INTERNATIONAL

SECRETARIAT

THE UNIONS OF PAINTERS AND

KINDRED TRADES.

Hamburg, Germany,
November 20, 1914.

Mr. Skemp, Secretary,

Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America, LaFayette, Ind.

Dear Brother Skemp:

OF

I have read your interesting communication of the 13th of October with great satisfaction. It reached me on the 5th of November. We all are especially pleased to note how well you understand the position of our European fellow-tradesmen and unionists, as well as your hearty sympathies with our common cause and our work during these difficult times. This is all the more valuable as it must be extremely difficult for you-being so far away from this continent-to get a clear insight into the conditions prevailing over here.

It really appears as if we shall have to look forward to a long continuation of the present tremendous devastation of moral and material values which is going on in the belligerant countries as well as in neutral lands. We are all the more satisfied to hear from all of our sister unions that they are not entirely helpless in facing the present situation. (Only the Swiss union appears to be somewhat shattered; the Croatian union has been dissolved by the police, and we have, unfortunately, no news from our Finnish friends.) This, on the whole, looks not unsatisfactory, for it proves that our ideals are invincible and that our unions are deeply rooted in most countries, although we must not overlook the possibility of things becoming more critical for some of these unions if this war should last very much longer.

Not one instance has been proved as yet where the employers had succeeded in reducing wages or otherwise deteriorating working conditions. The state authorities on the other hand, forced by present circumstances, are now giving much consideration to the problem of unemployment insurance, of securing regular employment for those out of work as well as to other social measures.

In No. 44 of our "Vereins-Anzeiger," under the caption, "Our International During the War," we have reprinted the various letters received. We sincerely trust

these letters may help to foster a mutual understanding, more -necessary now than

ever.

We were very much impressed by the attitude of our New York friends, who intend sending $227 to assist the women and children of their fellow-workers fighting on the battlefields of Europe. This generous proof of an unshattered spirit of solidarity is sure to have its great moral effect, especially on our German brothers, quite apart from the material significance of this touching testimony of the brotherly feelings of our fellow-tradesmen across the Atlantic.

Dear Brother Skemp, permit me to say that we regret very much to hear that even our American brothers are suffering so much from the effects of the present crisis. However, we trust that your organization will again prove powerful enough and that the spirit of brotherhood which has always been manifest within your International, will enable our American friends to stick together as heretofore.

We fully appreciate your wise attitude in remaining entirely neutral in this conflict. Such an attitude will do much more to help the organizations of the workers in various lands to renew their shattered efforts for mutual co-operation than taking sides with one of the two belligerant parties.

Let me assure you again that your sympathetic and impartial attitude in the present dark hours will anew stimulate our efforts and make us follow your activities on behalf of the American fellow-unionists with ever more sympathy and good wishes.

Hoping to hear from you as often as your time permits, especially in regard to the development of things in our trade, believe me to be, on behalf of the International Secretariat and the German Union of Painters,

Yours very sincerely and fraternally,
OTTO STREINE.

The Awakening.

At last the South is awakening and making a wonderful response to the call of trade unionism. The general public seems as anxious for information as the wage earners themselves. An illustration of the intensity of the interest that prevails is furnished by the report of a mass meeting recently held in Asheville, N. C. The largest

auditorium in the city, the local armory, seating 3,000 people, was filled to overflowing and standing room was at a premium. Many of the trades unions in Asheville are a hundred per cent strong. The outlook for the movement in the South is exceedingly bright. With the return of normal business conditions-that will follow the finding of a market for the past season's crop of cotton-it is safe to predict that the South will enter upon an era of organization and progress perhaps unequalled in the history of the American trades union movement.

L. U. 345 ENTERTAINED.

The first of a series of concerts and smokers planned for the winter months by L. U. 345, of Philadelphia, was held on Nov. 30th. Brothers Entriken, Devine, Hill, Cooke and Gibbs were in charge.

The following professional entertainers contributed their services: Orchestra, Brothers Rocco & Bro.; monologue artist, Mr. Chas. Potts; songs, Mr. Chas. Burke.

