reduction of losses in production as well morally and temperamentally unfit to as by accident.

"A better understanding of the conditions by all concerned will eventually lead to equitable laws. Thus we find another evidence of the value of safety as an asset, when through the forum of its encouragement we solve problems equally vital to the body industrial."

The congress, at its closing session, adopted resolutions pledging the members to exert their influence against the use of alcoholic stimulants among employes of their plants and factories.

Edwin R. Wright, objecting to a recommendation for a law to compel physical examination of all employes, said:

"The employers are not hiring perfectly formed men, nor are they paying the wage that entitles them to perfect, superhuman employes. Four out of ten men injured in industrial accidents are discharged at once."

Justice Wright Resigns Office-Official End of the Judge Who Sentenced Messrs. Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison to Jail.

Justice Wright of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia has handed his resignation to President Wilson, to take effect November 15th.

It is agreed the resignation will be accepted, as this action of Justice Wright has been expected for some time.

The Congressional impeachment investigation that has been conducted for some time as to the judicial fitness of Justice Wright will probably be dropped.

hold judicial office, and whether he has been guilty of various other acts of personal and judicial misconduct for which he should be impeached.”

As the Committee on Judiciary established a precedent a few years ago in the case of a western judge who resigned while impeachment charges were pending, the same course will probably be followed in this case.

Justice Wright attracted attention of a certain kind because of his judicial bearing at the trials and when sentencing President Gompers, Vice-President Mitchell and Secretary Morrison to one year, nine months and six months in jail, respectively, because of an alleged violation of an injunction issued by Judge Gould in the Bucks Stove and Range Company case. In passing sentence, Justice Wright was most bitter and abusive in speech.

When the United States Supreme Court set these verdicts aside, and ordered the case remanded for trial "without prejudice," Justice Wright gave an exhibition of his "judicial temperament" by his appointment of three lawyers who were ordered to investigate and report whether there was "reasonable ground to believe" that the defendants had violated the injunction. The three lawyers had served as prosecutors of the trade unionists in the first case.

Daniel Thew Wright, for it is current Thus ends the official career of "Judge" topic that he will never be a candidate for an elective office and that no President or Governor would appoint him to one.A. F. of L. News Letter.

Labor Affairs in the United Kingdom.*

The charges were made last March by Representative Park, of Georgia, in the form of a resolution instructing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire and report whether action by the House is nec- At the time of writing (October 1st) essary "concerning the alleged official mis- nine weeks of the European war have conduct of Daniel Thew Wright; whether passed by-nine weeks of the most dreadhe has accepted favors from lawyers ap- ful warfare known in the history of the pearing before him; whether he has per- world, whether one judges by the size of mitted counsel for a street railway to in- the armies involved or the intensity of dorse his notes while said counsel was en- the conflict. Germany, Austria-Hungary, gaged in business and causes before his France, Belgium and Servia are praccourt; whether he has collected and tically shut up shops so far as industry wrongfully appropriated other people's is concerned. England, however, owing money; whether he has purposely changed to her command of the seas and to the the record in order to prevent the rever- fact of her not having a conscript army, sal of causes wherein he presided; is able to carry on her daily work. Of whether he has arbitrarily revoked, with- course she has contributed enormously to out legal right, an order of a judge of con- the fighting forces. The British navy by current jurisdiction, appointing three receivers so as to favor his friend by appointing him sole receiver; whether he is

*Exclusive correspondence to the Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine.

beleaguering the German coasts has thus trades feel the pinch somewhat seriously. far held nearly all of the German navy Conversely, certain industries are benein its own waters, the consequent result fiting by the war. All workers engaged being that the seas of the world are free in the production of war materials from for traffic except to an infinitesimal de- dreadnoughts and enormous guns right gree.

down to razors for soldiers' use, and of The British standing army in times of course including soldiers' clothing, are as peace is only a small affair. Figured out busy as they can be. Overtime is being at something a little over 100,000 men it universally worked in these sections and is but a pigmy compared with the furthermore, workmen engaged in the millions kept under arms in times of specific production of arms and ammunipeace by the larger nations of continental tion have been forbidden to enlist in the Europe. The British army in this time army. Still, this latter factor is common of war, however, has expanded enormous- to all the nations at war.

