NEW YORK, N. Y.

To the Editor:

The Fifteenth Grand Annual Entertainment and Reception of Local No. 1, I. U. E. C., of New York, was held at Palm Garden, Wednesday evening, November 29, 1916 (Thanksgiving eve). The attendance being unusually large, it was necessary to open the lower ball room.

The hall was beautifully decorated with palms in abundance.

The letters I. U. E. C. were artistically arranged over the stage in varicolored electric lights.

The success of the affair was due to the untiring efforts of the following officers and committees:

OFFICERS.

President, Andrew Eagan; VicePresident, Edward J. McLean; Recording Secretary, Harry de Granby; Financial Secretary, Frank Volker; Treasurer, Fred Grant; Business Agents, Edward Smith, Chas. Tiernan.

Board of Trustees.

John McGowan, Chairman; Jerome Rohan, Arthur McNally, Joseph Ward, Joseph McCallan; Warden, John Daly; Day Secretary, P. J. Dinan; Judges of Election, Joseph McNally, Dennis Healy.

Floor Committee.

Edward Smith, Chairman; John McCarthy, Assistant; T. Zataplek, Fred Sullivan, Fred Seber, Louis Hirsch.

Entertainment Committee. Richard Longworth, Chairman; Fred O'Dowd, Assistant; Frank Register, John Barry, John McGrorey, William Costello.

Arrangement Committee. William Fitzgerald, Chairman; William Smith, Assistant; Ed. Kroll, Emil Zitek, Richard Kovar.

Reception Committee.

Robert Kirschner, Chairman; George

1. Horton and La Triska, novelty act, from B. F. Keith's Orpheum Theater.

2. George McFadden, "The Genial Irish-Man," from B. F. Keith's Colonial Theater.

3. Joe Laurie and Aleen Bronson, in "Lost and Found," from B. F. Keith's Palace Theater.

4. Ruth Roye, "The Inimitable Comedienne," from B. F. Keith's Alhambra Theater.

5. Aveling and Lloyd, "Those Two Southern Boys," from B. F. Keith's Bushwick Theater.

6. The Gaudschmidts, "Eccentric Clowns," with their Spanish poodles. Permission B. F. Keith Management.

The music for the entertainment and reception was furnished by the Hippodrome Orchestra under the supervision of Phil Temlein.

When the show was over the chairs vanished like magic and the "Ball started to roll."

After dancing several numbers the

grand march was on, which was led by Brother Ed. Smith and wife and Brother Andrew Eagan and wife.

The letters I. U. E. C. were formed during the procession, after which lines marched sixteen abreast and when about half-way up the hall the music ceased playing, and the eight ladies in the front row were presented with beautiful bouquets of American Beauties.

At the conclusion of the grand march dancing was resumed and continued until the wee, small hours of the morning.

The boxes in the balcony were crowded to their utmost capacity, a grand view of the dancers being af forded from this point.

Many notables of the labor world, representatives of the elevator and insurance companies, were present.

Brother Joseph E. Quinn, Local No. 2, Chicago, was in attendance.

In conclusion I wish to say that it sure was a fine piece of work. Congratulations are in order.

Local No. 1.

AN ONLOOKER.

BOSTON, MASS.

To the Editor:

American trade journals take it as an unquestionable fact that the export of American machinery is increasing. The demand from abroad, they say, for American textile machinery has of late years been more active than ever before, and is undoubtedly to be attributed to the numerous patented improvements that have been and are so constantly being added to the American machines. These devices, the result of American ingenuity and invention, have been patented both in American and foreign countries, thus fully protecting the rights of inventors, and manufacturers, and foreigners are not slow to recognize their merits. In the case of the American elevator this is especially true, for it is generally accepted that for speed and good workmanship combined, it is superior to all foreign rivals.

For the benefit of our readers it will not be amiss at this time to refer to what has been done by the Otis Elevator Company, in the line of commercial progress in countries which most of us will never have the pleasure of visiting.

While the installation of passenger elevators for the London Underground Railroad, the elevators for the Glasgow Harbor Tunnel, and also the elevators for the tunnel under the River Elbe, between the Duty Port and the Free Port of the city of Hamburg, are notable installations, and have attracted the attention of the engineering world, yet it is the constant recurrence of the name Otis in the elevators of the hotels and buildings throughout the civilized world which attracts the attention from the American traveling abroad.

In China, royalty rides daily in the product of the Otis Company, but the American tourist is more familiar, perhaps, with elevators in the Hong Kong Club, the Hong Kong Hotel and with those in the Palace Hotel.

The Mikado of the Island Empire has also the convenience of an Otis elevator, but again the traveler is more familiar with those in the many business houses.

