Opposition was registered to all forms of investigation of industrial disputes that would deny workers the right to quit their employment.

The Executive Council, through the president of the A. F. of L., is empowered to appoint a committee of five to consider the question of cooperation and investigate all phases of this theory.

The convention declared that "a system of free text-books is an essential of genuinely free and democratic public schools." The right of teachers to organize and affiliate with labor was demanded, and it was further declared that: "If our children, during their more impressionable years, are to have the benefit of daily contact with examples of upstanding American manhood and womanhood, and not to be exposed to an atmosphere of servility in the schoolroom, teachers must be given warning and a hearing before being separated from the service."

The Executive Council was instructed to establish a legal bureau of information, the expense of the same to be paid out of the general funds of the A. F. of L.

A motion to increase the per capita tax from three-quarters to one cent a month per member to create a legal bureau was defeated.

On the question of international labor relations the convention urged that further efforts be made to have labor represented at the time and place the treaty-making congress that will end the present war will be held. While this plan has not been supported by some of the workers of the warring nations, it was stated that "we recommend that further effort be made to clear away the misapprehentions or whatever there may be of groundless opposition to the confer ence."

"The purposes of the Mexican revolution," it was declared, "appeal to the highest concepts and impulses of all liberty loving men and women.” Attention was called to a decree by

The Executive Council was instructed to "exert every available effort to, first, be helpful in organizing the workers of all Pan-American republics and, secondly, to federate them in the Pan-American Federation of Labor."

Japanese workers were congratulated for their efforts to organize in their native land and the Executive Council was instructed to continue its friendly office to be helpful to these workers. The convention declared that "in the spirit alone of imperative necessity and self-protection," did organized workers demand exclusion of these and other far east workers.

The convention proceedings covered the entire field of economic, political and judicial questions in a manner that indicates increasing solidarity and intelligence on the part of the men and women of labor, who are becoming conscious of their power to a degree undreamed of a few years ago.

Two glowing tributes were paid President Samuel Gompers just prior to adjournment. The first was the adoption by a unanimous rising vote of a report of the Resolution Committee to concur in a resolution that proposes a celebration for the head of the Federation. The resolution, which was introduced by Delegate J. P. Holland, New York State Federation of Labor, read as follows:

WHEREAS, Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, will celebrate his sixty-seventh

birthday and his fiftieth marriage anniversary on January 27, 1917; and WHEREAS, Samuel Gompers has devoted his whole life and the best that was in him for and in the interest of the organized labor movement, and remains to-day just as determined and sincere to secure justice and right for labor; be it

RESOLVED, By this Thirty-sixth Annual Convention of the American Federation of Labor that for the purpose of publicly demonstrating our appreciation of his purpose, his efforts and sincerity, we, the delegates here assembled, unite in making this celebration an epoch in the life of Samuel Gompers, and therefore call upon all international and national officers and all sympathizers and friends to assemble in the city of New York on January 27, 1917, at a mass demonstration to thus honor him and show our individual devotion.

RESOLVED, That this convention appoint a committee to co-operate with the New York State Federation of Labor and the Central Federated Union of Greater New York and Vicinity in carrying out the object of this resolution.

Referred to Committee on Resolu

tions.

The second tribute was in concrete form and was a bronze bust of President Gompers. The bust was turned over to the American Federation of Labor by President Gompers and will be installed in the home of the Federation in Washington, D. C.

MEDICAL MAN TALKS PLAIN. Philadelphia.-At a meeting of doctors in this city, Dr. Charles A. E. Codman, president of the State Medical Society, stated that for the first time in history the medical profession will be represented at the State capitai in a united body when the next Legislature convenes to urge longer limits of attendance and higher fees in workmen's compensation cases.

"We know what we want, what we are going to ask for, and we are going to get it," he said.

If a trade unionist indulged in this plain talk ponderous editorials would be written on "the futility of intimidation and coercion."

UNION OFFICIAL DIES. Pittsburgh, Pa.-First Vice-President John J. Thorpe, of the Amalgamated Street Car Men's union, died at Hot Springs, Ark., because of a physical breakdown that was the result of his activities in the Indianapolis street car strike three years ago.

