NEW YORK LONDON

Read What Thos. Pierrepont, President of the New York Association of Master House Painters, says:-"Vitralite is the best enamel that I have ever seen from every stand point. I have tried everything that appeared good during the past twenty years; always having in mind as an ideal just what this enamel will prove. It is easy to work and the finished job is marvelously fine."-Thos. E. Pierrepont, Rochester, N. Y.

Undertakers' Bills.

Some local unions have been seriously crippled by assuming the expense of the funerals of members without known relatives or whose remains were not claimed. Where friends fail to claim the body, the local is entitled to use $50.00 of any amount due as death benefit; if no relatives are found the local is entitled to all of it. In some instances, however, without ascertaing the standing of a deceased member or inquiring whether he left relatives, a local union has given him an expensive funeral and afterwards discovered that he was not in good standing or had relatives who refused to waive their legal right to the amount due, less the $50 the constitution provides may be used when the remains are unclaimed by friends.

The membership books of a deceased member should be carefully examined before any responsibility is assumed. If the member is in good standing the expense should be kept within the constitutional limit of $50. This is done in Chicago and should be possible elsewhere. There is no justification for unnecessary expense. A quiet simplicity should mark such occasions; high-priced caskets and carriages

CHICAGO HAMBURG

for committees merely add to the profits of the undertaker and at best are a waste of money that could be used for better purposes.

Certification of Membership Books.

Where erasures or corrections appear in membership books accompanying claims for benefits, the day book of the local of which the deceased was a member at the time the doubtful entry was made is sent for. The locals recognize the necessity of this precaution and cheerfully forward their books, but are not willing to send them to Headquarters to make possible the certifying of a living member's record, as would be necessary if books containing erasures or corrections were verified. Only books which are filled and in which no erasures or corrections have been made should be sent for certification.

Section 93.-Honorary Members.

When it is desired to transfer a member to the honorary list under the provisions of Section 93 of the constitution the due book of the member containing his record for two years preceding should be sent to Headquarters. If the member is found eligible the transfer must be record

ed on the monthly report of the financial secretary.

As membership books are forwarded to Headquarters for different reasons, a letter should be enclosed with each, stating the purpose for which it is sent. Defense Fund.

During the eighteen weeks the shop trades on the Illinois Central have been on strike, the machinists and blacksmiths have received regular weekly benefits. We have given such occasional help as the small amount set aside for this purpose would permit; it has averaged 50c per week for each member. Not many found other employment as it was in the dead of winter and the majority live in towns where there is no work outside of the railroad shops. This strike is exceptional only in this: The house local usually goes out in the busy season and members working in shops that do not concede the demands are able to find some work for themselves or are assisted by the men in the shops that surrender. In no instance are we able to give a larger measure of help than we have given the railway equipment men on the Illinois Central.

The proposed amendment to the constitution, providing that at the close of the month each local union should set aside 5c per member to create a Defense Fund, subject to call from Headquarters in emergencies-did not receive enough endorsements to permit its submission. It should be kept in view, discussed under "good and welfare" and again presented in time to be submitted on July first if the necessary number of endorsements are obtained.

The R. R. Employes Department. We have been admitted to the Railroad Employees Department of the A. F. of L. This gives us the entree to all System Federations and assures us the support of the other trades-provided we show them that we are able and willing to furnish the bread and butter that makes it possible to stay to the finish in the fight for better conditions.

Life and Death.

As a matter of dollars and cents and for other and more weighty reasons we are vitally interested in knowing to what extent health is affected and life shortened by the conditions under which we work. From the number of deaths reported, we know that the death rate among painters is above the general average and much higher than the death rate among business men, lawyers, bankers and preachThe certificates accompanying claims

ers.

for benefits show that in many instances death is due to or hastened by our occupation, a fact corroborated and emphasized by the evidence submitted in connection with disability claims. But many deaths are never reported to Headquarters so that we have no accurate knowledge of the actual death rate among the members of the Brotherhood. Neither do we know anything of the amount of sickness resulting from the occupation or of the loss of time and wages from that cause. All we know is that there is much sickness among our members and that many are unemployed during a considerable part of the year; that this in turn subjects them to privations which lower their vitality and leave them an easy prey to disease-a vicious circle from which we must find some escape.