In Austria and New Zealand there are over 400 Otis elevators. In India the Government House at Calcutta is equipped with Otis elevators, as well as other prominent buildings.

At Constantinople the guests of the Grande Hotel ride in an Otis elevator, as do the guests in the prominent hotels in Naples, Rome and Athens. In Austria-Hungary Otis elevators are distributed quite generally throughout the empire. In Fance, Germany and Spain, they are everywhere. In Northern Europe the installations are so numerous it would take much space to enumerate the cities they are to be found in. Thus testifying to the superior excellence which makes them desirable in the uttermost parts of the earth.

Local No. 4.

BOSTON.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

To the Editor:

Now is about the time some of our concerns take account of stock to see where they stand, if any leaks or discrepancies are discovered, to find the remedy and apply it. During this year Local No. 5 has paid out in benefits for accidents approximately $475.00; for death benefits, $640.00; and for the good of the order, which includes the Convention and Legislative Committees, $800.00. We are no pikers, and in the past it was very easy for any organization to get a very liberal donation from us; no appeals were turned down and consequently our treasury was heavily taxed. However, we feel that our contributions were all for good purposes, and we have already reaped some harvest from the same. Our dues, cards, per capita tax, and defense fund amounts to $6.00 per quarter, and at the death of a member the Local gives $80.00 as a death benefit plus an assessment of $1.00 on each member which nets the widow or other relatives a nice sum. Accident benefits are paid for a period of thirteen weeks during any one year at $5.00 per week.

Now if we had an International death benefit fund in which each member of the International would be assessed equally for an amount that would equal $750.00 or more, then the large Local and small Local would benefit alike.

Work continue very brisk. There seems to be a general business movement in all lines. In our city this year there has been spent $60,000,000 for buildings of all kinds, about 50 per cent. of which were mills, factories, garages, apartments, stores and buildings of such character as would necessitate having elevators, and our firms have been right hot after all of it, not only the new but the repairs as well. Of course we have had our ups and downs, but we have never been counted out.

No. 5 extends her Christmas greetings to all. W. B. MacALISTER.

Local No. 5.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

To the Editor:

Local No. 6 did not have an article for the November Journal for the reason we were too busy celebrating our one hundredth birthday. That is, the one hundredth anniversary of the granting of the charter to the city of Pittsburgh. If we believe in Pittsburgh we must believe we are 100 years old, in experience at least if not in years.

What a remarkable part Pittsburgh has played in the progress of this nation was amply demonstrated by magnificent floats covering the past 100 years of progress. Each period was well represented by its own destinctive float, and showed wonderful ingenuity and thoughtfulness in their arrangement. A very few of the old landmarks remain in Pittsburgh-Old Fort Duquense (the Block House) is still standing, and is in a good state of preservation and is one of Pittsburgh's most historical spots that interest the visitor, for all the Pennsylvania Railroad has tried numerous times to crowd it off the map. Many of the old ironclad vessels of the United States Navy, and especially of Admiral Porter's fleet, were built on the present site of the P. & L. E. station. Pittsburgh has many advantages that few cities of the world enjoy. Among them are an almost unlimited supply of natural gas (the kind that furnishes light, heat and power). The center of the bituminous coal fields and oil fields of Pennsylvania (and last but not least a real live up-to-date Elevator Constructors' Union) makes it most desirable for the manufacture of iron and steel products. "Pittsburgh Promotes Progress" is our slogan, but it is hardly applicable at the present time, when one stops to consider the amount of ammunition that is being shipped from her mills for the European war. But after this cruel war is o'er, we will work just as hard to replace what we are indirectly blamed for destroying.

Thanksgiving Day, 1916, is now a matter of history, with many heart

felt thanks, and no doubt many regrets, because the stomach was not as large as the turkey and trimmings. No. 6 is thankful that we have had no lost time from strikes this year. That our 1916 agreement was signed without having any arguments. All members are having steady work, and the outlook is good for the coming new year. We have had a few serious accidents among our membership, but no fatalities.

As the year 1916 is drawing to a close our memory wanders back over the successes and failures of the year. We have had some reverses it is true, but in the main we have made a very tremendous stride forward. We have accomplished a lot during the year. Many of our good resolutions, made at the beginning of the year, have been carried through successfully while some were kept in a half-hearted sort of way, and others were lost sight of entirely in the battle of life. As the new year (1917) looms up very promising we are resolved to do greater things, and stand together a solid organization for our rights and make 1917 the banner year for our craft. It has been said that a resolution made and broken is better than no resolution. But let us keep them all this year.

