It is as

What folly it is for us to borrow money from outside sources to establish and develop industries and then to sell only one-tenth of the fruits of those industries to outsiders! though a large store were to borrow $500,000 for its building, put in a stock of $1,000,000 of goods and then expect financial success by doing 90 per cent. of its business with the people who worked in that store! This is exactly what we are doing in America.

It is the goods a store

sells to outsiders, to persons not in any way connected with that store, that keeps the establishment going. And we only export 10 per cent. of what we make! Germany exports 40 per cent., England 50 per cent. of what they make.

It was in this way that Germany gained her commercial freedom. It is in the above described way that America wil lead the world.

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I will stand with anybody who stands right, keep with him while he is right, and part with him when he is wrong.-Abraham Lincoln.

Little did the United Hatters think ten years ago what a mighty principle would be eventually established by their action, a great cause and a great sacrifice was theirs, and now the issue having been decided adversely, and out of all this travail and litigation has come a new act of Congress, known as the Clayton anti-trust act, which declares "That the labor power of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce." The organized forces of labor are showing that they can share with their fellows and pay the bill. Will you give an hour's pay? This question will be answered affirmatively by all of our members at a summoned meeting. No. 5 has always stood ready and willing to help every worthy cause.

We have an organization known as the Pennsylvania Division of the Women's National Defense League— some name. Now, fellows, if the women of this country decide that we must be prepared there wil be nothing to stop them, so don't fold your arms, but discuss this matter. This is something of vast importance.

Governor Hoch, of Kansas, says: "He reads American history, in my judgment, with very defective vision who does not see upon every page of it the impress of Providence. I firmly believe the American people are as much the chosen people of God today to carry on His great purposes in the world as were the Israelites of old his chosen people to exemplify His will in their time. In proportion as we measure up to this high ideal I am sure we will prosper as a people, and in proportion as we fail in this sublime mission we shall suffer morally and materially. The white man's burden is upon us. We cannot with safety to ourselves shirk its responsibilities. The Christian civilization committed to our care, typified by our flag, will ultimately encircle and dominate the globe if this nation does its duty. Our first duty, then, is ever to remember that righteousness exalteth a nation."

We had a peculiar accident the other day. The car was about four feet above the floor, and both men were inside removing the operating device. We stood a step-ladder in front of the open space, with the car operator in front of the ladder, to, prevent any one from walking into the pit. A handsome collie dog came rushing into the hallway, between the man's legs, underneath the ladder, and down he went. He escaped with a broken leg.

It is hard to make your work fool proof and dog proof.

Old Mr. Ground Hog paid his annual visit to these parts on February 2d, and, according to tradition, the winter is over.

An old woodsman from Maine told the writer that the woodchuck was the weather forecaster up that way.

He would bury himself in a hollow tree or some secure place, and be prepared for the long winter's siege. Along would come Mr. Skunk and make trouble by crawling into the same hole, being too lazy to burrow for himself. So you see all the skunks are alike. They wait until some other fellow has a nice place. Then they butt in, and if you ever butted into a skunk you know the odor was anything but pleasant.

That was a good resolution passed by Brother McLeod, and we hope others will come across.

We have had more inquiries for Journals during the last month than ever before. We must continue the good work.

Bro. Wm. Evans was taken sick on the street and died shortly after being admitted to the hospital, on January 27th. He was a consistent member, and always loyal and generous.

The Wm Cramp Ship and Engine Building Company, of this city, employing about 4000 men, have increased their wage rate 10 per cent. No. 5. W. B. MACALISTER.

An Engineer's Earnings.

I am a locomotive engineer, and I have been pinching myself ever since I read an article in yesterday's paper to the effect that we passenger men earn $4000 per year.

I sure would like to know what my wife has done with that money, for I fail to find any bank books laying around loose. Gee! I hope Phil Belknap didn't read that article; else he may lecture us on the pauperizing effect of so much money on the working class.

Again, in today's issue we find an editorial suggesting the advisability of the public giving their protection to the railroads in case of labor trouble. This, I assume, means the passing of a law making it a misdemeanor for a railroad man to cease work on account of any demand for betterment, and in that event I suppose we would have the State militia outside the house to escort us to work. Should we apply the old adage, “You

can lead a horse," etc., we would probably be court-martialed and shot for treason against the moneyed interests.

Now, laying aside the comedy for a moment, I want to state some facts in connection with an engineer's pay.

During the past twelve months I earned $1500. There being 312 working days, totaling 3120 hours, at 10 hours per day, I averaged 48 cents per hour.

Now, each and every railroad company has a most delectable system of regulating hours, known as the "Automatic Extension." Working this system (and believe me, they've worked it to a frazzle), they can spread 10 hours over a 24-hour period and still call it 10 hours. Thus a man can work five hours, cut off six, work five more and then he has nothing to do till tomorrow, which, by the way, is only six hours off by that time.

Now, we have come to the conclusion that we only live once, and everything indicates that we are a long while dead; so we reason that we ought to have at least 14 hours off for rest and pleasure, even though it means decreased earnings.

The railroad men of this country are going to attempt to hit this longhour system a crack next March, and if it doesn't fall we are certainly going to walk around back and see what's holding it up.

We don't want overtime; we can't expect an increase; but if the company insists on working us unreasonable hours they must pay the penalty. -Courtesy of John R. Baird, Local No. 5, Philadelphia.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

Business has improved a little since our last report. But still a number of brothers polishing bricks.

