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It is suggested that the candidates who are not. retiring general officers should be represented on the Election Board which under the present law is appointed by the General Executive Board. In a referendum election many irregularities occur and in each instance the Election Board has to decide whether the omission or error is of such nature and importance as to justify the rejection of the vote. Sometimes the evidence for and against is evenly balanced and in such cases it is reasonable to expect the members of the Election Board to be inclined to favor the candidates by whom they are appointed. Some arrangement, perhaps more fair than the present law, could be devised.

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One extreme is as bad as the other. The wretchedly small vote is a sign of indifference and of a lack of vitality that bodes ill for the local union. The exceptionally large vote is an excellent sign-if it be honest. Where a local member is a candidate and is making an aggressive campaign, it is natural that the vote should be large and, even though it be one-sided, the presumption is that it is an accurate expression of the will of the members. And where a local union not immediately interested in any particular candidate polls a large percentage of its membership there is no reason to doubt its fairness provided the votes are reasonably distributed among the different candidates. But when a local union not directly interested in one or other of the candidates polls 80 or 90 per cent. of its membership and there is only a sprinkling of scattered votes, there is reasonable ground for suspicion that all is not well.

It is difficult to safe-guard a referendum election in an international trade union as thoroughly as a municipal election in which each political party has a watcher in every polling station. In the labor organization the honesty of the election depends upon the election officers and the individual members; either can prevent dishonesty if they wish to. A single member can prevent fraud in the largest local union. It may subject him to insult and

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abuse, but it can be done by the man who has courage and is willing to make some sacrifice for principle.

Some members, who complain of irregularities, express a hope that this will be the last election of general officers and delegates by the referendum. It is quite likely that fraud has been practiced in some instances, but corrupt practices are not peculiar to referendum elections nor are they encouraged by the system. Sharp practices are used in the election of delegates to conventions and wire pulling and questionable methods of electioneering discredit the general assembly. If some local unions have padded the returns of their vote, the membership is responsible and must bear the disgrace which is associated with dishonesty. There can be little satisfaction, either to a candidate or his friends, in a victory gained by fraud.

As time passes we believe that a higher standard of morals and conduct will obtain among the membership and that at each recurring election the returns sent in will record the actual number of members present and voting. In the meantime, the local unions that vote honestly have the satisfaction born of a clear conscience and the consolation that the fraudulent votes credited to one candidate are offset, perhaps, by those recorded for his opponent.

We try to have his due.

Disgusting

be fair-the devil should To be suspicious of the motives of others is neither commendable nor pleasing, still, we believe that a liberal and painful experience justifies the workers in looking carefully into the mouth of any Congressional gift horse.

When the Eight-hour Bill was before the House, members from industrial districts besieged the Speaker for recognition that they might deliver fulsome eulogies of labor-"dope" for use when they seek re-election. When it gets back from the Senate the bill may be butchered so that its author will not know it, a possibility which may account for its unanimous passage, but that an election is near at hand is the simple and correct explanation of the sickening insincerities indulged in by members whose seats are bought and paid for by labor's enemies. These bids for votes were made in the hope that unceasing enmity to our welfare and persistent disregard for the public good will be forgotten and forgiven in thoughtless gratification at being slobbered over by these congressional harlots.

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Brother Chas. Traub, of Local Union No. 703, Philadelphia, Pa.

Brother Chas. Schweinhagen, of Local Union

No. 703, Philadelphia, Pa.

Brother P. C. Mease, of Local Union No. 194, Chicago, Ill.

Brother Wm. T. McCord, of Local Union No. 59, Elizabeth, N. J.

Brother Wm. H. Donovan, of Local Union

No. 603, San Francisco, Cal. Brother John Tennant, of Local Union No. 21, New Britain, Conn.

Brother Louis Feinberg, of Local Union No. 94, Pittsfield, Mass.

Brother S. C. Singletary, of Local Union No.

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Brother Henry Hoocks, of Local Union No. 456, Nashville, Tenn.

Brother Thomas J. More, of Local Union No. 7, Toledo, Ohio.

Brother Wm. J. Conners, of Local Union No. 47, Indianapolis, Ind. Brother Claus Wegner, of Local Union No. 199, Davenport, Iowa. Brother Frank W. Gilman, of Local Union No. 613, Burlington, Vt. Brother A. C. Myers, of Local Union No. 424, Little Rock, Ark. Brother J. M. McFarland, of Local Union No. 19, San Francisco, Cal. Brother John G. Lloyd, of Local Union No. 102, Cleveland, Ohio. Brother Wm. H. Drake, of Local Union No. 150, Rochester, N. Y. Brother John O'Rourke, of Local Union No. 580, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Brother Herman F. Staib, of Local Union No. 670, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brother Alfred Milver, of Local Union No. 345, Philadelphia, Pa.

Brother Medore Champoux, of Local Union
No. 349, Montreal, Que., Canada.
Brother F. C. Billings, of Local Union No.
487, Sacramento, Cal.

Brother M. R. Myers, of Local Union No. 424, Little Rock, Ark.

Brother Joseph Williams, of Local Union No. 121, Long Island City, N. Y.

