and that, too, in our day and age of progress. Continue to send me the paper, and much oblige,

Yours truly for reform, G. A. LAFAYETTE.

Comments.

J. H. Ballard, Schuylerville, N. Y.: "I like the paper very much. "1

Henry Wiseman, general secretary of bakers: "You are doing good work. Keep it up."

W. B. Prescott, president International Typographical Union: "A good number. The Progressive Tendency' is to the point." J. B. Lennon, general secretary of the tailors: "June FEDERATIONIST received. It is excellent-one of the best numbers ever issued."

Louis F. Bangerter, secretary Coremakers Union No. 6651: "FEDERATIONIST arrived on time, and sold like hot cakes. We all think the June number exceptionally good."

Eight-Hour Herald: "It is a pleasure for us to record the fact that the AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST is growing in merit and popularity. It is now a first-class journal of economics."

Joseph Hoenig, president Central Labor Union, Lockport, N. Y.: "Enclosed find renewal of my subscription. I could not get along without it. Would like such a paper to read every day."

N. G. Cole, secretary of Screwmakers Protective Union No. 6256: "I am very much pleased with the FEDERATIONIST. The article entitled 'The Foreman,' in the June issue, must have been written for certain people not far away.'

John F. O'Sullivan, organizer, Boston: "All past issues are exceeded by the last. No wageworker should allow himself to be deprived of the privilege of reading the official journal of the American labor movement. I eagerly await its arrival and read it at once." ""

Geo. W. Perkins, general president of cigarmakers: "Excellent! It bristles with well written information, and contains a dignified defense of the real labor movement that is a credit to the editor, the American Federation of Labor, and the great trade union movement for which it stands."

M. M. Garland, president iron and steel workers: "It is brim full of live matter; it, as usual, exhibits excellent choice in subjects treated, and maintains admirably its creditable position as a labor publication. The movement owes it much, and can depend upon it for yet greater and more useful help if it is only encouraged as it merits."

James Duncan, general secretary of Granite Cutters Union: "Last FEDERATIONIST was brim full of practical hints on the labor movement, not only of this but of other countries. Miscellaneous notes were especially interesting, while the whole issue was gratifying to the advocates of such a magazine, in that it showed no spirit of rivalry to trade journals, as was originally predicted."

Henry White, general secretary garment workers: "The movement has developed to a stage that makes it imperative for unity and singleness of purpose among trade unionists to have a publication that fully represents their interests and aspirations, and whose advice at all times would be considered as being competent and authoritative. A paper ever alert to sound the note of danger when assailed by the employer or treacherous foes who operate under the mask of some ism" or reform. THE AMERICAN FEDERATIONIST is fuifilling that great function, as judged by the June issue. But I would advise that more space be devoted to the practical affairs and work being done by the unions."

Will H. Winn, organizer, Columbus, Ga.: "My acquaintance with the FEDERATIONIST began with the June number. We shall be friends in the future. Typographically, it is a gem; editorially, it is pregnant with the gospel that emancipates, and its correspondence embraces the cream of thought from labor's hosts-the whole being refreshingly free from the cross-fires and personalities that are unfortunately permeating so many of our trade organs. Such publications should be to the true unionist what the great Book was once to the Christian-a guide, a beacon that reveals the snares of enemies and points to the light that will not fail. The outlook from this section was never so bright. The seeds are being sown; the harvest is coming. Labor Omnia Vincit!"

Why Affiliate With the Federation ?
[Written for the Locomotive Firemen's Magazine.]

When I ask, Why affiliate with the Federation? I have in mind the affiliation of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen with the American Federation of Labor; and my answer to the question is in the affirmative, because it is right, because it is logical, because it is practical and must redound to the interests of the firemen, as well as all wage-workers of the country. Of course, in considering a step of such importance, the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen would wish to see some good reasons adduced, which will convince them that the course proposed is one calculated to advance and not injure their interests. I shall endeavor to give convincing proof for the belief I express. But, before doing so, I prefer, for the sake of convenience, as well as for a clearer conception of the subject, to answer some of the objections I know to exist among some members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen to affiliation.

The objections, succinctly stated, are:

First-A federation of railway labor organizations is essential, and that affiliation with the American Federation of Labor will defer the achievement of the first object.

Second-Affiliation with the American Federation of Labor would mean sympathetic strikes of firemen to enforce demands made by strikers of other trades, or to enforce boycotts, which might involve the abrogation of contracts of local divisions of the brotherhood, as such might have with their employers.

Third-The admission of the colored firemen of the south to membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. For the purpose of the clearest understanding, I shall treat the objections in the order stated.