Bro. E. A. Johnston had a close call at the Jones Saw Building on February 2d. One of the stay rods of the cab came down thirteen stories and went through the plank he was

working on, just missed his leg and buried itself in the cement floor.

If Brother Brown, of Columbus, continues his frequent trips to the "Iron City" we know there will be a job for the "parson" and a Penn Avenue beanery will be looking for a "cash girl." Congratulations, John. You know we don't allow a mechanic to go out without a helper, and the good book also says it is not good for a man to be alone.

Brother Lighthill has moved out to the Sheridan district, among Billy Sunday's followers. Lighty is considering resigning from the "Good Will Boat Club" and joining the Sunday morning Bible class. The Good Will Club has our sincere sympathy, for Lighty sure is some good "dry land sailor."

As a number of our locals have agreements to consider this spring, why not have articles from the different locals regarding the cost of living in their several cities, so we may be able to put up an intelligible argument to the employers why we need an increase of wages. It seems, according to some economic experts, that the cost of living is higher in the interior cities than the coast or lake cities. One expert gives the minimum at from $750 to $1000 for a family of five-that is, man and wife and three children under 12 years of age. If we take $1000 as the yearly living wage for a family of five in the Pittsburgh district it means a great many sacrifices, and a lot of good management to make both ends meet. If our wages are below that amount (which a great many of us are) it means less shoes, clothes and food if we are to break even financially at the end of the year. In figuring up what we consider the necessaries of life at prevailing prices for a family of five we find a total of $1104.00. I will not take up the space to itemize each article, but I would like to see articles in the March Journal from the other correspondents giving their view of the cost of living.

There is such a thing as a living wage, and a dying wage, or, should

we

say, "murderous or massacre wages." We claim that "living wages" sufficient to maintain health and decency should total $1200 per year.

The family who is trying to subsist on $10 per week is well illustrated in the congested districts of our industrial centers as a "dying wage," where small children are dying daily from lack of proper food and medical attendance. Is it any wonder the country is shocked by the newspaper reports of strikes and riots, such as happened at East Youngstown, Ohio, on January 14th of this year.

Our employers expect a good day's work at handling heavy material, yet they object to paying money enough to buy those things which the body requires to maintain its physical fitness under stress of hard labor. It's a case of "speed up," and when we are no longer able to continue the pace we must step aside for a younger generation, with no provision for old

Uncle Sam's safety first exhibit will open here on February 21st and remain open until February 26th. The exposition will ilustrate the many activities of the government for the saving, protection and conservation of life on land and sea, and in mines, by models, charts, photographs, actual demonstration, display of mechanisms and by movies. There will be displays by the Bureau of Navigation of the Department of Commerce, the reclamation service, the coast Guard, the Bureau of Mines, the Public Health Service, the Children's Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics

and many others. It will be an interesting exhibit, and the members of No. 10 will be amongst the visitors. The only point that will not be covered, and the most interesting from our point of view, will be the maintenance of elevator machinery in Federal buildings.

The elevators are installed as a rule by expert mechanics and equipped with nearly all the modern safety devices, but after the installation they are, in many buildings, turned over to a skilled laborer or a substitute operator to maintain the efficiency of the machine and safeguard the public against accident.

The exhibit should show by chart or pamphlet a skilled elevator constructor making his daily inspection of cables, mechanisms and making needed repairs and adjustments, that would if left to an inexperienced man lead to a serious accident or a costly break in the machinery.

We have a committee gathering data to be presented to the secretary of each department of the government, by which we expect to convince them that it would be economical to employ an elevator constructor to maintain the elevator equipment in their departments.

We would be glad to receive the names of buildings in your city that have elevator constructors maintaining the elevators.

Give us the number of machines in each building and number and wages of members employed to maintain them, and, if possible, a letter from the owner giving his view of the advisability of employing our members. Take an interest in this matter, as it will mean employment for a number of our members, not only in Washington, but throughout the country, and also will mean an advancement in the conservation of life.

The members of No. 10 are still at work, but our membership is smaller than it has been for a number of years.

Brother Herbert, while cutting a piece of grating with a hammer and Ichisel, was unfortunate enough to be

struck in the eye with a piece of grating, causing such a bad wound that his eye had to be removed to save the sight of the other eye. He is getting along nicely, and we expect to see him back at work soon.

The home of the A. F. of L. is well under construction, and Brother Rhea. is installing the elevators.

In conclusion, let me again remind you that the 1916 convention of our international will be held in Washington and that we will feel disappointed if we do not have the pleasure of entertaining a delegate from. your local. Do not forget that resolution you made in January. No. 10.

J. F. HERRITY..

SEATTLE, WASH.

The New Year is well on its way,. and I believe business in general has. a brighter outlook for 1916 than it had the previous year, that is, around the Northwest. There is a little work being done in Seattle at present. Alex Parks has just about finished the new King County Courthouse job.. They have four of the finest elevators that have been built up to date, and Bill Hutton has charge of the Security Building job. They have eight hatchways in the building, but are only instaling four machines for the present. The Security Building is thefirst unit of a ten-unit building.

Charley Stephenson has finished. the Coliseum Theatre job, and I want to say right now that the Coliseum Theatre is the finest interior-finished picture theatre west of Chicago, and I have the architect's word for it that that I could make it go farther east than that anyway, she is some theatre.

Well, Seattle has had the longest and coldest spell of winter weather in its history, and the boys are all feeling the effects of it, and the worst part of it is they cannot get anything for it. There used to be a fine remedy for it. I think it was whisky and. quinine, but it is only quinine now,. unless you take water with it.