Deceased was business agent of local Street Car Men's Union, No. 85. While the remains were being lowered into the grave every street car in the Pittsburgh district halted for half a minute while motormen and conductors stood with bared heads as a tribute to their departed fellow-worker.

TELEPHONE GIRLS STRIKE. Toledo, Ohio.-Because four members of the newly-organized Telephone Operators' Union were discharged, telephone girls employed by the Home Telephone Company suspended work. Later they were joined by the Electrical Workers' Union.

Officers of the Central Labor Union are assisting the strikers. The unionists ask that the question be arbitrated. Officers of the company plead that they do not understand the terms used by the unionists and the latter reply that this is a feeble attempt to gain time that strikebreakers may be imported.

COAL FAMINE ARTIFICIAL.

Indianapolis, Ind.-There is no coal famine, says the United Mine Workers' Journal, which declares that the present market conditions are caused by "the manipulation of the coal supply by the speculators, who are reaping the difference between the contract prices of coal and the amount they are able to extort from the consumer."

The "car shortage" we hear so much about is partly the result of intentional delay in the transmission of cars and the unloading at distributing points, says the editor.

Compulsory physical examination, whether of employes in industry or of any other class of citizens, involves an interference with the personal life of the individual so serious that it should be undertaken only on the assurance that the public welfare demands it and that the results are worth the sacrifice of that personal sanctity which our institutions have thrown about the individual.

This, in my judgment, is another way of saying that the State, not the employer, should undertake such examination, assuming always that public policy demands compulsory examination at all. I am not prepared to admit even this. Our well-to-do class manage to maintain a fairly high standard of health, and it has become a universal custom among well-to-do people to consult the doctor and the dentist on frequent occasions.

Compulsory physical examination is being urged only for wage-earners. The reason is not far to seek. For the disinterested physician or scientist, it is a short cut to remedying a condition which is due to the fact that wages are too low to permit wageearners, as a class, to spare the means for doing what otherwise they would voluntarily do, and without prompting from any authority-that is, to consult the physician as frequently as neces

sary.

If we are to assume that insufficient wages, and the ignorance and helplessness attendant on low wages, are to remain with us always, then we could proceed with a program of paternalism and justify it. The fear of organized labor and lovers of human freedom generally is that low wages will become so buttressed by remedial measures of this sort that the public conscience will be dulled into an accept

ance of low wages as a permanent institution.

Of course, in some occupations, such as that of locomotive engineer, certain physical tests are so necessary on the ground of public safety that no objection can be raised. But, with industry organized for private profit, the weeding out of men not physically perfect by physical examination means only that those who pass the test will be subjected to greater strain than previously. The late Professor Hoxie, of Chicago University, after conducting a thorough investigation of scientific management, expressed the opinion that the greatest danger now threatening the American wage-earner is the speeding up of industry and the consequent physical strain imposed upon the worker.

If Professor Hoxie and other economists and students of industrial problems are correct, as I believe they are, then we must regard the entrance of a number of physically unfit men into industry as a blessing, if it serves to check the tendency toward more speed and greater strain.

As modern industries are organized to-day, the rejection of unfit men means, not the protection of those who are accepted, but license to increase the strain upon them so that eventually they, too, or their descendants, will be added to the class of the unfit. In this respect the fate of the physically fit is like that of the flower of European manhood, maimed and slaughtered on the battlefield.

"They will scrap the whole human race if they keep on," said Andrew Furuseth in referring to the increase in efficiency devices, so-called. We are in great danger of losing entirely the human equation in industry, and with it the freedom of the individual. This

is not only inhuman and intolerable from a humane standpoint, but it is not efficient. Human nature is too complex to measure men with a yard stick. Some of the greatest inventors and mechanics, not to mention statesmen and even soldiers, have been men who could never have passed the rigid physical tests imposed by some of our modern industrial corporations whose managers have gone mad over "efficiency." Many a young man, who might later invent a device which would revolutionize that particular industry, would be rejected and discouraged, probably turned aside from what should have been his life work.