First-Is it at all likely that the affiliation of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen with the American Federation of Labor would interfere with the federation of the railroad brotherhoods and orders? I am sure that to admit this would be to assert, because we have organized some members into our lodges or unions, that, therefore, the effort to secure new members must be deferred or delayed. That because we can strengthen our workers in one particular trade or calling, that, for that reason, we cannot afford to strengthen it by taking the hand of fellowship offered by the organized workers of other trades and callings. That because we are strong in our own organization, we shall weaken our position by allying ourselves with those who are equally organized, equally strongly intrenched.

Just as well might the individual workman contend that to organize with the other fellow-workers of his trade would weaken his position in any matter in which the interests of the workers and the employers may differ. The positions taken by the advocate of isolation of the labor organization, when affiliation is necessary, is just as fallacious and illogical as is the belief of isolation of the individual worker from his union, when organization is so essential to him in order to protect and further his and his fellow-workers' interests.

In affiliation with the American Federation of Labor, the other organizations of labor would undoubtedly receive the support and strength that the prestige of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen can give, but the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen would receive the assistance and support, the strength and prestige which the other affiliated organizations can and will surely give in return. Affiliation and non-affiliation presents the contrast between cohesion and repulsion, or between co-operation to aid each other's interests and indifference to each other's conditions; in a word, the recognition of the true meaning of unionism versus non-unionism.

Second-Does affiliation mean sympathetic strikes and sympathetic boycotts, by which the division or the brotherhood would violate contracts with their employers? I say, No; emphatically, No. The American Federation of Labor has been in existence for nearly fifteen years, and in all that time it has never required any such action on the part of any affili ated organization. On the contrary, every expression, every declaration, every action has been in the direction by which organized workers have been urged to faithfully abide by agreements with employers. In well-regulated trade organizations it is a matter of honor as well as of interest that contracts shall be observed. The sympathy of organized workers

and affiliated organizations can be expressed and manifested by honorable and legal methods far better calculated to aid labor, than by the enforced cessation of work, involving violations of plighted faith and agreements.

Third-Does the American Federation of Labor compel its affiliated organizations to accept the colored workmen? I answer, No; decidedly, No. No more than it compels organizations to accept Americans, Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen, Irishmen, or even Hottentots.

What the American Federation of Labor declares by its policy, that organizations should not declare against accepting the colored man because he is colored. I am sure that if any man of the nationalities mentioned should ally himself with the employers as against the interest of the workers, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen would reject his application for membership, regardless of how frantically he might wave the banner of his country. And yet, no one would think of declaring that "no American, no German, etc., shall become a member of this organization."

This is the attitude of the American Federation of Labor on the color question. If a man or set of men array themselves for any cause against the interests of the workers, their organizations have the right to say that their membership is barred. It should be at the wrong-doer against labor; it should not be a nationality or a race against whom the doors are barred.

The International Association of Machinists formerly had the "color line" provision in its constitution. It eliminated the objectionable declaration and became affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. Thus, it will be seen that the International Association of Machinists was relatively in exactly the same position on this question as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen is to-day. Yet, I venture to say, that any question, no matter how searching, directed to the officers of the International Association of Machinists, would bring forth the response that they are more than pleased with their affiliation, that their autonomy and independence is as fully recognized to-day as any time in the existence of their organization.

Thus, then, the objections having been fairly met and answered, I deem it necessary to say that inasmuch as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen is about to hold its convention, the subject matter of its affiliation with the American Federation of Labor should receive very earnest consideration of all the members in their division meetings, so that the delegates to Galveston may be fully prepared to vote intelligently, and, I trust, affirmatively, upon this important subject.

Of course, it is well known that since 1881 the American Federation of Labor has endeavored to bring together the great national trade unions of America into intelligent, fraternal relations, to further and advance and protect the interests of the wage-earners of America. With what success our efforts have been crowned is probably as well known to you as to myself, and needs but little, if any, mention in this article. However, it will not be out of place for me to say that, launching our Federation fifteen years ago, it was upon the troubled sea of industrial affairs, and following close upon a calamitous industrial crisis. There was much to discourage the efforts made, and many looked askance upon our project. They saw previous efforts made in this direction fail, and the path of federation strewn with corpses of the noblest thoughts and highest aspirations.

In building the basis of the American Federation of Labor, we laid the foundation stone, which has proven to be almost magical in its advantages and permanency. In our declaration for the autonomy of the affiliated trade unions, we laid the corner-stone upon which our organization rests, and from which, I am confident, it will never depart.

In the American Federation of Labor we endeavor to bring about a co-operative effort in order to advance the interests of the toiling masses, to bring to the aid of an organization engaged in dispute the practical sympathy and aid of their organized brothers and sisters of labor. It is an effort to accomplish the greatest good to all concerned, without inflicting upon any the evil of governmental authority by an individual or a number of individuals.

In the face of antagonism of all kinds and from all sides, the American Federation of Labor has steadily forged its way to the front, until to-day it stands pre-eminently as the living, aggres