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Entertainment and Reception, Local No. 7, Baltimore I. U. E. C., American Hall, February 8, 1917.

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Reception Committee, Local No. 7, Baltimore, I. U. E. C.
Michael Regler
Harry J. Holland

Levin O. Dorsey

And then as only "Mother Regler" can make,

Cocoanut, chocolate and iced pound

cake;

And for the boys who liked the brew We had it there and plenty, too. Drawn from the keg and cold with ice,

It sure made some of us feel nice. Gingerale and "sody," too,

For those who do not drink the brew.

There's one thing I forgot to mention,
I know it's not a late invention,
Pink and brown and white and green,
I believe the name's Harlequin Cream.

Just a few words to tell the brothers how it all came about, as they all know we recently had the A. F. of L. Convention in our town and, believe me, it did a world of good, as it seems to have left a something in the air that has finally got into the hearts

of those in and out of the fold of unionism-those in the fold to work harder and stronger for those out of the fold, so as to get to be one grand big family of union boys.

We have, a short time ago, through the untiring efforts of our worthy Business Agent, Brother W. M. Dowling, signed the Standard Elevator & Electric Company, and he is now after the Warsaw Company, and I think he I will land them. To get back to my original subject, the idea was to get the fellows outside the fold to come and mix it up with us, to let them see where we stood and how we felt towards them.

We started things off by entertaining the ladies and children with songs, dances, monologues, black-face and Irish comedians and ended with a Punch and Judy show. Then the flashlight photo, after which we all assembled or fled, I should say, to the banquet hall to do justice to the eats and drinks, which were looked after by Brothers Regler and Holland. After partaking of all those good things and finishing up on the ice cream and cake, they then withdrew to the hall above, which, in the meantime, had been transformed to a large and spacious dance hall, where they all did the turkey trot, fox trots, dippy dips and dances that were never attempted by Mr. or Mrs. Vernon Castle, until 2 A. M., all under the direction of Brother Dorsey, our worthy corresponding secretary.

I will not at this time attempt to write of any of the conditions of Baltimore, except of the added interest in our Building Trade Council. In fact, we have a one hundred per cent. organization in that body.

Wishing all the locals of the I. U. E. C. success in their new agreements of 1917, I am,

Fraternally yours,

HARRY J. HOLLAND.

Local No. 7.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. To the Editor:

Individuality of purpose by the of ficers of organized workmen and especially the officers of No. 8 are very often misconstrued and condemnation of their actions is unjustly placed against them without an investigation of their motives or the causes of their supposed laxitude or negligence.

Sincerity of purpose and a close ap plications of an officer's best efforts to his duties as delegated to him are the cardinal principles and the personification of perfection, if consistent with law and order and the general uplift of his fellow-man.

Difference of opinion will exist and methods of actions "always were and ever will be" as to the best way or the procedure to adopt in administering the affairs or settling the disputes which are arising from time to time.

Officers without individuality or "backbone" soon become the tool of some designing member, acting in the interest of his boss or politicians who have an axe to grind.

The radical or irrational officer is a firebrand and often does much damage if not checked, but as he works in the open and all the members are conversant with his doings, his case is soon settled by the conservative element and he is relegated to the has beens.

The essential duties of officials should be, and have been in No. 8, "all for one and one for all." Close association with No. 8 officers for many years have imbued a confidence in my mind as to their integrity and honesty of purpose that is hard to shake, but criticisms are never ending and the free lance is often used in the carving of some conscience official "who does what he thinks is right."

A president that dares enforce the law as written, a secretary that tells of laws passed and produces them at the psychological moment, a financial secretary that says Jones Owes six months, a warden that keeps you wait

ing until you have the password, and a treasurer that says that bill should not be allowed, all come in for a scouring by the small minority of kickers, and the effect of their criticism is an unknown quantity, which "no doubt" is of benefit to the enforcement of just laws as they are written.

Officers elected to important offices in unions have certain laws laid out to guide their guardianship of the of fice, but if he fails to imbue that office with a personality of independence and ability, then he is no asset, even though he be a good fellow.

Many things are essential when it comes to filling the chairs of your organization. Have they ability? Have they the backbone? Will they do the work? Will they jeopardize their job in your interest? Have they made a study of labor conditions by attending meetings? No. 8 requires that you attend more than one-half of the meetings before you can hold office. Good idea!

Individuality is more essential in the president of an organization than any other official, and I have had the pleasure of studying the eccentricities of eleven presidents of No. 8 during my incumbency as secretary, and during that time I have heard them condemned, praised, found fault with, falsely criticised and ridculed, and all any of them have received for their time and trouble is some token or present, that the union has seen fit to donate.