Accurate information upon this important matter is absolutely necessary to enable us to intelligently draft wage scales and prepare agreements with the employers. We do not know what our average earnings are. If we could state this positively, our demands for increased wages would be much more effective. Such information would also assist in getting better conditions on the job, safer scaffolding, a chance to wash and to charge our clothing and a decent place in which to eat lunch. It would also show the necessity for legislation to safeguard the health, the limbs and the lives of the men who follow our trade.

Local Union 194 collects such statistics regarding its members and District Council 14 is extending the work to cover the entire membership in the city of Chicago. Each local union should appoint some competent member as statistician to gather the facts necessary to give us an intelligent and accurate knowledge of these extremely important facts regarding the health and well-being of the entire membership of the Brotherhood.

The death rate among cigar-makers from consumption has been greatly reduced since the establishment of the eight hour day and the same result followed the shorter work day in the printing office. The benefit of the reduction in the working hours of painters is offset by the introduction of stop-watch methods, by our being compelled to work at forced speed. Another cause of sickness and of the premature break-down of painters is overtime. In the rush season some men make ten or twelve days in a single week, adding to their earnings at the expense of their health. This practice conflicts with

The Factory Finisher.

The Amalgamated Woodworkers' International Association has passed out of existence; in compliance with the instructions of the Atlanta convention of the A. F. of L., it has merged with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. That organization will transfer the finishers to

us.

For some time we have had the membership of those employed by the Brunswick-Balke-Collander Company and a number of other manufacturers of building trim.

a

For years we have worked and fought for jurisdiction over factory finishers who are in direct competition with our members who work upon buildings. Each year larger share of the work is done in the factory and we realize the necessity of controlling the factory finish ing-shop. We have succeeded in part, but the problem is not solved. The factory finisher now carries a Brotherhood card, but the difference between the wage in the factory and on the building remains.

The Chicago District Council has established a uniform scale for finishers employed on building trim, whether working in the factory or on the job. The general contractors have retaliated by having trim manufactured and finished in union factories in outside towns where the scale is much lower. This creates a serious situation; without intent, Brotherhood men are undermining the wage scale of fellow members. The higher scale in the larger cities diverts the work into the low wage factories.

tion and cooperation. There is no. excuse for remaining aloof and indifferent. We hope to see an immediate increase in the number of efficient councils.

The Painter and Decorator.

If the Postmaster General was in a conspiracy with the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Association, the Steel Trust, and the rest of our relentless enemies, he could not render them more effective service. He is constantly devising new schemes to increase the cost of the mailing and to delay the distribution of trade union journals.

Much of the work of the railway mail service has been placed on the shoulders of the publishers; second class matter heretofore carried on mail trains is now shipped by "fast freight."

Not satisfied with imposing these hardships he now asks Congress to double the rates for second class matter. We believe this is a scheme to punish the trade union journals, the socialist publications and the popular magazines for daring to criticize biased courts and grafting politicians. If the reform press is not to be silenced-in death-we must get to work. Every local union is urged to send letters to the congressmen representing its district and to its United States Senators, urging them to oppose any increase in the rates on second class matter and to vote for the Dodd's Bill, which, if enacted, will save trade union journals from unjust discrimination.

If Mr. Hitchcock wants to economise, let him insist on a reduction in the exorbitant rates paid the railroads for carrying mail and the outrageous rentals paid for mail cars.

Workmen's Compensation.