ly and in a way never dreamed of before The British Government has been on in this country. Well over half a million the alert from the very start to minimize fresh and fit men were enlisted into the the distress resulting from the effect of regular army within four weeks after the the war on industrial conditions. Charity United Kingdom was drawn into the and alms-giving was dispensed with from conflict. Day by day since, thousands the start except in cases of helpless deupon thousands of men have joined and pendents and the injured. Relief works are still joining at the time of writing. were preferred and all kinds of useful opAt the same time the British territorials erations have been started to absorb unwere also mobilized. These are the young employment and these have been organworkmen, retail clerks, business men, ized on scientific lines so that not only etc., who in times of peace devote half are they free from the usual wastefulness holidays and their annual vacations to that characterizes hastily conceived redrilling and acquiring the use of arms lief works in times of peace, but they are and an understanding of camp life and commercially sound and profitable. field operations. They embrace infantry, Taking all things into account it can cavalry and artillery and join their vari- be said that it is not expected that at any ous regiments for home defence only. time the evils of unemployment will be They are thus able to replace regular so serious as in some bad industrial soldiers when the latter are sent abroad. crisis years in times of peace. Building Furthermore, as can be imagined, the work, which was stopped for many great majority of them volunteer also in months by the dispute between masters times of need for foreign service, as they and men, is now almost in full swing, and have done upon this present occasion. it is gratifying to see derricks moving Many of these volunteers, although anx- once again above empty or half-built-on ious to get into the firing lines, will prob- sites. Happily, at this moment a large ably be used more for keeping open lines number of contracts are in hand, and the of communication adjacent to the battle building trade will experience something areas and for use in Egypt, Malta, and like a boom if the course of the war does elsewhere along routes that over-the-seas not upset calculations. British troops may come. All told, it is The trade unions are feeling a heavy expected that the British army will by drain upon their unemployment funds, next spring, taking all divisions of the but it is now arranged that they are to service into account, number one and receive government aid in this connection. one-quarter millions. Englishmen, Irish- The machinery for this already exists in men, Scotsmen, and Welshmen alike have connection with the National Insurance come to the fore and our Jewish fellow Act, but new provisions have been added citizens are behaving with equal pat- to those thus already provided. Presiriotism. From the overseas dominions dent Runciman, of the Board of Trade, also enormous help is flowing.

after a lengthy conference with trade Turning to the effect of the war upon union leaders, announced on September industry in these islands, it is good to 17th that the new provision about to be note how little the serious disturbance made would apply to all unions in unhas been. Of course, there is increased insured trades whose rules provide for unemployment, but this has been lessened out-of-work benefit. Section 106 of the to a large degree by the number of men Insurance Act, under which the grants joining the army. Some industries have will be made, empowers the Board of been hit worse than others. Workmen Trade to repay (out of moneys provided and workwomen engaged in the luxury by Parliament and not from the National

Insurance Act's unemployment fund), to a trade union or other non-trading society, paying unemployment benefit, any amount up to one-sixth of the total amount expended on such benefit, provided the payment made to any individual member is not more than $3 a week. In cases where the individual payment is more than $3 a week no part of the payment which exceeds that amount can be refunded. Advantage has been taken of this section of the act by an increasing number of unions, and something like a million and a half persons are covered by it.

General Secretary - Treasurer of Bookbinders' Brotherhood Called by Death.

James W. Dougherty, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders, died at Indianapolis, Ind., September 25th. Mr. Dougherty was an earnest and active trade unionist and his work contributed materially to the success that organization has attained.

Industrial Items of Interest.*

Friends of Seamen's Bill Urged to

It is further understood that, in the Press Its Passage by U. S. Senate.new proposals of the Board of Trade, the Trade unionists, sympathizers, and all unions will be allowed a repayment, not other citizens who favor safety of life at of one-sixth, but of one-third of the sea are urged to immediately telegraph amounts paid out, and that the repay- Senators, urging them to favor the pasor write their respective United States ment will be made not only on amounts sage of the seamen's bill, which passed up to $3 a week, but on as much as $3.75 the Senate last fall and was passed in an a week. Unions, therefore, who give out- amended form by the House on August of-work pay at the rate of $3.75 a week, 27th. will receive from the government one- This bill is now in the Committee on third of that amount, or $1.25, instead of Commerce of the Senate, where it is only one-sixth of the first $3, or 50 cents, liable to remain unless those who favor as at present. At the present time the lessening sea disasters become alert to textile unions in Lancashire are paying the danger of the bill remaining in comout to their unemployed members some- mittee during these closing days of the thing like $150,000 a week-the spinners present Congress. alone pay between $65,000 and $70,000— and the rate per member averages about $3.75 a week. If grants from the government are made on the scale which is expected, it will mean a repayment of some $50,000 to the funds of the various societies, and nearly $25,000 a week to the Spinners' Amalgamation alone.

