through and by the advice of the Justice of South City.

Brother McAllister's "Presidential Possibility" missed all these troubles, for his lights never show above the 75foot limit.

Brother Fred Archer has returned from Los Angeles, where he has been doing some work for the Flash Light Company.

Brother Holmes is out on the Sutro Baths job, where the swimming is good and the work difficult on the hydraulic ram, as the whole mountain is sliding in.

With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our affiliated locals from No. 8.

I am, fraternally,
ED. POOLE.

Local No. 8.

WASHINGTON, D. C.

To the Editor:

The United States Navy has recently claimed another of our members, Sir W. Morris Rhodes, who was always there with the ha! ha! and the smiling countenance. "Dusty" is some class; he is a chief electrician; that is what grease, oil and adjust got for him. Some of the boys say that "Dusty" was thinking of getting married, but owing to the fact that he is going to France he ought to leave the marrying to those that stay at home, as most married people get along better living at least in the same country. We wish "Dusty" all the good luck there is, and hope to see him in our ranks after the war is over.

Bill writes of a swimming party, or too much Beno.

The Bong Bong River was about a mile out beyond our outpost when the Third United States Artillery was stationed at Malolas, P. I. The soldiers were granted permission to go to this river in parties for a plunge. They always sent a non-commissioned officer with instructions for half of the party to remain on guard while the others were in swimming. These orders were always carried out, until this day a party went out supposedly to go

swimming, and a non-commissioned officer by the name of Corporal Steibins was in charge. They, I always believed, went out this day for the express purpose of getting some of the native booze, commonly called firewater by the American soldiers, though its real name is Beno. Beno is a very palatable drink and harmless when taken in small amounts, but where an overdose of it is taken it surely produces bad results, and this swimming party got an overdose. Well, they came back to the outpost and tried to quarrel with the detachment that was doing outpost duty. The detachment, knowing them to be good fellows, didn't want to do them any harm, so let them in with as little attention as possible, though they had to report it. Well, Corporal Stebbins was put under arrest. The first sergeant, Pete Fanning, was in Manila in the hospital, being treated for a gunshot wound, and as next in rank was the Battery quartermaster, Sergeant George Gibbons, he, naturally, was in charge during the absence of commissioned officers, and, being a young soldier, didn't know just what to do, so he thought putting the corporal under arrest in quarters was all that was necessary. But it wasn't, for three of that party was just wild enough to think that they could whip the whole army. So they took their guns and said they were going over to the Filipinos and there they would get a commission. I guess I was the last one to speak with them on their departure. I tried to persuade them to not go, but I might as well have talked to the winds. They bid me good-bye and went their way. They hadn't gotten far outside of the outpost when I could hear them shooting, perhaps, like boys would shoot on the Fourth of July, just making a noise. I thought, then, poor devils, you are in bad, and if the quartermaster sergeant had known his duty and put you in the guard house he would have saved three good soldiers and three good fellows. These men had good records as fighting men.

There was no place under fire that was too dangerous for any one of them. I will withhold their names and will call them by the States from which they hailed-Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts. Well, time passed by and we heard of them through natives that would be passing through our town. Our troops made many attempts to capture them, but always failed. The Filipinos kept them as prisoners. It was sad to me, knowing them as I did, to think of them now as criminals. Every mail from the States would bring letters and papers for them from their mothers,

sweethearts and kind friends. This mail was returned to the senders, with the word written thereon "deserter." Massachusetts had a girl he used to tell me about, and the idea of her getting back her mail to find out he was disgraced. Well, perhaps, it was best his end came as it did.

Talking of good fellows, these three were all of that when sober. Any one would be glad to have as a friend such whole-souled, bright and interesting fellows. Two months to the very day a few other soldiers and myself were standing in back of the old stone church in Malolas, which we used for our quarters, when who emerged from the bamboo brush but Pennsylvania and Ohio. They wore no clothing except campaign hat and undershirt. They had their cartridge belt and gun. Well, we shook hands with them and they told us of their misery and suffering since we had last met, as they were held as prisoners and as each night they were kept locked in stocks in a quartelle ten miles distant. Their escape was due to the fact that the Filipino neglected to fasten the stocks, so when they found everything quiet they released themselves, took their guns and stole away. We asked them what had become of Massachusetts, and they told us he and a Filipino got into a fist fight and Massachusetts whipped him unmercifully. The Filipino then wanted to shoot him, but a Filipino officer who was looking on wouldn't allow this, but the

next day Massachusetts died. The Filipino he administered the beating to put poison in his food, and we two had to dig a hole and bury him.