Compensation to workmen for injury or to their dependents for death resulting

from the occupation is a subject which closely concerns us. The law of the State of Washington is the best so far enacted; copies can be secured from the Secretary of State, Olympia. As yet, it applies only to hazardous occupations, among which our trade is included. The compensation is more liberal than is provided in other compensation laws and its payment s guaranteed by the state.

Ohio and Wisconsin have enacted elective laws-that is, an employer may come in or stay out, but is placed at a disadvantage if he does the latter. The value of both laws is lessened by a provision restricting their application to establishments which employ five or more men.

The movement for the enactment of such legislation is general; proposed laws should be carefully studied and their shortcomings pointed out to our State legislators.

Conclusion.

We should be well satisfied with the course of events-all things work together for good. The many attacks on the industrial field have been successfully repulsed; the set-backs in the courts have led us to close ranks; even the McNamara case may be a disguised blessing if it drives home a conviction of the criminal folly of physical force and opens our eyes to the necessity of facing our opponents on the political field and exerting the tremendous power we possess in the ballot.

The employer who laughs at broken heads and shattered windows, knowing that the labor agency will furnish more strikebreakers and the insurance company replace his broken glass, dreads that long despised and neglected weapon of the workers. And yet he and his fellows are

DISTRICT COUNCILS, LOCAL BUSINESS

opening our eyes to the necessity of its use. Every injunction that deprives us of our right to plead with the men who take our places and to enlighten a misinformed public-that closes our mouths and throt tles the spoken truth; every time the militia is called out to intimidate us and prevent our peacefully assembling to discuss our grievances; every abuse of power by the courts and by holders of political offices proclaims to all who have ears that the power that our numbers gives must be used. From our own ranks we must fill executive offices and choose the men who have power to elect or appoint judges, so that men may be chosen who will dis pense justice to all and grant privileges to

none.

Thursdays, 309-11 W.

Madison st. Cincinnati, Ohio, 12-Meets Trades Union Hall, 114 E. Court st.

Milwaukee and Los Angeles, Schenec tady and Butte bear witness that we hear and understand. We are learning to get together as wage workers-as our employ. ers get together as employers-to get together and to stay together. Experience, hard knocks and the untiring preaching of our leaders have helped this educational process, but the example of the capitalists, the concentration of wealth and the control" of great industries by a few men-who a operate them for personal profit solely, without regard for the health, the lives or well-being of the men employed, of publi interest or of the law, and whose offense: against society and humanity are ignored,| or excused by venal and subservient courts -are object lessons that convince, arguments that are unanswerable. To meet and cope with these issues we must be alert and aggressive, take advantage of every opportunity, and use to the full our strength in the industrial and in the political field. We must organize, agitate, and educate.

UNIONS, ORGANIZERS AND AGENTS

Paterson, N. J., 19-Meets every second and fourth
Wednesday, Labor Lyceum.
Philadelphia, Pa., 21-Meets Monday evenings, 232
N. 9th st.

Pittsburg, Pa., 1-Meets Friday evening, Labor Temple, Pittsburg

Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 40-Meets first Sunday in each month, 129 N. Clinton st.

Queens and Nassau Co., N. Y., 28-Meets every Saturday evening at 8 p. m., Lincoln Hall, 33 Fulton st., Jumaica, L. I.

Rochester, N. Y., 18-Meets every second Friday evening, 42 Exchange st.

San Antonio, Tex., 39-Meets every Friday night, 114 S. Alamo st.

San Francisco, Cal., 8-Meets Wednesdays, Building
Trades Temple, 14th and Guerrero sts.
Savannah, Ga., 26-Meets every second and fourth
Thursdays.

Seattle, Wash., 31-Meets every Monday, Headquarters, Labor Temple.

Toronto, Ont., Canada. 30-Meets fourth Friday, Labor Temple.

Twin City, Minn., 22-Meets at Brooks' Hall, 1929 University ave., second Monday of month.