Progress has been made with the organization of the Queen's scheme of the relief of unemployment among women during the coming winter. Some $40,000,000 has been assigned to be expended in wages, and about thirty factories have been secured close to London. It is hoped, as subscriptions flow in, to establish similar factories for the employment of women workers in various parts of the country, and one of the first of these will be opened in Birmingham. In London the plan of the committee has been to take over factories in working order and to provide the necessary expenses, including the wages of the employes. Each woman receives pay at the uniform rate of 6 cents an hour, and

The Democratic textbook, issued by that party for use in the present campaign, predicts the passage of this bill in conference, but it is certain of beas follows: "At this writing the bill is coming a completed 'achievement' before Congress adjourns."

Because this session of Congress is nearing an end, trade unionists are not the only ones who refuse to accept this roseate view, as is shown by the following editorial, published in the Washington Times, issue of October 5, 1914.

"More than two years ago it passed the House. The short session of the Fiftythat was pocket-vetoed by Taft. On the third Congress passed an emasculated bill 23d of October last year, the Senate passed a good bill. The International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea was used as an excuse for delaying action in the House. When the conference had completed its labors, the Senate Commit tee on Foreign Relations refused to indorse the action taken at London, except in a modified form. The last month for safety of life at sea is December coming ratification of the London conference on It has not been ratified and plainly will not now be.

none work for more than forty hours a "About a month ago the House passed week. This time-limit has been decided a substitute, which is now in the Commitupon in order to provide work for as tee on Commerce of the Senate. The exmany as possible.

*From A. F. of L. News Letter.

cuse for delaying action now is possibly banks or artificial persons on satisfacinternational complications in which no one really believes. The real purpose seems to be the opposition of the ship owners who are utterly opposed to any

real change.

tory security and permit them to loan to the people on short time and at high rates of interest if satisfactory security is offered, but there are a great many of our people who are really in need of help, really in need of assistance, who are not in a position to get their claims presented to Congress. This bill is intended to furnish relief to deserving people who

"The Titanic, the Volturno, the Monroe, and the Empress of Ireland, aside from several other vessels, the latest being the Leggett, on the coast of California, have been lost with large numbers of people, and yet no legislation to remedy the present ineffective law dealing with life-saving cannot avail themselves of the provisions appliances and men to handle them. The of the banking laws where security is testimony is unanimous that the difference required and short time given and a in the cost of operation is, under existing high rate of interest exacted, but who law, so much in favor of foreign vessels will be able to secure the government that we cannot compete. It is equally

conceded that the passage of the seamen's from loss. This bill is not intended to bill would place us in a position to com- take the place entirely of the rural credit pete; and yet when the different bills that bills which have been introduced. but it are to be passed prior to adjournment of is intended to supplement those measthis session are enumerated, we do not ures." find the seamen's bill among them.

"All the information that can possibly German Unions Helpful.-It is gathbe obtained on this subject has been ob- ered from scattering reports coming from tained. It is purely a question of getting war-bound countries that the German the bill into conference and getting it trade unions are assisting in providing passed. Both political parties are equally for the families of those who have been pledged to this legislation. The pledge was not made to the seamen, it was made drafted for service in the present war. It to the people of the country. It was not is stated that the German trade unions made in haste or without consideration, are also paying relief to the unemployed it was made after careful investigation that followed the loss of the Titanic. There can be no legitimate reason for not passing this bill before Congress adjourns. Let the bill be passed and the promises kept."

Government Loans for the People.— United States Senator Jones of Washington has introduced a bill in the Senate to amend the Federal reserve board act to organize and put in operation a loaning system through which loans not exceeding $5,000 may be made to any one person at not to exceed 4 per cent interest, and for a period of time not to exceed twenty years. These loans shail be made only for the purpose of acquiring farm lands or city property, and improving the same for residence purposes, or for improving residence property.

