LADIES' AUXILIARY.

To the Editor:

Pittsburgh, Pa.

I hope you will find room in your columns for this communication. Well, the Lady Elevator Constructors held their dance on Thanksgiving Eve. Everything went fine, quite a few of the elevator men being present. The committee worked very hard to sell tickets and make the dance a success. The committee went to the last meeting of Local No. 6 to sell tickets, and they crowded around to buy tickets, both of them. (Mr. Editor this is a real true joke.) Mr. Husak had the crowd guessing in his make-up as a "cullod" gentleman. If the different members' families of Local No. 6 had attended like the Allen family we would have had to had a larger hall. The music was well rendered by Mr. Schneider, from the Otis office force, and his band. After a nice lunch given by the ladies we all adjourned to eat turkey the next day.

MRS. J. W. SCHULTZ, Branch No. 2. Secretary.

And grant us faith on this, Thy natal day

Oh, God, stand by us to the very end, Our faith will fail without you as our friend.

WILLIAM HAVENSTRITE.

Local No. 1.

BOSTON.

Do You Know.

That the month of December is given up entirely to squaring one's accounts and to meditation? "Are you doing it?"

That some men are so opposed to anything that's free that they won't even embrace salvation? "Isn't it cheap enough?"

That an old bachelor once said that a woman's tongue is an organ without stops. "Is it true?"

That according to statistics there are 5,969,752 things a woman can find for her husband to do while he is resting? "Do you ever rest?"

That the average man is not good enough for the average woman, nor does all history say he ever was? (Does any one dispute me?)

That what we think causes more indigestion than what we eat? "Have you a grouch?"

That, although the woman behind the broom may not draw a large salary, she raises a lot of dust? "Look at your desk."

That the first iron works in America was started in Lynn, Mass., in the year 1642 to work the iron ore which was found on the banks of the Sangus River, Massachusetts?

That troubles are like babies-they grow bigger by nursing?

That happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may come and alight on you?

That God lays us on our backs that we may look heavenward? "Hence members of Local 4 should get off the toboggan."

That if you were a real man you would turn over your entire week's salary to your wife instead of the en

velope? Every member of Local 4 does this, for that reason I mention it.

That the business agent of Local 8 and "the assistant" look to me as though they were prosperous enough to buy all of the next issue of Uncle Sam's Liberty Bonds? ("Um team.")

That the countries which give old age pensions are Great Britain, Denmark, France, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand and Australia?

That the best elevator tradesmen to be found in the entire country in the past or at the present time have been attached to Local 4? (Watch other locals get red headed.)

That for all the unkind things that the correspondent at Boston has said during the entire year he humbly begs your indulgence and wishes every other correspondent and reader a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year?

That it is the wish of the members of Local 4 to extend to the Chief Editor of the best trade paper of the day the compliments of the season and continued success for the future in his great chosen field of endeavor?

Local No. 4.

N. A. O'BRIEN, JR.

PHILADELPHIA.

To the Editor:

The first flag of which we have any record was that which the Divine Author gave as a token or a covenant, when, after the flood, the rainbow was given to mankind. Since then many flags, banners, insignias of rank and station have been used and presented to represent an idea or ideal. Your ag and my flag now has a peculiar symbolism. The red stripes stand for the blood of the Christ who made the great sacrifice; the white stripes represent His love and the stars in the field of blue, all mankind. In reading the causes of the war as set forth by the different nations, we discover in some cases a re-arrangement of the economic conditions, others to regain lost territory, but in the case of America her reason is for the rights of mankind. Righteousness, to be right, this, indeed,

is a unique experience for any nation, and the eyes of the world are upon America to-day to see whether we stand four-square for this principle or not. Having taken the stand it behooves every man to be watchful of his conduct, to be loyal to those in authority, and we feel justified in stating that the ranks of organized labor are among its foremost supporters. As a concrete evidence of this fact we point with pride to the fact that Local No. 5, of Philadelphia, has furnished fifteen of her valiant sons to the service, namely, Samuel Beath, J. Pettigrew, H. McCloskey, E. Parkinson, D. Ward, G. Dietz, J. O'Brien, J. Mellon, F. McPeak, William Zorn, F. Connelly, F. Metzler, Joseph Sands, H. Tressel, L. Scherneck. We are sure these men are a type that knows no defeat, and will surely give a good account of themselves.

