The Brandeis Appointment.

For once in the history of the United States Supreme Court a man thoroughly in sympathy with the plain people, particularly the toiling classes, has received an appointment to that august judicial body by a President of the United States. The selection of Mr. Brandeis while wholly favorable to the masses of the people of this country is without a doubt very disagreeable to the big interests, who have already lined up their forces in Washington in an endeavor to prevent the confirmation of his appointment by Congress which is necessary before he can take his seat on the Supreme Court bench.

Should Congress confirm the appointment of Mr. Brandeis, it will be the means of removing to some extent the great feeling of doubt and misgiving that the plain people, workers, hold against that tribunal which has been looked upon for years in a most distrustful manner by the plain people, who have generally viewed it as a rich man's court, a sort of haven of security for the wealthy violators-big business-of the law who, as a general rule, when convicted find refuge behind the trenches of legal technicalities, until rescued by the lengthy and carefully prepared decision of either the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals or that august tribunal, the Supreme Court.

Such a man, or several such men as Mr. Brandeis on the Supreme Bench would command for that institution a more wholesome respect than it has been able to command from the plain people, at least in recent years.

President Wilson is entitled to and should receive the highest commendation for his wisdom and foresight in selecting Mr. Brandeis to fill such an important position. Before making the appointment he undoubtedly investigated and analyzed the record of Mr. Brandeis, and in doing so discovered that this great attorney had always been a defender of the rights of the plain people and had, through his knowledge and force of character, brought about many social and economic reforms, and was truly an advocate of the people. There is his successful fight for the minimum wage law, in the interest of the workers. His able and successful defense of the shorter workday for women, which was carried from the Oregon State Supreme Court after an adverse decision to the United States Supreme Court and won by Brandeis, who represented the

workers of Oregon before that court and won a verdict for the working women of the nation.

His greatest fight for the people was the fight he carried to the Supreme Court for the conservation of natural resources of the Nation for the people, against the big interests. Such a man is Louis D. Brandeis, lawyer, patriotic citizen and advocate of the people a title that to our mind will ever supremely outshine even the title, "justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

The following tentative agreement which was submitted to the members of the Executive Board for their approval and which failed to receive the endorsement of the majority of the board members has therefore not been adopted and is not to be recognized or considered by our local unions as final and binding:

AGREEMENT.

Subject to the approval of the executive board members of both organizations. Agreement entered into this 25th day of November, 1915, by and between the representatives of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers and Pile Drivers and the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers International Union.

In order to conserve and protect the interests of the two above named organizations the following agreement shall be adopted:

It is hereby agreed and understood by and between the representatives of both of the above named organizations that where either of the above named organizations have no local union which does not control the reinforcing for reinforced concrete work, it is mutually agreed that in such localities the members of the two above named organizations shall work in co-operation to the end that the best interests of both organizations will be served.

It is further agreed that in all such localities that upon such work fifty per cent of each organization's members shall be employed upon this class of work.

It is agreed that all foremen upon this class of work must be members of either one of the two above named organizations.

In the event of a dispute arising in any locality between local unions parties to this agreement said dispute shall be referred to both international presidents for settlement.

It is also agreed that in all localities the parties to this agreement shall receive the highest prevailing scale of wages while working upon this class of work.

For I. A. Bridge and Structural Iron Workers:
JOSEPH E. MCCLORY.
J. A. JOHNSTON.
For I. U. Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers:
WM. J. MCSORLEY.
JOHN T. TAGGART.

Rivets.

AGNES THECLA FAIR.

No, Cholomondelay, to create a stench in the community does not signify you are smart.

Cleverness comes from creative source; cunning from the baser source.

Don't be afraid; neither God, man nor the devil can hurt you in the fight because you're right.

Cleanness of mind and body go hand in hand. Not because his hair is curly, but because he's strictly union, he's your brother.

Organize yourself, then the other fellows.

The Blast, a new labor paper, is not revolutionary, its devilutionary.

Six dollars, six hours, and home by the fireside when it showers.