The bill provides that the loans shall be made "to such honest, industrious, temperate, economical persons, as in the judgment of said board, with the property so purchased or improved as security, will reasonably insure the repayment of such loan with interest within the time fixed."

and in some cases war relief. For instance, the Vorwaerts gives the following rates of relief being extended: Wood Workers, 6 shillings per week for married men and 4 shillings for unmarried or unemployed. For the support of families of those drafted for war, 3 shillings per week. Printers are paying unemployment benefits. The Textile Workers have reduced their unemployment benefits to two-thirds the usual amount, and a quarter of this is granted as war relief. The Brewers, Millers, Stokers, Enginemen, and Transport Workers are paying out unemployment benefits, but war relief is urgently needed, and the Miners have voted $250,000 for war and relief purposes. Tobacco Workers are receiving 6 shillings per week for unemployment and 2 shillings for support of families of those drafted for war. Saddlers are paying a levy varying from 5 to 10 per cent increase on their usual subscriptions, and unemployment benefits are being paid out at the rate of 7 shillings per week for men and 5 shillings per week for women.

For Workingmen's Homes.-The first annual report of the Massachusetts State

In introducing the bill, Senator Jones Homestead Commission is declared to be made this comment:

"Mr. President, the strong and the powerful are able to present their claims to Congress for consideration in cases of emergency and to secure relief, and that is very proper; we are issuing money to

a classic on the subject of providing homes for workers and kindred questions. Charts show that the highest infant mortality is in the congested mill towns and the lowest in the towns and cities where sanitary conditions are up to date

and where the people are not over- but the department asserts that is imcrowded. possible "for the reason that the claims upon the packages are purposely so guarded as to evade action."

The need of encouraging people to enter the agricultural calling is pointed out, and also the importance of spreading information. The constitutional ob- President Remains Firm.-President jection to State aid for workingmen's Wilson refuses to consider compromise homes is discussed and the commission suggestions offered by Colorado coal opsays:

"Wherever the State has undertaken such work, profound economic, social and political advantages have resulted."

erators who have declined to follow the action of the striking miners in that State and accept the President's recommendation that a three years' truce be declared. It is shown that the more congested It is said that the chief executive told the the population the greater the number operators of social dangers that are liable of deaths due to tuberculosis.

Recommendations are made concerning local planning boards; profitable use of suburban homes; assessment of betterments; the establishment of residential districts; and for the establishment and maintenance of agricultural instruction for families.

to result from present deplorable conditions. It was intimated, also, that the government may find it necessary to withdraw the Federal troops from the strike fields and throw the mine owners back on the State authorities for protection. The President made it clear to the operators that he did not consider it proper for him to attempt to pass upon the merits of any compromise suggestions, inasmuch as he could not, from his official position, attempt to act as umpire for the controversy between the operators and miners.

I

Railroad Signal Maintainers. The most recent railroad lavor organization to become affiliated with the American Federation of Labor is the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen of America, to which organization a charter was issued last Power of the Press. Give me but the April. These employes keep the inter- liberty of the press, and I will give to locking plants on railroads in order by the minister a venal house of peers. making necessary repairs, adjusting ex- will give to him a corrupt and servile pansions, looking after machinery, bat- house of commons. I will give him the teries and lamps. They form the con- full sway of the patronage of office. I necting link between the Trackmen and will give him the full house of ministerial the Telegraphers and every man employed influence. I will give him all the power on a railroad can now boast of having a that place can confer upon him to purNational organization to look after his in- chase up submission and overawe reterests. The Brotherhood has found it sistance. expedient to adopt methods to avoid vicAnd yet, armed with liberty of the timization, and from reports received from press, I will go forth to meet him undisvarious centers they are making progress mayed. I will attack the mighty fabric such as no such other organization ever that has reared with the mightier engine. made. With a diligent roster of officers I will shake down from its height corand the aid of all other railroad organiza- ruption and bury it amid the ruins of tions it is expected that they will come the abuses it was meant to shelter.rapidly to the front.

Anti-Fat Cures Are Fakes. - Beware of so-called anti-fat "cures" is the warning of the United States Department of Agriculture, in response to inquiries as to specific remedies.

After tests, the department says, virtually all such preparations are worthless. "In the knowledge of all drug specialists at the present time," it is asserted, there is no preparation that can be depended upon to reduce flesh in any marked degree without doing injury. Specialists of the department say the only ways to safely reduce flesh are dieting and exercise.

Letters urging prevention of the sale of the preparations have been received,

Sheridan.

Labor Makes Protest.-Organized labor of New York is vigorously protesting against cataloguing employes by the means of the Bertillon finger-print system for the use of industrial insurance companies. The cards issued by the New York insurance companies require employes to fill out blanks giving the color of their hair and eyes, their height and weight, and a definite space is provided on the cards for the prints of the first three fingers, similar to the cards used by police headquarters. A vigorous protest is also being made against the requirement that women shall undergo a physical examination after being laid off for two weeks.