Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

fore he can hope to become popular with his fellows. Duncan must be a genius to resist this ever-present influence.

Of course, the Russian problem did not bother him. In spite of the Socialists, Duncan will stand in front of any raging and frenzied mob as calm and self-possessed as a hero. Dressed like a bank president, and armed fore and aft with guns for defensive purposes only, he will imagine himself at some regular convention of the Granite Cutters' Union.

If we can judge by the news just received from Russia, Duncan is now on the job. The Russians are fighting like heroes and capturing prisoners by the thousands. It did seem as if the Russians were about to call the strike a failure and throw down their arms in despair. Some pro-German, scab roughnecks must have dominated the convention and tried to stampede the whole bunch. Right here Duncan's hopeful and optimistic view of life, joined to his fearless and forceful presentation of the reasons why the strike should be continued, bore fruit, and to-day we see the results.

If Duncan remains in Russia long enough he'll organize the whole blamed Russian army into a labor union; make the soldiers pay dues, high dues, during the remainder of the war and send the money left them to their wives for the purpose of keeping them at home. Duncan knows very well that if the women join the union that will be the end of high dues forever.

We more than suspect that Duncan is a Scotchman; he is so prudent, as well as courageous; steadfast, as well as enterprising, that we instinctively think of him as being of that race referred to by Pitt, who, when Prime Minister, in one of his great speeches said: "I looked for merit and I found it in the wild mountains of the North. I drew it forth, and I called into the ranks a race of brave, hardy, intrepid men, who fought with glory and have conquered in every part of the world."

Russia is about to enter upon a new

experiment in government. Let us hope and pray that it be founded on something more than human wisdom for the enlightenment and guidance of its people in this, their crucial hour.

We have just celebrated our national birthday. Our republic was laid upon the foundation rock of every man's inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It has grown from an ideal to a prac tice. These principles must and shall survive the storm and horror through which we are passing now. The Providence that guided Washington 191 years ago is guiding our President to-day. Let us do all we can in our humble way, as members of organized labor, to hold up his hands in this, his hour of trial. He is waging a magnificent war in behalf of the imperilled interests of all mankind. Let us not fail to appreciate the majestic privilege of calling ourselves Americans to-day and glory in the magnificent prospects of a still greater future. Let us refuse to aid or sanction any movement that will in any way make more difficult our country's problems. God bless America.

Fraternally submitted,
WILLIAM HAVENSTRITE.

[blocks in formation]

Should a city own an Electric Central Station? This is a question that has been before the public for serious thought for some few years, and there is but one proper answer.

The fundamental principle of city government is that the municipal authorities shall exercise such powers only as are delegated to them by the representatives of the people acting through State legislation, the object of city government being to secure, through corporate action, benefits that cannot be secured by private means.

Municipal capital is taken from the earnings of the people. Those acts of legislatures which authorize the taking of the people's money by mu

nicipal authority, for the purposes of investing it in commercial or productive undertakings, to be managed without a profit, in competition with private enterprises, are not in accord with the well-established principle of a sound political economy.

Profit-making is the object of all industry. When a city enters the business of supplying the material necessities of the people, and conducts the business without designing to make a profit, it destroys all motive for private capital to undertake the same line of business. The logical sequence is that a city must do all the business in the line it undertakes, and do it in perpetuity, or allow capital to do it without competition from the municipality.

Government is an absolute monopoly. If it may monopolize one line of business, it may monopolize all business. For this reason every citizen's interest is deeply touched by the question whether a city should own an Electric Central Station. Does he want the principle established that a municipality may undertake a business that is essentially commercial and manage it without designing to make a profit in competition with private capital? Is he willing to be taxed to enable a city to secure capital to be used for such a purpose? If this principle is established, where will the line be drawn?

or

If a city's business is managed as well as that of private persons companies (and this condition has yet to be reached in any municipality in our country), whatever it chooses to do can be done at less cost, owing to the elimination of all charges for taxes, interest or profit than is possible for private enterprise. A city operates all it undertakes on the prison labor basis-simply to make the institution self-sustaining; and it has the power to mortgage all the property in the city to make good any deficiency.

Viewed from the standpoint of the interest of the citizen and kept within the limits of a question of policy only,

[blocks in formation]

The fire on our altar of patriotism has been burning low for some time, but now, in this crisis of our country, all this latent fire has burst again into flame. A concrete evidence of this fact is demonstrated by the splendid manner in which Philadelphia responded to the appeal for subscriptions for the National Liberty Bonds. Three hundred million was her allotment, and this much was taken and $100,000,000 more for good measure. The Red Cross Society made an appeal for $3,000,000. This was Our share, and we contributed $200,000 above this amount-$1,110,000 was given in one day. The Young Men's Christian Association asked for voluntary contributions of $300,000 to assist in caring for any of Uncle Sam's boys who came from their homes out of town until they passed the necessary examinations of the recruiting officers. This was also very willingly given.