Let the boss buy scab oleomargarine. the creamery.

You get

To Europe you need not roam; there's a bigger war going on right at home.

PORTLAND, ORE., February 5, 1916.

Editor Bridgemen's Magazine:

Just a few lines to our Cozy Corner, as it has been some time since I have contributed anything, so will endeavor to write, as I see our sisters are few who corresponded in last month's Magazine. However, I must say Portland is experiencing genuine eastern weather, so if any one says, "A rose for you in Portland grows" at this time, he is surely affable.

Having arrived here three weeks ago from Los Angeles I find quite a change. Since leaving Los Angeles I see the efforts of making that town a stronger union town are bound to win, for already peopie have begun to see that without union it is much harder to obtain work and also realize they can not exist on wages that are obtainable. I am glad to say I belong to a union, and yet I did not prosper a great deal in Los Angeles, as several employers would say, "We can get all the help we need without going to the unions." It is much different here, as it seems to me. I see a very nice piece of poetry written by one of the sisters for the boys up there. In reply, I think the majority of us quite often think of them. I

Mothers, wives, sweethearts and daughters are cordially invited to contribute to this department.

for one think it would give them much pleasure to bundle up some magazines and papers and send them. I have sent them some Portland papers which will give them some idea of our climate at present.

I see you have some brothers here who keep you informed as to labor conditions. Although structural work is out of my territory, I still enjoy reading and contributing; also for old times' sake, as I feel and always have felt that they combine strong fellowship.

I want to say I attended the Schmidt trial in Los Angeles, and I was very sorry to hear the verdict, as we all know the boys who are now, and have served time, are doing time others should, if true justice was given. Some of the readers will understand my meaning, I'm sure.

In reading the Magazine, I see Salt Lake is without a business agent. I, too, think this is a great necessity in any local, and truly hope to read in the next issue that they have succeeded in landing one.

I would like to see more letters in the Cozy Corner, as it gives me an idea of what the majority of our sisters believe.

Now, if this doesn't reach the waste basket, perhaps the next one will be from our new flourishing town, Oatman, Ariz., as I think, being as I am one of the floaters, I will endeavor to float on. I wish to thank the party who so willingly presented me with last month's Magazine. of Local No. 29, and also stated that I might get one at any time by calling. Trusting all locals will stick to one combined effort, and that is "unionism". Sorry to read of a few of the brothers turning against their fellow brothers.

So with best wishes and regards to the International and also the Federal local, one and all, I remain a sincere reader and contributor; also wishing all a prosperous year. Also good luck and regards to old Card No. 4790. Yours truly,

MRS. S. W. (A Floater).

A RECIPE FOR MAYONNAISE DRESSING.

1 teaspoon mustard.

à teaspoon salt.

3 tablespoons sugar. 2 eggs.

3 tablespoons vinegar.

1 tablespoon melted butter.

Love That Is Blighted.

DENVER, COLO., February 15, 1915. Editor Bridgemen's Magazine:

How many bright eyes grow dim; how many soft cheeks grow pale: how many lovely forms fade away into the tomb, and none can tell the cause that blighted their loveliness? As the dove will clasp its wings to its side, and cover and conceal the arrow that is preying on its vitals, so it is the nature of woman to hide from the world the pangs of wounded affection The love of a delicate female is always shy and silent. Even when fortunate she scarcely breathes it to herself; but when otherwise she buries it in the depth of her bosom, and there lets it brood and cower among the ruins of her peace. With her the desire of the heart has failed. The great charm of existence is at an end. She neglects all the cheerful exercises which gladden the spirits, quicken the pulses, and send the tide of life in healthful currents through the veins. Her rest is broken; the sweet refreshment of sleep is poisoned by melancholy dreams: "dry sorrow drinks her blood," until her feeble frame sinks under the slightest external injury. Look for her after a little while, and you will find friendship weeping

Before It Is Too Late.

If you have a gray-haired mother

In the home far away,

Sit down and write the letter

You put off day by day.