They were ably supplemented by the following members of the Philadelphia locals:

Brother Dooley, of 1039, songs and recitation; Thos. Mills, of L. U. 632, Scotch ballads; Dot Campbell, of L. U. 426, buck and wing dancing; Entriken, Cooke and Spacth, songs and recitation; Yiddish comedian, Brother Gibbs, and last, but not least, the quartette of L. U. 345, composed of Brothers Clarke, Nicholls, Armstrong and McGlynn.

Refreshments were served and a nominal charge of 25 cents made to cover expenses.

There was a large attendance and the affair was a complete success.

DIVISION INTO DISTRICTS.

A Vigorous Protest.

Procrastination being "The Thief Of Time," Local Union No. 485, of Shreveport, La., wishes to call atention to the proposed recommendation of Local Union No. 275, of Chicago, Ill., on pages 695-696, of the Nov. Journal, which if carried out would mean that the Brotherhood of Painters had "boycotted" the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and the island of Puerto Rico. It means that if ever such a proposition should become a law of our Brotherhood, that the above mentioned States would have "taxation without representation."

Local Union No. 275 advances the idea "that owing to the small membership in Lousiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico that it would not pay "to give us a representative."

Just because we have not a large mem

bership and large locals, we are to be denied a General Vice-President, and remain "UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD."

Local Union No. 485 wishes to call your attention to the Report of G. S.-T. J. C. Skemp, to the Rochester Convention, (on page 64, Report of General Officers) where it is shown that ten of the largest Local Unions located in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Minneapolis and New York, paid into the General Office for the first six months of 1913, $23,407.35, and that in the same time the same Local Unions received back from the General Office, $23,400.00, leaving the General Office with a surplus of $7.35 from these highly organized communities.

Now from the financial standpoint of Local Union No. 275, where does it come in that they are due a General Vice-President and we small Local Unions that are paying the bills should have no representation?

It being the undisputed fact that the small Locals make the Brotherhood possible, we ask every Local Union in the "Under the supervision of the G. E. B. district" to enter a protest now and forever against any such an unfair proposition ever becoming a law of our Brotherhood.

Hoping that you will give this matter the consideration which we think it merits, and trusting that you will favor us with any information you may deem proper concerning any action your Local may take in this matter,

With best regards of the season and wishing that you may enjoy continued prosperity during the coming year,

A. E. HARRIS, Chairman, 1538 White St., Shreveport, La.

R. WEBB,

W. A. DRAGOO,

W. C. OPDYCHE,

A. A. WARD, Committee.

GOOD FELLOWS MEET.'

Nearly two score of good fellows made merry at the banquet of L. U. 595, of Laporte, Ind. There was a feast of good things -the committee had the assistance of Mrs. Bennethum. Brothers Bennethum, Greenawalt and Vandererf were the committee. Brother Hartman presided and Brother Ingram served as toastmaster and made the address of welcome. Brother Elfort gave a history of the organization. He was followed by Henry E. Darling, the Rev. Mr. Berry, city editor Root, of the Herald and employers DeMeyer and Rose. The Bennethum family gave musical selections. The Christmas spirit of Brotherhood was abroad and the evening sped to a happy close.

WILL HANG ONLY UNION MADE

WALL PAPER.

To All Dealers in Wall Paper:

Gentlemen-The Paperhangers' Union of New York City, L. U. 490, of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America, at its last regular meeting assembled, decided that hereafter the union paperhangers of New York City will positively refuse to hang or handle wall papers that are not made under union conditions.

It was also decided to send a notice to this effect to every dealer in wall paper in New York City and vicinity who may use the services of members of this local and point out that union-made wall papers must bear the union label of the Allied Wall Paper Trades or the name of one of the union manufacturers (list enclosed with letter) on the margin or on back of each roll of paper.

Wall paper that does not bear one of these names or the union label will be considered as non-union and will positively not be handled by our members.

In order to avoid all disputes and controversies we would advise dealers and contractors buying of or through wall paper jobbers to insist that strictly unionmade papers be supplied to them.

Respectfully yours,

THOMAS MCMURRY,

President, L. U. 490.

LOUIS COHEN,

Rec. Sec'y., L. U. 490,
B. of P. D. & P. H. of A.