+

15 Birmingham, Ala.-R. W. Wardell, E. Lake, Ala. Bus. Agt. Lee Wilson, 415 N. 50th st.

41 Boston, Mass.-Ed. A. Fitzgerald, 386 Harrison ave.

Bus. Agts. John T. Cashman (D. O.), 39 E. 3rd st., S. Boston; J. F. Welch (D. O.), 89 E. Brookline st. Buffalo, N. Y.-W. C. Roderick, 57 Palace Arcade. Bus. Agt. Henry Streifler, 57 Palace Arcade. 24 Chicago, Ill.-Jas. E. Root, 309-311 W. Madison st. Bus. Agts. Wm. Kretschmar, 4505 Drake ave. (275); Al Jaax, 10104 Eggleston ave. (265); O. G. Foster, 6921 Normal ave. (184); E. Hitt, 4618 Indiana ave (191); John Cooper, 1581 Maple ave., Evanston (54); E. B. Thompson, 533 Root st. (521): O. Berthelsen (194); D. A. McCauley_(27); J. Clifford (27); Leland P. Smith (584); W. E. Rodriquez (180); Albert Michau, 347 92nd st. (225); J. Jacks, 3531 Melrose st. (430); W. G. Lathrope, 1934 W. 35th st. (880).

12 Cincinnati, O.-Oscar Matthews, 921 W. 9th ave. Bus. Agts. Sam Kelly, 237 E. 18th st., Covington, Ky.; E. H. Mendenhall, 29 E. 12th st.

6 Cleveland, O.-W. E. Welker, 2161 W. 83rd st. Bus. Agt. Tom Wilson, 1990 W. 45th st.

82 Berkshire Co., Williamstown, Mass.-Jos. A. McDonough, 21 Atwood ave., Pittsfield, Mass. Agt. Jos. A. McDonough, 21 Atwood ave.

Bus.

16 Columbia, S. O.-A. J. Royal, Box 194.

17 Dallas, Tex.-Aug. W. Schulz, 1505 Mays ave. Bus. Agt. G. W. Penn, 605 Browder st.

3 Denver, Colo.-H. F. Swigart, 2501 Arapahoe st. Bus. Agts. C. W. Weimer, 207 8. Lincoln st. (800); Henry Levoe, 1756 Champa st. (79).

10 Essex County, N. J.-C. F. Hedge, 456 Devon st., Arlington, N. J. Bus. Agts. Wm. Wylie, 48 William st., Newark. A. Slutzky, 48 William st.

7 Hudson County, N. J., and Vicinity-R. P. Nielsen, 103 Grant ave., Jersey City, N. J. Bus. Agt. W. B. Hunter, 452 Hoboken ave., Jersey City, N. J. 27 Indianapolis, Ind.-Fred Saylor, 210 N. Delaware st. Bus. Agts. L. A. Barth, 3009 Cap. ave. (912); Fred Saylor, 210% N. Delaware st. (47).

33 Jacksonville, Fla.-Harry Dodds, 10 W. Orange st. 34 Kansas City, Mo.-H. H. Small, 4202 Holly st. Bus. Agt. L. F. Shaw, 1818 Oak st.

29 Kings Co., N. Y.-Wm. Haas, 9 Myrtle ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Bus. Agts. Jos. Thompson, 1114 38th st., Brooklyn; Fred Malett, 144 Rogers ave.

13 Knoxville, Tenn.-W. B. Hatcher, 506 Citico st. 36 Los Angeles, Cal.-H. O. Bricker, 105 E. Walnut st., Pasadena, Cal. Bus. Agt. Gus Uhl, Box 616, Pasadena.

6 Milwaukee, Wis.-O. A. Lund, 509 27th st. Bus. Agt. Chas. Voeltz, Brisbane Hall, Room 205, Cor. 6th and Chestnut sts.

21 Philadelphia, Pa.-R. A. Newman, 1311 Arch st Bus. Agts. R. A. Newman, 1311 Arch st.; Wm. Ambecker; Ambrose Dunleavy; John McShane, 1429 S. 17th st.