Local No. 5, as an organization, purchased $3,000 worth of bonds, and the individual members bought approximately $5,000 worth.

We have a parade of some kind every day, which gives this city a very martial appearance, but the most impressive of all our demonstrations so far was the Red Cross parade, in which over 4,000 noble women marched, garbed in white, with the insignia of their calling the Red Cross on their arms and caps. Many a manly tear was shed as these heroic women showed their willingness to sacrifice their homes and comforts, and even their lives, to assist our boys who may fall in the fray.

True to her tradition, Philadelphia is extending to the soldiery in gen eral a welcome. Her people are tak

ing a great interest in them by inviting them into their homes during the time when they are off duty, and keeping them under home influence. This is greatly appreciated by these men, and some very warm friendships have already been formed.

We believe the acid test is being put on Christian America at this time, and that she is going to prove her proud distinction by conquering all the foes of true freedom and liberty, and out of this frightful slaughter a greater and more God-fearing democracy will arise than has ever been known.

The keynote of our Fourth of July celebrations was loyalty to the flag. Foremost in the minds of all was the realization that this country is at war with a powerful and resourceful nation. The news of the first victory of the United States navy over the German U-boats in the middle Atlantic caused great enthusiasm and was taken as a very good evidence of what our navy is going to do when it gets properly in action.

Local No. 5 has twelve men who volunteered and who are already in service. About sixty-five, who are on the Roll of Honor from which Uncle Sam will pick his army, and almost all who are left, are connected in some way with some Defense League or Reserves of some kind, and if they wore all the buttons and badges of their respective ranks they would make the Kaiser look like a novice.

Building operations continue briskly, and up to this time every demand for labor has been met, notwithstandthe extraordinary conditions caused by the war. This brings out very forcibly what a great industrial center this city of ours is. Our railroads, wharves and docks are being piled high with all sorts of manufactured goods and sent to all parts of the world.

Local No. 5.

W. B. MACALISTER.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

To the Editor:

The absence of articles from Local No. 6 for the past five months was caused by the correspondent being froze up through the shortage of gas. But now that he has got thawed out from the roastings he has suffered from the membership for not writing, No. 6 monocher will appear more regular.

Strange that some elevator men get peeved if their names do not appear often in Journal. Some will even allow their dues to run behind, so they can see their names in the Journal as "suspended."

We are just beginning to pay war prices for the preserved winter (ice). We cuss the cold weather and we swear at the ice man when he sends his bill in summer. Here's hoping Congress includes the ice man in the Food Control Bill, but not until after No. 6 has its picnic.

Brother Owen Nichols has been wearing a very broad smile for the past five months. Your correspondent just learned the cause a few days ago. "It's a girl." Owen is pretty shy, but some things will leak out.

Brother Harry Goldby is rejoicing over a new arrival. (It's a boy.)

Brother John Trust is improving nicely at the Allegheny General Hospital, considering his 65 years and his fall of five floors. We are inclined to believe he is a pretty tough nut.

Brother Lou Billings has been tak ing the air cure on the Indian Reservation at Salamanca, N. Y. We are in hopes Lou will soon be able to get back to the ladder and hatch.

We noticed that Bill Cruikshank, of No. 4, is learning to play cards. Well, if he ever gets the game learned, we will send Hoppy, of No. 6, up against him, just to hear Bill say, "I PASS." Hoppy always did get all of Willie's pennies.

Local No. 6 extends its deepest sympathies to Brother E. A. Johnston on the death of his beloved wife. She will be sadly missed in her home and by her large circle of neighbors and

friends. She was buried at her old home in Canada.

We are pleased to see Ernest back at his desk in the Otis office. Brother Harry Foster took care of his end of the Sales Department during his ab

sense.

Local No. 6 is enjoying a good run of business. Work continues good in Fittsburgh for all trades.

Time and space will not permit of much of a write-up on Pittsburgh's Fourth of July parade, but we must say it was the best parade ever held in the "Steel City." We were compelled to admire the boys who were of registered age, a number of whom belong to Local No. 6, as they swung along to the strains of national airs, apparently without a thought of what they may have to buck up against in the near future. The most noticeable fact was that they were mostly from the working class. They pre sented rather a disorganized appearance; but, after two or three months of organizing, drilling and discipline, that same crowd will go through "hell," if need be, for the good old "Stars and Stripes."

Local No. 6 has a good live committee out making arrangements for their third Annual Outing and Picnic for the members and their families. This affair will take place at Wexford Park on Saturday, August 4. Any members from other locals can take Harmony route cars and get off at the park and get into the liveliest bunch of funmakers that ever split a side.

Warning! Any member trying to build elevators on picnic day, at the grounds or otherwise, will be harshly dealt with. Watch the August Journal for "spotlights."