Well, I asked them what do you expect to do now. They said: "Place us under arrest, will you? We are going to take our medicine, for even death would be preferable to life as we had it this last two months," and real tears came from their eyes as they gulped out the last words. We brought them to the captain. He showed surprise, and said, "put them in the guardhouse." Well, after a long time they were tried and convicted and sent to Bilabid Prison. I heard their first sentence was 14 years, but afterwards I heard it was reduced to five years, owing to the fact they had excellent records on the firing line. Yours fraternally,

The Convention of the American Federation of Labor in Buffalo, N. Y., was a success, and all the delegates have gone home again, but the brothers of Local 14 had the honor to meet some of the officers of the International Elevator Constructors' UnionPresident Frank Feeney, from Philadelphia, Pa.; First Vice-president John C. MacDonald, from Boston, Mass.; Second Vice-president Edward Smith, from New York City, and Fifth Vice-president H. D. Rowan, from Pittsburgh, Pa. The officers of the Elevator Constructors paid Local 14 a visit at our meeting hall, and spoke words of wisdom to all the brothers, something they will remember and shall not forget for a long, long time. The brothers thanked the visiting officers for their visit and great words of wisdom. We will follow them to a Tee. Buffalo, N. Y., had a patriotic parade and mass-meeting Saturday evening, November 24, for organized labor unions. All the labor unions in Buffalo, N. Y., paraded. The Elevator Constructors was as fine a body of men as ever paraded. The people of

Buffalo, N. Y., are still speaking of the Elevator Constructors, because they had an Uncle Sam 14 foot 7 inches high lead them. The brothers that went to Tonawanda, N. Y., and helped Brother G. Krupp dig his potatoes did not get as many as they thought they would. They had to be satisfied with five pounds of potatoes each. It cost them more carfare than the potatoes are worth. But they had a good time digging the potatoes, SO Brother Krupp says. Brothers Dan Shea and J. Linderman are installing two elevators in the Curtis Aeroplane Plant. Brother Dan Shea told the brothers they are using aeroplanes in their work instead of ladders. It is a new way and easy way to raise a machine to the roof. Let's all hope it will be a suc

cess.

The brother elevator men from the C. W. Smith Elevator Company has a bowling team. They bowled the C. W. Smith's office force and beat them by a few pins. They are out to challenge any elevator bowling team. The Otis elevator men are getting a team so they will be ready when they are called to bowl the C. W. Smith elevator team. Elevator work in Buffalo is fair at the present time.

The brothers of Local 14, Elevator Constructors, wish all the International Elevator Constructors in the world a merry Christmas and a prosperous happy New Year. I will stop writing for this year, and thank the Editor for our space in this valuable Journal.

Next, the shipyard men, some 15,000, were out for about forty days. They had hardly got settled back in their places when the operators and electricians of the telephone companies went out for a living wage and better conditions. They have been out a little over a month, and are still out "to win."

The next meeting of Local 19 will be nomination of officers for the ensuing term, and of course the brothers are all fighting for the honors.

At a recent meeting we had as our visitor Brother Roy Chittenden, of Local No. 2, of Chicago, who was in our city installing, with the assistance of Brothers Cole and Pederson, the flashlight and signal system in the new Frederick & Nelson Building, for Elevator Sales Company. The work is now turned over to Brother Pederson.

Brother Chittenden expected to go from here to Montana to do some installing.

Although the electricians claim the electrical work here in the Northwest, the elevator constructors have always done this work and will hold it in the future.

Brother Charles Stevens has completed some work in Tacoma, and is back in our city.

Our gate specialist is Brother "Bill" Taber. He enjoys re-touching with Otis' special black paint.

Brother Pederson followed the example of your worthy correspondent and joined the ranks of the Benedicts this fall. Here's wishing Brother Pederson and his bride a happy and prosperous life.

Local 19 wishes all brothers and sisters a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Bro. F. Sternahl is about to start the Gasco Building job of three traction machines, and we hope that the new postoffice will be ready soon. Bro. Gus Larson has returned from Astoria.

Bro. J. Geil went to Spokane.

Bro. J. L. Garver is in Walla Walla on repair work.

San Francisco correspondent never mentions Bro. A. Eckerle. Brother Eck and his charming wife are much missed here. You are out something, boys, if you have not met them.

It is queer how the elevator constructors figure on going up and not down. I think that Brothers Martin, of Local No. 14, and G. Garver, of No. 23, should get together and solve this. "Pat" has an aeroplane; also "thinks he has." Is thinking of giving it a trial if anyone will take a chance with it. I think he got the idea from Bob Concoff.

Lew was to give me a print of some invention of his; will try to get it for next month. I hardly feel myself since my illness, but my family and myself will long remember the great kindness shown us during my illness by President Ash and boys of No. 23.