Brother C. W. Savage, of Local Union No. 184, Chicago, Ill.

Brother Andrew Schreiner, of Local Union

No. 275, Chicago, Ill.

Brother Wm. Oslonnell, of Local Union No. 407, St. Catherines, Ont., Canada. Brother E. Dubean, of Local Union No. 200, Ottawa, Ont., Canada.

Brother Fred Lyon, of Local Union No. 497, Port Chester, N. Y.

Brother H. T. Green, of Local Union No. 110, Bradford, Pa.

Brother Chas. Evans, of Local Union 286, Rochester, N. Y.

Brother E. M. Cook, of Local Union No. 77, Salt Lake, Utah.

Brother J. C. Simmons, of Local Union No. 150, Rochester, N. Y.

Brother J. D. Huff, of Local Union No. 333, San Diego, Cal.

Brother W. H. Davis, of Local Union No. 270, Grand Junction, Colo.

Brother W. T. Murrish, of Local Union No. 388, Palo Alto, Cal.

Brother Robert A. Wilson, of Local Union No. 69, Utica, N. Y.

Brother Ovila Maille, of Local Union No. 349, Montreal, Que., Canada. Brother Wm. G. Simmons, of Local Union No. 848, New York City, N. Y. Brother Frank F. Littleton, of Local Union No. 420, Washington, D. C. Brother Oscar Roeck, of Local Union No. 121, Long Island City, N. Y. Brother Emil Scheutzler, of Local Union No. 848, New York City, N. Y. Brother John Halbert, of Local Union No. 892, New York City, N. Y. Brother Lawrence Sorensen, of Local Union No. 414, Clinton, Mass.

WHY NOT SAVE TIME AND LABOR Monarch Egg Shell Enamel Gives a Perfect Rubbed Effect Without Rubbing.

WRITE FOR SAMPLE.

CHAS. H. GILLESPIE & SONS,

Jersey City, N. J.

Brother Wm. Phillips, of Local Union No.

38, Oswego, N. Y. Brother Wm. Kirsch, of Local Union No. 43, Buffalo, N. Y.

Brother James Clifford, of Local Union No.
892, New York City, N. Y.
Brother J. Calvin Everhart, of Local Union
No. 674, Royersford, Pa.

Brother Wm. Turner, of Local Union No. 190, Bridgeport, Conn.

Brother John P. Lundgren, of Local Union
No. 44, Lawrence, Mass.
Brother Joseph Frederick, of Local Union
No. 257, Springfield, Mass.
Brother George Comeau, of Local Union No.
31, Syracuse, N. Y.

Brother Valentine Borre, of Local Union No.
848, New York, N. Y.
Brother Thomas Keil, of Local Union No.
82, Norfolk, Va.

Brother Thos. K. Wilson, of Local Union

No. 37, Detroit, Mich. Brother Frank O'Donnell, of Local Union No. 6, Pittsburg, Pa.

Brother N. C. Davids, of Local Union No. 531, Tarrytown, N. Y.

Brother Edward Fitzens, of Local Union No. 172, San Antonio, Texas.

Brother Frank Lynskey, of Local Union No. 426, Philadelphia, Pa.

Brother Charles Faung, of Local Union No. 54, Evanston, Ill.

Brother John Gallagher, of Local Union No. 1006, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brother Ernest E. Kessler, of Local Union No. 927, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brother Charles Schnitzer, of Local Union 670, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brother Otto Benzenberg, of Local Union No. 670, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Brother W. M. Anderson, of Local Union No. 86, Phoenix, Ariz.

Brother Selvin Kinkead, of Local Union No. 687, Lawrence, Mass.

Brother Wm. F. MacGregor, of Local Union No. 218, Scranton, Pa.

THE ELECTION.

The canvass of the votes cast in the recent election is a greater task than was anticipated. Over 600 unions participated and the work was increased by the additional ballot-that for delegates to conventions of the Building Trades Department.

As the January Painter and Decorator will be in the mails before the work is finished, the summary of the result will appear in the February number.

WATCH YOUR BENEFITS.

Local Unions in Arrears.

Any L. U. becoming two months in arrears for percapita tax to the general office shall at once be notified by the G. 8.-T., and failing to settle all arrearages in twenty-one days from the date of such notice its members shall not be entitled to benefits nor shall they again be entitled to benefits until three months after all arrearages are paid. Section 15 of the Constitution.

Unions two months in arrears on closing monthly accounts December 31, 1911:

168, 202, 306, 315, 820, 360, 870, 372, 425, 439, 441, 457, 548, 596, 598, 675, 676, 697, 701, 721, 744, 772, 775, 887, 860, 916, 921, 968.

THE DIRECTORY.

The list of secretaries and business agents of local unions and district councils will be published in its entirety in the February number. Many of the changes made at the December elections have not yet been reported, so the usual list is omitted from this issue. Secretaries are requested to report changes at once so that the directory. in the February number may be correct to date.

INFORMATION WANTED.

If Carl Williams is alive and will write to Myrtle Van Kuren at Durand, Ill., he will learn something to his advantage.