Don't wait until her tired steps

Reach heaven's pearly gates, But show her that you think of her Before it is too late.

If you've a tender message
Or a loving word to say,
Don't wait till you forget it,

But whisper it today.

Who knows what bitter memories
May haunt you if you wait?
So make your loved ones happy
Before it is too late.

We live but in the present,
The future is unknown.
Tomorrow is a mystery,

Today is all our own.
The chance that fortune leads to
May vanish while you wait,
So send your life's rich pleasures
Before it is too late.

The tender words unspoken,
The letters never sent,
The long-forgotten messages,
The wealth of love unspent.
For these some hearts are breaking,
For these some loved ones wait;
So show them that you care for them
Before it is too late.

--Charles W. Coburn.

We Need These Truths.

MRS. J. S. MATHER.

Get these thoughts well into our inner minds and live accordingly:

The Recording Angel does not care how often we open our Bible, but how we live its teachings. Many self-centered persons are so fond of reflecting over their troubles that they forget their duties.

Brooding over the past is turning over useless chaff. The present is our opportunity.

Grudge thoughts hurt us more than the person we direct them against.

Scandal and gossip are boomerangs of the most dangerous kind.

There's plenty of hope for us when we see our faults-very little for us when we don't.

Site-tax is the natural tax.

Combining the Mothers' Pension and the

Public School Systems.

Two hundred years ago in England it was the law that children convicted of stealing should suffer the death penalty.

At that time there were no free public schools or public schools of any kind. All schools were privately operated for profit.

The cost to the parents of sending their children to these private schools (conducted for profit) was so large that men who worked for the ordinary wages of that time were not able to send their children to school at all.

Most of these children grew up illiterate, but thousands of them were caught stealing and many were hanged till dead.

It was discovered that children who were educated did not steal and get hanged. An agitation was started to school all children at public expense. This was bitterly opposed for longer than one hundred years.

In 1829 in the city of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, the home of the liberty bell, some public-spirited citizens attempted to organize a meeting to promote the idea of free public schools, to be supported by general taxation. They were set upon by the police, beaten, thrown into prison, called anarchists and undesirable citizens.

Some property owners said it was confiscation to tax one man's property to educate another man's children. They said that each man should pay for the schooling of his own children or their children should go unschooled, and that it would pauperize parents to educate their children at public expense.

People who opposed this idea of free public schools said, that if parents who were poor were relieved of paying for the schooling of their own children and relieved of this responsibility, these parents would become lazy and shiftless.

Last year in the United States, over seven hundred and fifty million dollars, raised by general taxation, was spent on free public schools, and the taxpayers are prouder of and more satisfied with this expenditure of public money than with any other.

Previous to 911 in the several States, it was the law that mothers who were too poor to provide for their own children had their children taken away from them by the juvenile courts and sent to institutions, which institutions were supported by general taxation.

Tens of thousands of children were separated from their mothers in this way in the United States during the years from 1898 to 1911.

In 1911 the State of Illinois enacted the first statewide Mothers' Pension law, which law authorized the payment of "sufficient" money to mothers of dependent children to enable these mothers to take care of their own children in their own homes; this money to be collected by general taxation.

Twenty-six States now have this law and this year more than twelve million dollars will be paid to these mothers under this system.

This is known as the Mothers' Pension System for abolishing child poverty. For five years I have been making and am still continuing to make a nation-wide campaign to extend this Mothers'

Pension System into every State in the Union and to expand its provisions so that it will abolish child poverty in the same way that free public schools have abolished illiteracy. During the year 1915 I crossed the continent six times from ocean to ocean and campaigned in every large city in the United States. I propose that the Mothers' Pension System and the Free Public School System be combined. They are one in principle and should be one in administration. Judge Henry Neil, Father of the Mothers' Pension System.

The Two Lives.

Two babes were born in the self-same town,
On the very same bright day;

They laughed and cried in their mothers' arms,
In the very self-same way;

And both seemed pure and innocent
As falling flakes of snow;

But one of them lived in the terraced house,
And one in the street below.

