What are we going to do to remedy this state of affairs? What can we do? Some of our noble philosophers and charitably inclined (when it doesn't affect their pocketbooks) advise to boycott. When the price is prohibitive, in other words, starve and freeze ourselves. That will never solve the problem. Society only laughs at such remedies, for well they know that a person's stomach will rob their pocketbook or their fellow-men to appease its hunger.

We are all anxious to see what Congress will do to reduce the high cost of food. It is a noticeable fact that after every investigation of any particular object the price increases. And just as sure as history repeats itself the price will continue to climb after Congress adjourns.

Something has to be done. And it's only through organized effort that anything will be done. When we can get the workers 100 per cent. organized in every branch of industry and get them to stick together in one solid unit we will not have such things as the Carnegie Hero Commission or the Rockefeller Foundation Fund. There will be so many heroes that the Carnegie millions will not begin to buy the medals needed. And there will be no diseases to be exploited at the workers' expense. We can then put men into office who will give the employe the same protection as the employer, and who will see that the price of foodstuff is not manipulated by Wall Street, or any other combination of individuals. What is needed most is to have stock brokers and stock exchanges put out of business all over the country. Let us work for, vote for, and pray that these conditions will be eliminated, so that when we come back for our second sojourn on earth it will be a paradise for all. What excuse have you for living?

Work continues fair, with all members working. The edge is wearing off the boom, and most of the permit men have been laid off.

The Union Arcade is nearing com

pletion, with Bro. Wallace Stewart directing the finishing touches to the elevators and escalators.

The elevators in the Chamber of Commerce are nearly all running, and are rapidly nearing completion, under the able efforts of Bro. Ira Evans. This will be the new home of the Otis Company when completed.

Bro. John Allen is directing the finishing up of the elevators in the new City-County Building. Bro. B. I. Burkhart has the change over job at the Jones and Laughlin Building well under way. Our president, W. F. Hopkins, is at Uniontown installing a plunger machine for the Elevator Construction Company. Bro. Walter De Hart has charge of the change over job at the Arrott Building for the Elevator Construction Company. There is considerable talk of two new skyscrapers for Pittsburgh this year. We hope it isn't all talk.

Bro. Wm. Welsh started the new year right by tieing up to a real help

er.

Good luck to you, Billy. May you enjoy many, many happy new years together. Bro. D. W. Davis has been seen a number of evenings traveling towards Mt. Washington with loads of knick-knacks. Dave is erecting a new mansion, and will have escalators, elevator and all other elevating conveniences installed. We believe that Dave has met his fate, and while it is a little late in life, congratulations will no doubt be in order about the time the Easter lilies bloom.

Bro. E. A. Johnson is receiving congratulations on being advanced to an office position with the Otis Company. Earn always did keep his pencil sharpened on both ends, and sure does know how to push it.

After five years, Local No. 6 is obliged to chronicle another death from its ranks. We regret very much the death of Bro. Frank Leach, which occurred at the Allegheny General Hospital on December 14, 1916, from complications.

At our election on December 20 ail the old officers were re-elected, except vice-president and trustee. Bro. John

Retrospection of 1916 A. D. written on a Christmas Day should be filled with optimism and the little petty things forgotten, but in this general review of No. 8, I. U. E. C., history of the past year I may deviate from the accustomed laws and do a "little crabbing."

With our membership we have paid to sick members $780 and have taken up collections for some ex-members who are not entitled to benefits of No. 8.

After a healthy existence of this local benefit fund during a period of three years and nine months under an assessment of 30 cents for each member a month, No. 8 has seen fit to raise that amount to 50 cents per month, "just to make it more healthy."

Being unable to work is sufficient cause for drawing on this fund. Five dollars for first week, $10 for seven weeks and $5.00 for five weeks; $100 death. "Many a Lady Elevator Constructor of No. 8 has given this benefit law her blessing."

Bro. McAllister sounded the right Christmas spirit by the suggestion of an international death benefit fund to assist small locals in our last issue of the Journal.

Business has been good during the past year owing, no doubt, to the fact that the safety laws of the State of California became effective October 1, 1916, regarding elevators.

There has not been much idleness among the members of No. 8, and some new members have been taken into the union. A considerable number have tried to be elevator men and have given up after a week or so, either tired of the game or found out it was no sinecure.

The climatic conditions have been superbial, and only for a hail storm

that drenched our city last Friday we could be classed, and rightly so, as the land of sunshine and flowers. Bro. Becker, of San Rafael, claims this hail storm was a San Francisco affair, and in no way damaged the tropical plants growing around his home.

News has been conveyed to No. 8 that considerable rain has fallen in Portland, and snow is now falling over the dear brothers of Seattle on this Christmas Day. I am mentioning this, for Bro. Clark states Oregon has gone bone dry and Bro. Johnson has forgotten to boost the West as correspondent.

This day represents "Peace on Earth and Good Will toward Men." I sincerely hope President Wilson's note to the warring factions will bear fruit before these few lines are read.

"Good Will" toward men is the biggest part of that last quotation, and No. 8's membership has been trying to follow up that principle during the past year.