1 Pittsburg and Vicinity-Edw. M. Adams, 1843 Colwell st. Bus. Agts. Geo. A. Watt, 209 Whitfield st., Pittsburg; E. M. Clark, 18 Harlan ave., N. S., Pittsburg.

40 Poughkeepsie, N. Y.-F. A. Monell, 139 N. Clinton st. Bus. Agt. L. E. Smith, 167 Morrison st. 28 Queens and Nassau Counties, N. Y.-Wm. Warren, 45 Norris ave., Jamaica, L. I.

18 Rochester, N. Y.-Wm. K. Harrington, 20 Fountain

st.

39 San Antonio, Texas-M. L. Fitch, 1901 Virginia st. Bus. Agt. John Stennett, 1901 Matamoros st., Sta. A.

8 San Francisco, Cal.-W. L. Reed, 55 Holly Park ave Bus. Agts. N. F. Smith; W. J. Burchell, 2551 8th ave. (510); John Kelley, 200 Guerrero st. (19); Lawrence Everett, 200 Guerrero st. (19).

26 Savannah, Ga.-B. E. Ellerkamp, 212 W. State st.
Bus. Agt. Geo. Strongman, 250 Montgomery st.
Bus.
Seattle, Wash.-C. E. Olds, Labor Temple.
Agts. Ernest Wilson, 1164 Thomas st.; R. E.
Orchard Labor Temple.

31

2 St. Louis, Mo.-Chas. J. Lammert, 2651-53 Locust st. Bus. Agts. Chas. J. Lammert, 2651-53 Locust st. (137); Wm. Kemp (115); Chas. J. Eisenring, 2651-53 Locust st. (341); E. P. Downey, 1927 Newhouse ave. (46); C. Pfiffer, 1025 S. 13th st. (513). 30 Toronto, Ont. Can J. G. Fitze, 15 Clark st. 22 Twin City, Minn.-E. P. Lee, 708 Broadway st., St.

Paul, Minn. Bus. Agts. A. G. Bainbridge, 38 6th st., S. (186); C. T. Frye, 8516 S. Oldrich ave. (P. H.); J. E. Hobrecker, 220 Claremount st., St. Paul.

37 Washington, D. C.-H. Baumgardner, 912 D. st., S. W. Bus. Agt. H. Digney, 1330 Emerson st., N. E.

20 Westchester Co., N. Y.-Edw. Ackerley, 10 Depot Sq., Tarrytown, N. Y.

CONFERENCES.

Connecticut State Conference-Jas. J. Dunn, Box 897, Hartford, Conn.

Connecticut Valley Conference-R. Werner, 590 Morris st., Springfield, Mass.

Mass. North Shore District

Conference-Alexander

Taylor, 23 Federal st., Salem, Mass. Massachusetts State Conference-P. H. Triggs 218 Walnut st.. Springfield, Mass. Northwest Painters Conference-Bert Bigelow, 1700 Hurst st., Portland, Ore.

New Jersey State Conference-R. P. Nielsen, 103 Grant
ave., Jersey City, N. J.
Rock River Valley District Conference-O. A. Downes,
955 Marshall st., Lake Geneva, Wis.

St. Joe Valley Conference J. G. Schrock, 231 Aspen-
wald ave., Elkhart, Ind.
Tri-County Conference Board-Thos. Wright, 746
Coney Island ave., Brooklyn.
The Kansas Southeastern Conference-0.
tingly, 607 N. Pine st., Pittsburg, Kans.
Tri-State Conference-H. S. Helgeson, 1610 McGhee st.,
Kansas City, Mo.

A. Mat

Worcester Co. Conference-J. E. Heffren, 168 Front st. Ontario and Western New York Painters' ConferenceR. Sparling, 1842 Claveland ave., Niagara Falls, N. Y. Joint Ex. Committee of Montreal-Jos. Nelson, 405 Rivard st.