The world does not owe every man a living, but the world should give every man the right to earn a living by his own work It should be the business of the governments of the world to provide a way that will open the door of opportunity for every man to secure the education and training that fit him for work which will enable him by his own toil to secure a living for himself and family. The world, too, should recognize every man's right to earn his living under free and fair conditions.-E.r.

The annual report of Labor Commissioner McCormack of Indiana, just issued, deals with strikes and their causes. Of the causes he says: "Ninety per cent of the strikes are due to the fact that the employer has not been fair or has utterly refused to treat with his men. It is not usually a question of wages, but of humanity."

* * *

The longest telephone line in Germany is 743 miles in length, and runs between Berlin and Paris. Then follow Berlin and Buda-Pest, 612 miles; Berlin and Memel, 598 miles; Berlin and Basel, 577 miles. The line between Berlin and Frankfort is the most used, 485 communications being transmitted daily.

* * *

Masons in the Eibenstock district of Germany received from 8 to 9 cents an hour, carpenters from 7 to 8 cents an hour, and day laborers from 45 to 60 cents a day of twelve hours. At present a railway is being built at Eibenstock on which 150 laborers are paid from 60 to 72 cents a day.

* * *

The life of an eyelash is from 100 to 150 days. They grow very slowly, but finger nails grow quite rapidly in comparison. If a person could live without cutting or .breaking his nails for a lifetime they would attain the length of 73 inches. It takes about 121 days for a new nail to form on the little finger and 138 on the thumb.

Organized labor can not expect to be treated with other than contempt by the business men so long as it is careless about the manner in which it spends its earnings. There is no incentive for a business man to treat with organized labor if we are to spend our money with those who do not.

*

Many employers do not know what a strike means or costs until they have one on their hands, and to a majority it is a lesson they never forget, and as a consequence afterwards, although they claim to have defeated the union, they are far readier to hear a committee and consider grievances than they were before. In ninety-five

The following figures will show the remarkable growth of trade and labor unions in France:

In 1881 there were 179; in 1887, 1,358; in 1894, 4.965; in 1900, 7,081; in 1902, 8,818; in 1903, 9,280.

In these figures are included the employment unions, mixed unions and workmen's unions.

Not only have the unions increased rapidly, but the number of members has risen from 481,000 in 1890, and 1,191,260 in 1900, to 1,481,485 on the 1st of January, 1903.

W. B. Marsh.

J. W. Timmerman. F. Von Hatten. S. W. McInroy. C. D. Squires. A. Lilly. C. J. Bruckert. W. H. Groovesteen. M. G. Woolley.

C. L. Palmer. J. F. Lambert, Genl. Chairman. A. E. Blim, Genl. Sec. & Treas. V. Marcinkowski. GENERAL COMMITTEE-NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILWAY.

He had reached that portion where it was related how old Bonds, the millionaire, had laid the foundation of his immense wealth by an act of politeness, when an old woman tapped on the counter.

Putting the book hastily aside, the young operator, with the career of old Bonds in his mind's eye, hastened to obey the sum

mons.

"Young man, if I send a message now, when will it get there?" asked the old

woman.

Where is it going, madam?"

"Well, it's going to Aunt Jane, if you must know!" snapped the old woman.

"Yes'm; and where does Aunt Jane live?" asked the operator, resolving to be polite at all hazards.

"Well, I never saw such impudence! I suppose you'll be next wanting to know if Aunt Jane is married next! Well, she is, if that is any satisfaction to you. She has three children, wears glasses, goes regularly to church, and expects to make jam next week! Is there anything else that you wish to know, young man?"

"Yes'm," said the operator, desperately. "I would like to know where Aunt Jane lives?"

"Well, I never! Why, you miserable little upstart! I've a mind to come over there and spank you! What's that, young man? Bad language? I shall see that you are reported at once."

The door banged, and the operator went wearily back to his seat, and, picking up the

book he had been reading, threw it out of the window.

Fifteen minutes later, when an old man came in and wanted to know when the 8:30 train left, the operator heaved the contents of the coal scuttle at him, and immediately sent in his resignation.

IN A RAILROAD CAR. The Story of an Employe's Mistake.

From the French.

FTER I had graduated with honors from Saumur I was appointed a Second Lieutenant of the Sixteenth Cuirassiers. The Colonel of the regiment whom I knew but little, was an old friend of my family.

One morning toward the end of October I received orders to join my regiment immediately. The evening found me walking up and down the platform of the station a few minutes before the departure of the eight o'clock express, looking for a vacant compartment.

The guard opened a door bearing the sign "Smokers." I made a wry face at the prospect of being enveloped in stale tobacco fumes, but as I stood a good chance of having the compartment to myself, I jumped aboard.

As I had hoped, no one disturbed me. Little by little, lulled by the monotonous movement, I fell into a light sleep.

"Chateau Thierry!" called the guard, in a hoarse voice.

I opened one eye and stretched myself. From the opposite entrance a young woman swept like a whirlwind into my compart

ment.

"Well," I thought, "here is a woman who does not object to smoke."