THE STOCKTON SETTLEMENT.

Peace With Honor.

Below is the text of the agreement under which the general lockout in the city of Stockton, Cal., was brought to an end after a seven months struggle.

Agreement.

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 17th day of December, 1914, by and between a committee of three members representing the Merchants, Manufacturers and Employers Association, hereinafter I called the Association and a similar committee of three representing the Building Trades Council of San Joaquin County and the Central Labor Council of San Joaquin County hereinafter called the Unions, witnesseth;

That in order to speedily terminate the industrial struggle in the city of Stockton and to prevent a recurrence of the same it is hereby mutually agreed as follows:

1. That the Unions agree to stop all boycotting and all picketing and that notice to that effect be sent to the parties boycott

ed in the same manner as the original notice of boycott was sent.

2. That the Association agrees to withdraw the letter sent by them to the Building Trades Council and to the Central Labor Council under date of June 26th, 1914, and notice to that effect be sent to them in the same manner as the original letter was sent. 3. That wages and hours are to remain the same as in force on July 8th, 1914.

4. That a committee of three from each side be appointed to which shall be referred all questions affecting wages and hours, which may arise between the two parties, the decision of said committee to be binding on both sides; it being definitely understood that no drastic action shall be taken by either side until after said committee has considered the matter and rendered a decision.

In witness whereof this agreement is signed in duplicate and delivered on the date first above written, by the Conference Committee representing both parties hereto; thereunto duly authorized.

ROBERT INGLIS, EDWARD L. GNEKOW, F. J. VIEBROCK,

Committee representing the Association. J. T. WOODS,

J. B. DALE,

Jos. ECK,

Committee representing the Unions.

A LONG FELT WANT.

The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America has now. become international in its scope, extending throughout the United States, its possessions and Canada, with a membership of nearly 100,000 of God's best created. In this vast throng of men we naturally expect to find some less fortunate brother who has been stricken with some dread malady, is crippled,. or has grown old in the services of his fellowman, and so has become incapacitated from earning subsistence for self or family.

As disease and affliction are no respectors of persons, it may strike one who is in the pride of his youth, and who without care and attention may become a derelict upon the sea of life. It then becomes our privilege as one of this grand Brotherhood, to be expected to extend relief so we may lighten his burdens and that he may feel he has a friend indeed.

We have in the past given whatever assistance possible, but in so doing have we done all we should do, or all that should be expected of the greatest of all labor organizations? The burden has fallen on the individual local or member, and in some instances locals in distress received some assistance from other locals, all of whom have done all possible uncomplainingly, but, oh! the good that could be accomplished if the entire Brotherhood would assume the responsibility.

As affliction is incident to human life it becomes our duty as a Brotherhood to provide ways and means whereby a brother who is afflicted with tuberculosis, paralysis, rheumatism, loss of eye-sight, or other ailments may receive care and treatment, that they may, where possible, become mended in both health and body.

One could suggest many methods whereby a home could be erected and maintained without being a hardship to any individual member, but I will at this time encroach upon time or space only to enumerate but two: First, let every member give $1.00 at his birthday for two years. Second, let every member stand for an extra assessment of ten cents a month for twenty-four months.

We intend that this proposition shall be brought before our next general assembly at Dallas, that it may be a subject of discussion, and the most salient features invited that the result may be a home for afflicted and superannuated members of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America.

DELL C MOORE,

Local No. 786.

Hotel Pullman, Hot Springs, Ark.

We regret to say that the men on the job are not union men. Evidently the Pullman does not desire the patronage of trade unionists or their friends.

RESOLUTION OF L. U. 786.

The following resolution was adopted by Local 786, Sedalia, Mo., on December 9, 1914: Whereas, The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America is an organization whose purpose is to extend relief to its afflicted worthy members; and

Whereas, We having heard the "Macedonian cry," deem it necessary that the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America erect and maintain a home where worthy brother members who are afflicted with diseases which undermine the constitution and destroy vitality, or who have become permanently disabled through accident or the negligence of a brother workman while employed at the trade to the extent of being incapacitated from earning a livelihood; and

Whereas, Such a home would establish