A committee to look after the interests of our enlisted men was appointed several months ago, and they have received several letters from some from "somewhere in France."

A service flag, with a star for each man, has been provided by our trustees; also a roll of honor, with the name, age, rank, date of enlistment and the branch of the service is being prepared. This will be one of the mementoes to be handed down to posterity.

We have sent each one a Christmas box. Old Santa Claus will have some big job this year in distributing his gifts among the boys. Let us all help to make this one Christmas long to be remembered.

A Ball Committee has been appointed, and is making plans for some time early in the new year.

A communication from our International President, calling for a referendum vote on the question of raising the per capita tax, was read at our last meeting, and was passed unanimously in favor of increasing the per capita tax.,

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Local No. 5. W. B. MACALISTER.

PITTSBURGH, PA.

To the Editor:

Everything is moving along smoothly in the Pittsburgh district. Our opponents (the electricians) are try ing to continue their guerilla tactics against the Elevator Constructors since the Buffalo convention to such an extent that on the Frank & Seder job they are paying as many electricians for sitting around as there are elevator men on the electric work on the elevators.

Work is fairly good at present, but is being held up some on account of the freight embargo from the East into Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh may well be called the arsenal of the world. The immense amount of war material being turned out here is phenomenal and far beyond the conception of the average mind. The gas and electric power companies are taxed far beyond their capacity supplying power for the munition factories. The Duquesne Power Company are considering the cutting off of the power for the street cars certain times of the day and eliminating the electric heaters in street cars, so that more power may be had for the manufacture of munitions. Appeals have been taken to the Priorities Board and Public Utilities, but as yet no decision has been given. We are sacrificing a lot to make the world free for democracy, but how are we going to make democracy free for the world?

The Lady Elevator Constructors' first ball, held November 28th, was not as well attended as they had anticipated or as it should have been by the members of No. 6. Those who attendeu were entertained royally, and socially it was a grand success. Brother George Husak sure was a booster at the ball, and for dancing he had Evelyn Nesbit's partner backed up a tree. Owing to a lame ankle, Brother John Shultz was compelled to decorate the wall. Brother Lighthill left a sick bed to attend, and was there with bells on every toe. Jur worthy President, W. F. Hopkins, is considering a dancing career on the stage if he can get a certain person for a partner. The corre

spondent is not allowed to mention any

names.

Brother Otto Langheim has defied the high cost of living. He had the good fortune to find his long-lost rib at last, and is wearing a broader smile than ever since Thanksgiving Day. Methinks that when the little Langheims begin to gather around the family fireside the smile will be eternal. While we have not had the pleasure of meeting the bride, Local No. 6 extends to

her a generous Pittsburgh welcome, with the sincere hope that their married life will be a long, prosperous and happy one.

brothers William F. Marra and Harry Neuenhagen are somewhere on the Atlantic with Uncle Sam's fighting fleet. Brother George Abel has joined the Aviation Corps, and is now somewhere in Texas. Brothers Joseph Dougherty and James Dagnall are at Camp Lee, and all write very interesting letters of camp life. We know these boys will give a good account of themselves when they reach the front, and will have many interesting experiences to tell us when they get back.

It does not seem as though we were nearing the Christmas season with all the war movements in progress. Many of the boys will not enjoy their Christmas in camp, although they may have all the holly, turkey, trimmings and presents their hearts can desire. They will miss mothers, table, fireside and their boyhood chums more than any. thing. These are times when we realize that blood is thicker than water.

Brother John Trust is getting around on crutches. Six months is a long time for an old war horse like Brother Trust to stay in the house.

Brother Lou Billings does not improve as fast as we would like, but it will not be long until Lou will be back to the ladder and hatch again.

Brother George Fritz is suffering with a severe case of blood poisoning.

Brother Joe Smith, of the Elevator Supply's, is confined to the house. I guess Joe's Western trip didn't agree with him. The water in Lake Erie is bad at some places.

Brother S. G. Lavidson is back to work after four months in the hospital from his fall at Youngstown.

Brother I. J. Evans is in Erie for the Otis Company. Ira will have to take a vacation soon and get acquainted with his family or they will grow out of his recollection.

Brother Ralph Harvey is renewing old acquaintances in West Virginia for the Otis Company.