No. 8's members disagree at the meetings, they argue questions, they get mad "sometimes," they play politics and they play other games, but let one of the boys get hurt or in trouble and the Christmas spirit is there, and has been during 1916.

Los Angeles County is larger than the city of San Francisco, and so will Seattle be, if they take Spokane into the city limits. "Apologies to our boys there."

No. 8 does not know whether Bros. Gus. Larsen is alive or not.

Turkey is 35 cents per pound, cranberries $1 a gallon, temperance drinks with eggs, 20 cents, and a workingman's lunch 35 cents to 50 cents. Ladies' shoes, $12.50, "the fancy kind."

The old pessimistic grouch has a right to kick, but I have helped him enough; so will try to tell what some of the boys are doing.

Bro. F. W. Canning is one of the new additions in the service department of the Otis Elevator Company; also Bro. Fred Archer is another expert in their service, both Brothers

having been graduated from Mr. McCobs school of "Dumb Waiters and Flash Light Systems."

Dr. Carlyon is spending a quiet Christmas, with a few friends from Grass Valley at his home.

Treasurer Carlen still wears that watchful look, and No. 8's interests are as safe as a present to the first born.

Warden Hicks has passed out a warning to all members for 1917 that the roll call marks their attendance, and no one will be marked present unless he really attends the meetings, which will be called at a specified time.

President McGee and Vice-President Usher have promised to aid the members in any way to better their conditions during 1917.

Our German friend, "Bro. Ed. Maring" and yours truly thank the membership for the confidence intrusted to us and will promise the best of our ability during the coming year.

The Abalone fishermen, "Bros. Petry, Quedens, Becker and Martin," have arranged for an Abalone feast January 6, 1917. They will all we Scottish kilts combined with diving bells.

Bros. Jump and Sauder, members of the Executive Board, are Oakland residents, but No. 8 can depend on them being "Johnny on the Spot" when needed.

Bro. August Damm announces a banner year for the Spencer Elevator Company. Why shouldn't he, with Bros. McAllister, Took, Holmes, Gingher, Geaudrot, Craft and Bro. Wallace Day acting superintendent. Best wishes for 1917. "Californiamade products."

San Francisco Elevator Company, with Bros. Usher, Hewitt, Ploehn and Fox are starting a bright 1917.

The Home Company, with Bros. C. and B. Valerjo and Henrickson are making their mark in the business world.

Superintendent Walkmeister, of the Otis Service Department, has many of the boys working, and business for

Burlingame, represented by Bro. Grierson; Alameda, by Bro. Upphoff; San Rafael, by Bro. Becker; Sausileta, by Bro. James; Oakland, by Bro. Walker; Berkley, by Bro. Bower, all members of No. 8, and Bro. Botteron, of Daly City, are behind a movement to make San Francisco the fourth city in population in the United States.

C. C. Williams, "our old staunch Brother of 8," sends Christmas greetings from Detroit, Mich. Best wishes, Casey.

Ex-Bro. Tom Hall sends greetings from Honolulu, where he has been located for the past few years. With best wishes for a banner 1917. ED. POOLE.

Local No. 8.

CLEVELAND, O.

To the Editor:

All the Brothers here are well and working after the holidays and we all enjoyed the holidays and had a good time. Bro. George Watus is in Steubenville, O., putting in a job for the Otis Company. Bro. Harry Krupka is helping him. Brother Jerry Heckel has a very sore thumb, as blood poisoning had set in, but he is getting along nicely at this writing. Bro. Carl Schwaegerle and May Corlett were quietly married on the second of this month. Congratulations, Carl, from all the Brothers. Several of the Brothers are out of town working at present. Local No. 17 is still growing, as we are taking in new Brothers right along. The Labor Temple fund is growing right along. They had a show in the Central Armory for the benefit of the Temple, and I think they came out on it all O. K

has proven fatal to quiet a few of us; two Brothers were killed and about ten were injured. Bro. Harry Renz, who was injured by a fall on the 5th of September, is getting along fine. Bro. Anderson, formerly of New York, was hurt by a fall of about 25 feet, and is getting along fine, and hope to see him out again soon.

Secretary Thos. Schweigert thought it would be very nice to lay off the bachelor buttons, and so he had the knot tied. Good luck to both.

With the new year at hand some of the members of Local 42 are starting it very successfully. Bro. E. Dahliman has been promoted to the position of local manager for the Otis Company. Bro. Wm. Nak has been promoted to the position of construction superintendent and Bro. F. Emmer has taken out a mechanic's card. The rest of the Brothers of this local wish to these brothers a very prosperous and successful future. Mr. Leech, who has been the manager here has been transferred to a large office and for the kindness shown by him in the past the employes of the Otis Company presented him with an Elk's tooth watch charm, of which he seems very proud.

Most of the large elevator installations are about complete, but there are a number of second-hand elevators to be installed here and in neighboring towns, so there is hardly a possible chance for any of our boys to be out of work this winter.

The writer looks forth to an increase in membership to this local in a short time, and hopes to see the other locals increasing in number as well.

The Carpenters' Union here has received an increase of wages to fiftyfive cents per hour, which is to go into effect May 1, 1917.

Fraternally,

LESTER GEO. COOK.

Local No. 42.