If physical examination of all persons is demanded on the broad grounds of social welfare, then let it be administered by the State.

Bettr still, let our scientists and wise men cease regarding the great mass of workers as densely ignorant and hopeless wards, over whom they must watch and care. Let them instead join with organized labor in demanding a fair wage, and then, take my word for it, the very men for whom they are now so solicitous will be found taking the best of care of themselves.

It is certainly putting the cart before the horse to demand the weeding out of all save the physically perfect, while at the same time we permit low wages and poverty to continue to make physical fitness difficult or impossible to achieve.

I should like the advocates of com

pulsory physical examination to read what was written by Mr. Gilbert Chesterton, the English writer, when it was proposed by the health authorities of London to require the hair of all poor children to be cut short in order to rid them of vermin. In a classic passage, Mr. Chesterton points out that the true remedy would be to give the little child a leisured mother, and therefore to give the father a living wage and freedom from the extortions of the landlord.

"Rather than that one hair on the head of the street urchin be touched," concludes Mr. Chesterton, "we shall have a revolution."

It is always easy to experiment with the poor and humble and defenseless, rather than to attack the source of the problem, when that source lies in strongly intrenched privileges enjoyed by the few at the expense of the many.

NEW USE OF INJUNCTION.

Clearfield, Pa.-Judge Singleton Bell has granted an injunction restraining the Moshanon Coal Company from paying its employes an advance amounting to 333 per cent. above the scale of this district. A. L. Cole, attorney for the Central Pennsylvania Operators' Association, claimed that the advanced rate is a breach of the scale contract between the miners' and the operators' organizations, of which the coal company is a party.

Teacher: Children, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that during your holiday you don't forget what you have learned.

Chorus of the Kids: Thank you, Teacher, same to you.

A COMPETENT FELLOW.

Did you not call for help when he kissed you, dear?" questioned the prim aunt.

"No. He didn't need any."

"SUM KID."

"Is mama's sweet little boy ready to have his bath now?"

"Oh, maw; put the soft pedal on that stuff, will you! When a fellow's six years old it's time to take him out of the kindergarten class. I'll take my splash when I've had my smoke."

HE LOST HIS TIP.

John Drew was congratulated at the Players in Grammercy Park on the abundant hair with which, despite his years, he is still blessed.

"Thank goodness," said Drew complacently, "I'm not like Tree.

"Tree went into a Los Angeles bar ber shop the other day and said: "Can you cut my hair without my taking off my coilar?'

"The barber, with a loud laugh, slapped Tree's pink and polished dome jocularly.

Why, bless your heart, Sir Herbert,' he sald, 'I could cut it without your taking off your hat.'"

CARELESS OF HER.

"Oh, say, who was here to see you last night?"

"Only Myrtle, father."

"Well, tell Myrtle that she left her pipe on the piano."

CRUEL WORDS.

"Now that we are settled in our new home," said the bride, "don't you think it would be a good idea to give a little dinner to some of our friends. I'll cook the dinner myself."

"Yes," replied her husband, looking up from his plate. "I think that would be a good way to test their friendship."

UNDER DOCTOR'S ORDERS. "Some men have no hearts," said the tramp. "I've been a-tellin' that feller I am so hard up that I have to sleep out of doors."

"Didn't that fetch him?" asked the other.

"No! He tol' me he was a-doin' the same thing, and had to pay the doctor for tellin' him to do it."

JUST BE WHAT YOUR MOTHER THINKS YOU ARE. While walking down a crowded city street the other day,

I heard a little urchin to a comrade turn and say:

"Say, Jimmie, don't yer know I'd be as happy as a clam,

If I only was de feller dat me mudder tinks I am?"

"She tinks I am a wonder, and knows her little lad

Would never mix wit nottin' dat was ugly, mean or bad;

I often sit and tink how nice 'twould be-gee whiz,

If a fellow was de fellow dat his mudder tinks he is."

So, folks, be yours a life of toil, or undiluted joy,

You still can learn a lesson from this small unlettered boy;

Don't try to be an earthly saint, with eyes fixed on a star

Just try to be the fellow that your mother thinks you are.

-F. F. Van Horne.