With the season's best wishes and two full stockings to all the boys. Local NO. 6. C. E. DUNN.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. To the Editor:

EFFICIENCY is what all bosses are looking for, and what the most of us are trying to attain, but where do the demands of the one stop at and the desires of the other rest at?

Some of the bosses of San Francisco are magnanimous enough to allow us of No. 8 15 per cent. efficiency as workmen (that is collectively) on all kinds of elevator work. Some are humane enough to grant that much grace, but there are others who have placed it at 5 per cent. efficiency.

My experience as the industrial adviser and adjudicator of delinquencies arising through our men's inability to please or satisfy some boss has caused me to write this article.

No amount of efficiency can overcome some of the PERSONAL animosities that lie deeply buried in the breasts of "Those who have forgot their oath of FELLOWSHIP," and who today can make or break the back of the little mule of the army of mankind.

Now, to bring this diatribe to a better understanding and a fuller realization of unjust criticisms, it will be necessary for me to cite in a general way some of the ifs and ands why so and so did not want; or said he was fullhanded.

Why does one boss offer $7 per day if one of the boys can be persuaded to quit and come to work for him? Another boss says: I would not give him $3 per day. Another boss says: I do

not want him at all. This is all along the lines of efficiency. I cannot seeneither can you-any bearing along the lines of efficient workmanship in such statements, or by what right any boss has to figure on efficiency at 15 per cent., or 5 per cent., or 95 per cent. Woe betide some boss-if he could only hear some of us rating his ef ficiency. The minus sign would preface all his credentials and possibly might set him to thinking, if the whys and wherefores of his efficiency were given the once over.

The personification of perfecttion does not exist in any of the personnel of No. 8, but we have some of the best in the West when it comes to honest endeavor and putting up elevators. (When the blue print is minus or elauorately drawn out on the sidewalk.)

The many complications in the gen eral constructions of elevators has caused some of the firms to segregate their work and use certain men for certain work, thereby getting the greatest efficiency out of the "little army mule."

This means specialization, and is getting away from the point of general efficiency as all-around elevator men. (I might be able to lick Tom Sharkey, but I'd not like to tackle the job at 65 cents per hour, although I am a trained athlete.) A medium of efficiency is well and good, but a collective standard of perfect efficiency in the elevator business is not attainable in this day of progress and invention.

Likes and dislikes cut the biggest figure in a workingman's standing with his employer, and he will remain employed, while the more efficient workman is discharged.

Efficiency of elevator men is not judged by a board of Civil Service Commissioners, but rather they are judged by those who employ us and fire us, and I honestly do not believe they are any criterion to go by when other things than mechanical ability so often govern their opinions.

The rules governing efficiency from a monitary standpoint read something like this: A helper, big and strong

enough to handle main guide rails alone; a helper that can wire one full automatic while the mechanic wires the other one; a helper that can find the trouble when the mechanic fails; a mechanic that never made a imstake; a mechanic that sits at the telephone waiting for overtime calls; a mechanic that can hang a ten-ton chain tackle alone; boys that never drink, and on Sundays sit reading the Bible while waiting for calls.

The judgment of efficiency has no laws other than what some boss thinks of the employe or what some employe thinks of the boss. There is no standard. Some will lead others mentally, morally, mechanically and physically, and as it is only human to err I'll keep on erring with the rest of you and die as other humans have done before, and the future world will look back upon this year 1917 as a year of the inefficiency of efficiency.

All our boys are good fellows whether they are efficient or not, and they are trying to give the best that is in them.

This is Thanksgiving Day, and many O us are enjoying a turkey and a little cranberry sauce. Local No. 8 has many things to be thankful for, for No. 8 to-day enjoys a 100 per cent. organization-due to efficiency unhampered.

Christmas will have come and gone before this is read, and on this Thanksgiving Day I send you all Christmas greetings (perhaps for the last time through the columns of this Journal), not that I am going to war, for the government says that I am not efficient, but though I do I will say this, that I have tried to do my duty by No. 8 and the I. U. E. C.

Local No. 8 news is scarce, but most all are working. Brother William Arnold is the foreman of the Combs job, and the way he works those three mechanical helpers is a shame.

Brother J. J. Souder, ably assisted by Brother LaCroix, is installing a job for the White Garage on Market street.

Ex-Brother Wallace Day has had the lights on his automobile adjusted,