Brother Wallace Steward is starting the Kaufmann Warehouse job. Brother B. I. Burkhart is pushing the B. & O. Freight House for the "Kaiser." Brother I. A. Evans is in Johnstown. Brother Geo. Markle arrived home from Erie and is talking strong on farming. George looks as though country air and lake water agreed with him.

[blocks in formation]

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. To the Editor:

Thrift, waste and economy, the three essential factors of self-protection. How thrift is being encouraged by the Government, how economy is being preached and wastes are being corrected, how this is affecting the workingmen and what developments I have noticed from this crusade against American extravagance.

This correspondence is not going to be a dissertation on the governments, the municipalities or any other civic bodies' part in the correction or encouragement of self-protection, but rather a narration of the effects of this agitation and a bird's-eye view of what I have actually seen in my travels as the representative of the elevator men of San Francisco and vicinity, Local No. 8, I. U. E. C.

My observations are not worldwide, but I have and did venture 50 miles from home last Sunday in a high-powered auto (the kind Henry makes) and I noticed the country towns are ornamenting their front yards with beans, potatoes, onions, carrots and peas. Rose bushes are being supplanted with Logan berries, and the ivy is giving way to the climbing bean as an ornament on many a front porch.

Two 20-gallon kegs, with strawberries sprouting from all sides and the top and placed as an ornament on the front porch of a country home, made a deep impression on my ideas of THRIFT, and the many meals that family has enjoyed off those two kegs of strawberries does not become me to state, for some day I will have to make an accounting to my Maker.

My observations north of San Francisco is a better outlook for better and more planted grounds than ever before. The call of the President has been heeded. The spirit of self-preservation has been aroused by the continual raise of living commodities. Economy is the watchword, waste is becoming a thing of the past, and thrift an American impulse with all doing their best.

The old tin cans are fast disappear

ing from the Billy-goat's feeding grounds, and the city has teams ready to plow up and plant any vacant lots, back yards are producing much garden truck, and many opinions on how to raise such garden truck. "If the vacant lots and back yards were as fertile as some of these city farmers' brains, prices would soon drop."

Some of us "old back-yard farmers" have to laugh when we read about saving the eyes out of all "potato peelings" and the planting of corn cobs and the pie plant-that is supposed to bring forth "home-made pies with the union stamp on them"and garlic without any after effects, and onions that make you smell like a millionaire, and little crab apples for our crabbers, and hops, rye, barley for the club's benefit, and how they are going to get fooled into drinking W. J. Bryan's grape juice, and what fine targets they will make if they do not cut out the avoirdupois, which is caused by little action and much indulgence.

This levity has nothing to do with your front or back yard, for you and I know how to do these things. But are we doing them? Thirty feet back by 20 deep, 30 feet front by 6 deep, sixteen pots with only ornaments in them; a haven for mushrooms in the unused part of the basement; the balusters and railing on the front porch for the green horse bean. (Concrete is a bad foundation for back yards these WAR times.)

I

San Francisco is a big farmyard "and don't know it," and I'll give you a two-to one bet that "yours is, too." What could you raise? How can you help in war times? I am working eight hours in a munition factory. am working on shipwork for the Government. I am in the Reserve Corps. I am too old, but I am boosting. This is all talk, but are you really doing anything? If not, then go out in that old back yard of yours and plant something that you can eat.

If your back yard is all rocks, put some dirt on top of them and any old

dirt from the streets, and the kids will get some fertilizer for 5 cents a load, and all the neighbors will help, and you will be a proud man the first day that you eat a radish, onion, carrot, turnip, beet, parsley, bean, pea, strawberry pie or a real live pie plant pie, and you will be proud of those rocks in the back yard that you thought could do no business.

This is inside information, but I am willing to share my experience with the "Dear Brothers of the Elevator Constructors," and I do not want any of the wiser ones to laugh at the way I pulled this off-"this little city stunt of farming." Seven years ago I rented a home, 3731 Mission street, and in the rear was a back yard-even worse than anything ever seen in Eight-Mile Glades.

This is the description: 32 feet deep, 18 feet wide, 2-foot walk through the center to the gate. Lot stood at an angle of 45 degrees, all rocks and belrock at that time; made it level with the back porch, all the kids helping at 5 cents per load, and paid $2.00 to a big fellow for two loads of real mud or dirt. Cost about, for kids and all, $3.20.

Inspector Engby beat Congressman Nolan in regard to the furnishing of seeds, and it would have done your heart good to see those kids calling now and then to see how things were progressing, for most of the neighbrs had said, "Nix on his garden in them rocks."

You have heard the phrase often, "Beauty is a thing of joy forever," and the memory of that garden palls on me as I look down on the more fashionable concrete blocks that now adorn my back yard. The neighbors in those days used to call on me and ask if I was related to the famous Luther Burbank, for I am a native of the City of Roses.

That garden of mine was the talk of the Mission and the pride of the household. The neighbors brought their friends to show them what could be produced on the top of rocks "if you had plenty of kids to

« AnteriorContinuar »