Lodges and churches could learn a great lesson from our little union when our boys are in trouble.

Would like to see another of Brother Havenstrite's letters in next issue; letters from my native State are of much interest to me.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

of timidity do I venture into these pages, surrounded by so many able writers.

To say interesting and educational is putting it mild, to read the correspondence of the various brothers, and I am sure the members would be benefited immeasurably if they would read every article in the Journal, as it is practically the only way the different locals have of learning of the tribulations and successes of other locals, and profiting thereby.

We here in Atlanta have enjoyed unusual prosperity, as far as making time is concerned, but if the necessities of life continue their upward flight out of all proportion with the increase in wages, we will be experiencing unusual hardships. Don't misunderstand me now. I am not what is called a calamity howler, but I am protesting against the unequal distribution of the profits of our labor. The laboring people don't seem to accomplish much by merely protesting. Well, the adage goes, "Actions speak louder than words."

With deep concern do we read of the disputes in the ranks of organized labor over jurisdictional claims affecting the elevator constructors in several cities. Of course, it is obvious to every union man, the imperative necessity of harmony at this time, but we just don't seem to eliminate the contentious element. Well, we often hear that competition is the life of trade, but disregarding the decisions of the A. F. of L. is very injurious to the movement.

From the tone of some of the writers they seem to think they have the best town in the grand old U. S. A. I wish to correct them on that point. Proofs? Yes. Brothers J. C. Waldron, our super, of Phillie; George Wills, of New Yawk; Tommie Frazier, from Washington, D. C., and several others. We couldn't run them out of town if we wanted to, to say nothing of the ones that left against their will.

The merchants are enjoying an era of unprecedented business since Camp Gordon added some thousands to our

population. This local has voted to keep the brothers called to the colors in good standing until they bring back Kaiser Bill's scalp or he gets theirs.

Bro. S. J. McGloughlin, our financial secretary-treasurer, and Bro. R. L. Harper, recording secretary and business agent, can't agree who has the most work to do. They are both hard workers. Brothers Wade Foster and Noah Carden, not having anything but B. V. D.'s, have gone to Jacksonville and Miami, Fla., respectively, to spend a little time putting in some jobs for the Otis Company. Brother Parker working out of Chicago is with us now. There are several other members that I would like to introduce to you, but in view of the fact that I am a stranger in your midst, so to speak, and so much other valuable reading matter in the journal, I will let you off this time until we get better acquainted.

It is with lamentations and apprehensions that we hear through the ardent advocate of the "Gallant Ninth" that these millions of the U. S. have to look to any particular part of the U. S. for protection and aid. I am not such an egotist as to say in the "Me und Gott" manner that we were the most heroic or patriotic, because I know there were others equally brave and sacrificing, as history records. As far as the "gallant this or that, or the nation being threatened by the forces of disintegration" fifty years ago are concerned, it is with hesitancy that we accept this as a criterion of Northern sentiment. Allow me to suggest to the brother from Boston that this is an exceedingly inopportune time to renew any sectional feeling, when harmony and concerted action are so essential to the successful prosecution of this present-day war for our convictions. The United States and the Confederate States fought for their convictions. Bigger men than either you or I have buried the hatchet.

Fraternally yours,
W. F. WOODS.

Local No. 32.

CENSUS OF MAN POWER. Washington. For the purpose of assembling the man power of the nation against Germany the war department is preparing to examine the remaining more than nine million draft eligibles. The President has issued a statement in connection with this plan in which he says:

"The selective principle must be carried to its logical conclusion. We must make a complete inventory of the qualifications of all registrants in order to determine as to each man not already selected for duty with the colors, the place in the military, industrial or agricultural ranks of the nation in which his experience and training can best be made to serve the common good. This project involves an inquiry by the selection boards into the domestic, industrial and educational qualifications nearly ten million men."

of

Each registrant will be forwarded questions to be answered by him. As rapidly as the boards receive these answers, they will begin fixing classes to which the registrants belong. When a man's place is thus determined the order in which he shall be called in his class will be fixed on the order in which his number was drawn in the draft lottery of last July. Every eligible is entitled to appeal from the classification given him by his local board.

UNION SHIP IS FIRST.

Seattle. The first vessel for the United States emergency fleet corporation has been launched at the Skinner & Eddy yards. This contract was the eighty-third let, but is the first to be fulfilled. The Skinner & Eddy plant is strictly union, and its management has repeatedly announced that it would employ no other kind of labor.

Because the anti-union chamber of commerce ignored the launching of this vessel, the Central Labor Council appointed a committee to represent Seattle workers when the ship took her first dip.