Two children played in the self-same town, And the children both were fair,

But one had curls brushed smooth and round, The other had tangled hair.

The children both grew up apace

As other children grow.

But one of them lived in the terraced house. And one in the street below.

Two maidens wrought in the self-same town,
And one was wedded and loved;
The other saw thro' the curtain's part
The world where her sister moved;
And one was smiling, a happy bride,

The other knew care and woe,
For one of them lived in the terraced house.
And one in the street below.

Two women lay dead in the self-same town, And one had tender care;

The other was left to die alone,

On her pallet so thin and bare; One had many to mourn her loss,

For the other few tears would flow: For one had lived in the terraced house, And one in the street below.

If Jesus, who died for rich and poor,
In wondrous, holy love,
Took both the sisters in His arms
And carried them above;

Then all the difference vanished quite,
For in heaven none would know
Which one of them lived in the terraced house,
And which in the street below.

-James McGranaham.

I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.Jefferson.

China may get so weary of trying governments of its own that any suggestions Japan may have to offer will be welcome.

Local Union No. 1.

CHICAGO, ILL., February 21, 1916.

Editor Bridgemen's Magazine:

The twenty-second annual report of the Illinois Department of Factory Inspection has just come to my notice, and after reviewing the same I do not hesitate in stating that it is one of the most interesting reports of any governmental office which it has been my pleasure to read. The most pleasing feature I find in this volume is that, unlike the usual reports of its kind, it contains some real live reading matter and is full of valuable suggestions, especially to members of our trade

It strikes me that the Illinois Department of Factory Inspection has made great progress in this line over previous years, and that it displays a warm-hearted interest in the welfare of the workers.

This report emphasizes the fact that real meaty subjects can be discussed in an official report, because such a department is under the supervision of an active trades unionist. You may undoubtedly know that most reports of this character are generally issued by men whose sympathies do not lie with organized labor and are generally written in such a manner that they are of value only to students of universities or to grace the good looks of libraries.

For this reason trades unions should take an interest in these matters, especially when there is an opportunity of appointing one of their members to a governmental position. When such a time arrives the unions should get behind and push an active, live trades unionist to such offices as govern the health and safety of the workers.

The portion of this book which strikes me as particularly interesting is the chapter entitled "Results of Inspections According to the Provisions of the Structural Law," which appears on page 189 and extends to page 208.

This chapter should appeal to members of this union and in fact to all such as are engaged in the allied building trades.

These pages include a truthful description of the building conditions in Illinois, besides many tables, legislative drafts, recitations of accidents and the proper methods of avoiding them, and also has many drawings and illustrations of immediate use to all engaged in this way of earning a livelihood.

Page 196 contains a draft of amendments to the present law, which was introduced at the hands of the chief of this department and was intended to bring the legal provisions up to date with the rapidly advanced conditions in the building trades. This bill was introduced at the last session of the legislature, but failed of passage owing to the laxity of support which it received.

.

It is hoped that, when introduced at the next session, all members of this trade will take a greater interest in its passage and use every effort to have it spread on the statute books of this State, because such a law will remedy many evils under which the men are suffering at the present time and from which they have been asking relief.

While the Bridgemen's Magazine does not entertain politics, it is most appropriate in this connection to give due credit to the present Governor of Illinois-Hon. Edward F. Dunne-for entrusting the enforcement of these labor laws to Oscar F. Nelson, widely known as an active trades unionist and vice-president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, who is at the head of the Department of Factory Inspection.

The structural law is one of the many laws enforced by this department, and Mr. Nelson has placed the enforcement of same entirely in the hands of Bro. John J. Walt, deputy factory inspector and a member of Local No. 1, who was appointed to this office by Governor Dunne about a year and a half ago. Further credit must be given to Governor Dunne for appointing the Hon. Fred Kern as chairman of the Board of Administration of Illinois, which board handles the erection work of all state institutions and the administration of same. For many years most of the work done on state institutions located in the