These same presidents referred to must have been men of worth, honesty, ability and integrity, for the business world has seen fit to promote eight of them and they are now holding lucrative positions, while two are still holding our cards and receive high salaries as experts. One is our President, Brother Ed. McGee, and if any one doubts his individuality or firmness in the administering of the laws as written he will soon be disillusioned by attending the next meeting of No. 8.

It is easy to be a "jelly fish" and agree with everybody, but it is different when you have to say "yes" or

"no." I know that personally I have been condemned and criticised for writing a blunt fact or statement, when diplomacy failed in milder statements or requests to bring the desired results.

Individuality is reflected in diplo matic requirements, as it very often becomes the bounden duty of a secretary to smoothe over a rash executive order and not to send to the bosses all the comments made by the members, neither to make it a part of the records.

An officer can do the best there is in him and he is sure to make enemies -temporary ones, that is-if he is ac tive and takes part in the discussions arising at meetings.

Our venerable warden places his massive frame in front of the. exit and says "nothing doing," when you have a date with your sweetheart and you tell him what you think of him on your way out, after the president has excused you from attendance.

The financial secretary might forget your friend that owes six months, but he don't. Of course you don't like that.

The treasurer protests against paying a benefit to one of your friends until the case is investigated. You don't like that and you are sore at the treasurer.

An officer that is never condemned is a nonenity and he is only holding a place that should be filled by a better man.

All peoples must perforce lead their own lives, maintaining an individuality and personality all their own, for it is impossible to carry water on two shoulders, and let the axe fall where it may, you will have no one to blame but yourself if turned down by your constituents.

Don't read back of this line, for I am going to write a little news for "Casey and the other wanderers of No. 8."

Brother Bert Frisby has accepted an important position in the marine service of the Pacific Mail steamers, which ply between here and the Hawaiian Islands. He reports having

visited the principal places of interest with Brother Hall in Brother Tom's new limousine.

The salt air seems to be infectious, for No. 8 has lost Brothers Weidman, Stevens, Johnson and Frisby to the call of the waves, the mighty Pacific. Brother Fred Kalde, of Los Angeles. expert gate man for the Randel Gate Company, intends to make San Francisco his future home. Married? Yes. Brother Ed. Phillips says he does not like "dumb waiters," for they cannot talk. Brother Green only smiled when Brother Grimes says, "I'll make them run anyway."

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In reading over the Journal of the Elevator Constructors of today and of a few years ago one can not fail to recognize what a marvelous growth is going on, what wonderful progress is being made, but after all it merely demonstrates what is possible through unity of action and neverending effort on the part of the brothers of our various locals and their friends from without.

We are at present enjoying a period of unparalleled advancement in industry. That we are contributing our share goes without saying. As elevator constructors we usually know what our duties are and how best to perform them.

Local No. 11 is enjoying one of its most active periods, with the exception of a few brothers out of employment. However, it should not be long until they are again at work, as some big work is to be started here soon and they will certainly be called upon first.

Local No. 11 has been exceptionally fortunate in the past in not losing any members through death, although several of the brothers have lost those near and dear to them. We have death and accident benefits, etc., to help comfort those left behind. However, the sentiment of the brothers

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This being my first attempt as correspondent to the Journal, I take pleasure in extending to all brothers luck and prosperity for the new year 1917. Local No. 14 held their regular election and installation here a short time ago. The offices of president and vice-president were the only positions affected. Brother Jno. Linderman, our past president, who has been a very hard and conscientious worker. declined nomination, SO that left Brother Al Schell and Brother J. Craigie as candidates. Brother Schell was elected by a small majority. Brother Geo. Pudney was elected vice-president Over four other opponents. Brother Bernie and Brother Almendinger were nominated. Brother Bernie was re-elected, much to the satisfaction of Brother Almendinger. Brother Harold Chase, who has been absent for some time, was present last meeting-night with his shining countenance. Harold has just taken unto himself a life-partner. Good luck, Harold. That accounts for his absence (speaking from experience).

We are proud to announce that we have in our midst a promising apprentice at No. 48 Hawley street. Congratulations, Tom.

Brother Ben Ihle, our former correspondent, has partly recovered from a recent attack which affected his writing arm, much to the satisfaction of Brother Schell.

Speaking of trade conditions, I might state that Local No. 14 has had a very prosperous year. Most of the large elevator installations are about completed, including the Schoelkrople

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