A little lady elevator constructor arrived at the home of Brother Jack McKenna on November 17th. Jack now wears the smile that will never wear off. The little miss occupies the throne of honor and is catered to by every one of the family.

Brother Jack Shultz is back on the job again after his accident. It just seems natural to see Jack around the office again, even when his face is black.

Brother Ernest Johnson has been having a siege with old man Grippe, and beat the old fellow to it and is back to work.

The newsboys of Pittsburgh have organized December 2d, and immediately decided to strike against the increase cost of papers from the publishers. And, believe me, they are putting up a plucky fight, and they are going to

win.

They can show some of us grownups a few tricks in striking and boycotting.

We had Brother Jack Watkins, of Local No. 9, with us for two weeks. The brother was taken sick and left for his home in Kansas City. We are sorry the brother did not feel like sticking in Pittsburgh for we think its a pretty good burg.

God gave us this great planet,
And gave us lots of room
To work out our salvation.

Or if we choose-our doom.
God made man his own master,
And all are equal born,
And all have equal chances

To prosper-in a horn.
It is the land of justice,

Where all men get their rights,
Who have sufficient lucre

To pay the legal lights.
The poor man makes the rich man,
The rich man makes the laws
Which makes the poor man labor
To fill the rich man's jaws.
The rich men work for profit,

The poor men for their lives.
The rich men live in mansions,
The poor men live in hives.
The rich men are the farmers,
The poor men are the bees.
The rich men get the honey,

The poor men get the lees.
The rich man lolls at leisure,
The poor man tills the soil.
The rich man gets the harvest,
The poor man gets the toil;
And when they both are stricken,

And friends for doctors fly,
They hasten to the rich man

And let the poor man die. When on the final journey,

Which just beyond life lies, The rich man takes the special, The poor man tramps the ties. At Charon's silent river,

Where all in gloomy dim, The rich man pays his passage, The poor man has to swim.

Wishing our International officers and the locals of the I. U. E. C. a Merry Christmas and a Happy and very prosperous New Year.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

To the Editor:

Different ways of doing business has been a life study with some of the highest paid men in the service of those who employ us and those like us in all trades.

Consequently the methods adopted by the business fraternity has reached a high state of perfection-for the very simple reason that they are working as an individual unit-not only backed by the wealth and the high priced individual intelligence advising them, but rather a wisdom taught by experience in the financial world.

They realize fully the meaning of the unit-interpreted "acting as one," and the success of such actions should be a lesson-for good or evil-and should be a lesson to all trade unionists to copy or follow up the teachings of those for whom the sweat of our brows bring to them a majority of the profits of our labor.

Thirty-two commodities used in the average household of California have been advanced 40 per cent. during the past year. Did any of the housewives receive any 90 days' notice of any one of these raises taking effect? Your groceryman told you the night before or you read in the paper such and such would become effective on a certain date. That is all up-to-date business. Suppose we did that! That would be anarchy.

God pity the "Lower Five" if this thing continues. Just about one-half of the boys are now doing extra duty at night work or in some other line to meet actual expenses. War caused it. War caused some of these 15 and 25 per cent. dividends to be declared. These dividends were declared and paid to a small majority of the people. Don't be mislead into the belief that this is a prerogative vested in a chosen few and backed up by the Government, but rather get your thinking cap on and take note of the dissention in your own affiliations and the harmonious unity of those who have raised the prices from every known angle.

Your local dealer, the groceryman,

Figuratively speaking there are but two classes of people in this world: Those who work with their heads and those who work with their hands.

We being of the latter very much resemble a bunch of sheep-numbering some 10,000-ruled and governed by a shepherd and a dog, and just like sheep going through a rail fence after it is taken down, the first one jumps and the rest follow the same example. "No need of doing it, but just a useless habit ground into our block heads."

This sounds like socialism, but that makes no difference, it is unionism pure and simple, and it is up to the organized to get out of this mudhole or stop the leaks so there will be no more mud.

An embargo on foreign shipments of commodities of life and a Government investigation of corporate collusion in price-raises are feasible remedies, but we are not going to get any where by lying supinely on our back hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until the "Saviour" returns to earth on his promised call to end it all.

The living condition of to-day is as bad, if not worse, than those existing during the Civil War of 1864, but the causes are far from being the same. The times of the Rebellion represented an existing scarcity of commodities within our own country, but in this case of the present it is different.

Who is responsible for this? Is it the financial center of the universe"Wall Street?" Is it No. 8? "We charge the same for our labor as we did ten years ago." No! It is the fault of a long established system of squeeze.

California working men are going to do some regulating in the near future -simply from necessity or from a forced put-but we will keep pace with