Of Philip Paulson. When last heard of was located in Providence, R. I. Notify Birger G. A. Rosentwist, Royal Vice-Consulate of Sweden, Boston, Mass.

WANTED TO KNOW WHEREABOUTS OF.

F. G. Powell, formerly of L. U. No. 300, Seattle, Wash. Notify W. T. Ginn, 467 Hohman St., Hammond, Ind.

DUE BOOKS LOST OR STOLEN.

Brother And. Mangold, Card No. 44484. Duplicate book. Notify Brother Phil H. Schmitt, F. S. of L. U. No. 261, 211 E. 88th St., New York.

Of Brother Anton Peterson, Card No. 72264. Notify Brother Chas. Schernickan, Blackhawk, Davenport, Ia.

Of Brother J. R. Davis, Card No. 6367. Notify Brother Chas. Schernickan, Blackhawk, Davenport, Ia.

Of Brother Wm. Guggenberger, Card No. 34,676, New York, N. Y. Notify Frank Hayes, F. S. of L. U. No. 454, 1326 S. Boulevard, New York, N. Y.

Of Brother J. F. Clark, Card No. 12005. Notify Brother A. J. Waech, F. S. of L. U. No. 10, 184 E. 69th St., N. Portland, Ore.

Of Brother E. L. Phelps, Card No. 46913. Notify Brother C. Z. Hathaway, R. S. of L. U. No. 389, Box 295, Conneaut, Ohio.

Of Brother Thos. Kerwin, Card No. 11514. Notify Brother Fred Gundlach, F. S. of L. U. No. 801, Box 407, Bremerton, Wash. Of Brother Philip Racowsky, Card No. 50738. Notify Brother Paul Arcus, F. S. of L. U. No. 868, 19 Benson St., Patterson, N. J.

Of Brother E. M. Sampson. Notify Joe Brennan, 2036 Colorado Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

Of Brother Charles Schoenborn, Card No. 84370. Notify Brother Ph. H. Schmitt, 311 E. 88th St., New York, N. Y.

FINED.

Brother F. Morrison, of L. U. No. 138, Vancouver, B. C., Canada.

Brother A. M. Taylor, of L. U. No. 318, Fort Worth, Texas.

EXPELLED.

Brother O. C. Couts, by L. U. No. 928, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Joe Costell, John Bartley, Jules Szukis, Geo. Winkler, Mike Szekeres, James Hill, Anton Dengler and E. Stanke, by L. U. No. 688 (Burnside), Chicago, Ill.

FINED AND EXPELLED.

Harry W. Monte and Jess Sullivan, of L. U. No. 215, East St. Louis, Ill.

Jas. Forseman, Card No. 35529; C. B. Hoffman and A. F. Hedge, Card No. 67086, of L. U. No. 935, Tulsa, Okla.

Fred Wardlow and Merle Meeklin, of L. U. No. 363, Champaign and Urbana, Ill.

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DISTRICT COUNCIL UPHELD.

Injunction Denied New York Employer.

Some time ago it was discovered that certain members of the Brotherhood working for Mr. D. Auld, of New York city, were not receiving the scale. Charges were preferred, the cases tried and the offenders found guilty. They were fittingly punished and Mr. Auld notified that hereafter he must hire men through the District Council office. He refused to comply and appealed to the courts to enjoin D. C. No. 9 from preventing him hiring men without the intervention of the council. In denying the motion Judge Byer, before whom the case was argued, said:

Auld V. Zimmerman et al.-"I do not understand the theory upon which an injunction is asked against these defendants. It seems that there has existed between plaintiff and defendants' union an agreement regarding the employment of union members in plaintiff's shop, and that such an agreement is terminable at will. For the quite patent purpose of more completely and satisfactorily controlling the employment and wages of its members the union desires to add to the agreement a clause providing that its members should be employed only through an office which it maintains. The plaintiff is not willing to make such an agreement, and the union, with apparently conceded right, has ordered a strike. Yet for some reason plaintiff seems to think that this gives him a cause of action. He also complains that he has been put upon what he calls 'an unfair list.' Just what he understands by that term is not clear, but from all the facts disclosed from both his and defendant's affidavits this list appears to consist only of the simplest form of communication between the union and its members that there is a strike at plaintiff's shop because of his refusal to maintain an agreement with the defendant. I find nothing in the moving papers which, either under National Protective Association v. Cummings (170 N. Y. 315), or any other case with which I am familiar, would warrant the issuing of an injunction. There is no claim that any violence, intimidation or improper means are employed by the defendants. Motion denied with $10.00 costs."

CONVENTION OF THE RAILROAD EMPLOYEES DEPT. OF THE A. F. OF L.

The Railroad Department held its annual convention at the Kaiserhof Hotel, Chicago, commencing Thursday, January 4th. Our readers will be particularly interested to know that the application of the Brotherhood for membership was favorably acted upon and that we are now affiliated with the department. At the same time the application of the Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers' International Association was presented and accepted. This action by the convention gives us the right of admission to all System Federations and will greatly strengthen the position of our Railroad Equipment locals and hasten the more thorough organization of the painters employed in railroad shops.

The situation in the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad was thoroughly discussed, but action was deferrred until the result of

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