power may be delegated to and exercised by the government agent, but the application of even that little power constitutes a limitation upon the rights and freedom of wage-earners and creates a situation which has in it the germs of tyranny and autocratic power.

Governmental power grows by that upon which it feeds. Give an agency any political power and it at once tries to reach out after more.

Its effectiveness depends upon increasing power. This has been demonstrated by the experience of the railroad workers in the enactment of the Adamson law. When Congress exercised the right to establish eight hours for railroad men it also considered a complete program for regulating railroad workers which, if enacted, would culminate in taking from them the right to strike and the conscription act providing for compulsory service.

Compulsory social insurance cannot be administered without exercising control over wage-earners. This is the meat of the whole matter. Industrial freedom exists only when wage-earners have complete control over their labor power. To delegate control over their labor power to an outside agency takes away from the economic power of those wage earners and creates another agency for power. Whoever has control of this new agency acquires some degree of control over the workers. There is nothing to guarantee control over that agency to the employed. It may also be controlled by employers. In other words, giving the government control over industrial relations creates a fulcrum which means great power for an unknown user.

Compulsory social insurance is in its essence undemocratic. The first step in establishing social insurance is to divide people into two groups-those eligible for benefits, and those considered capable to care for themselves. The division is based upon wage-earning capacity. This governmental regulation tends to fix the citizens of the country into classes, and even divide the wage workers into classes, and a long established insurance system would tend to make these classes rigid.

There is in our country more voluntary social insurance than in any other country of the world. We have institutions whereby voluntary insurance can and will be increased. It is true that in many of these institutions there are evils, but the cure of those evils is to make insurance companies organize for mutual

benefit and to provide proper regulation and control, and in addition, if those who really have the welfare of wage earners at heart would turn their activities and their influence towards securing for wage earners the opportunity to organize, there will be no problems, no suffering and no need that will necessitate the consideration of benevolent assistance of a compulsory character.

The workers of America adhere to voluntary institutions in preference to compulsory systems which are held to be not only impractical but a menace to their rights, welfare and their liberty. Health insurance legislation affects wage earners directly. Compulsory institutions will make changes not only in relations of work but in their private lives, particularly a compulsory system affecting health, for good health is not concerned merely with time and conditions under which work is performed. It is affected by home conditions, social relations and all of those things that go to make up the happiness or the desolation of life.

To delegate to the government or to employers the right and the power to make compulsory visitations under the guise of health conditions of the workers is to permit those agencies to have a right to interfere in the most private matters of life. It is, indeed, a very grave issue for workers. They are justified in demanding that every other voluntary method be given the fullest opportunity before compulsory methods are even considered, much less adopted.

The trade unionists who have considered the problem and expressed an opinion have advised against such compulsory institutions. The American Federation of Labor has had the question of social insurance under consideration for several years, and in the report of the Executive Council to the Philadelphia 1914 convention there was a summary of investigations made up to that date. Because these investigations were not as thorough or conclusive as was deemed necessary before deciding so important a policy recommendation was made to the convention that the subject be given additional consideration.

The legislation proposed in New York and other states calls attention to what would be the inevitable consequence of adopting this policy. As is evident from the, proposed measure, it would build up a bureaucracy that

would have some degree of control or authority over all of the workers of the state. It is in the nature of government that when even a slight degree of power is delegated the natural tendency is to increase that power and authority so that the purposes of the law in question may be achieved more completely.

Compulsory sickness insurance for workers is based upon the theory that they are unable

to look after their own interests, and the state must interpose its authority and wisdom and assume the relation of parent or guardian.

There is something in the very suggestion of this relationship and this policy that is repugnant to free-born citizens. Because it is at variance with our concepts of voluntary institutions and freedom for individuals, labor questions its wisdom.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Editor Horseshoers' Magazine:

In the absence of Brother Ball our corresponding secretary, who is in the country at the present time recovering from an attack of the heart, I am sending to you for publication in the MAGAZINE the names of some of the boys of No. 6 who have enlisted, and although it is taking the pick of our young men, it is with best wishes for a safe and victorious return that the members of No. 6 are sending the young men away to fight for our home and country, and with some of the older men regretting that they are past the age limit to enlist and help Uncle Sam in this fight:

OUR ROLL OF HONOR OF ENLISTED MEN.
Albert Mickley
Harry Hill

Andrew Judge

Wm. Hildeibrand Patrick Smith

Harry Fest Joseph Ruch

for the past year the shops using the J. H. U. label have been very busy, due to the fact that about thirty (30) National Association shops have gone out of business compared to three (3) shops that were using the J. H. U. label, which speaks well for the men using the J. H. U. label in Philadelphia. With best wishes to you and all the brothers I remain, Yours fraternally,

CHAS. J. MCNAMEE, Acting Cor. Sec'y of No. 6.

Paterson, N. J.

Editor Horseshoers' Magazine:

In looking over the September number of our MAGAZINE I noticed that quite a number of locals have been granted an increase, and wish to say that Local No. 82 is in the swim.

We made demands to our bosses at their meeting August 15 for $24.00 a week for fire and floor, and after a lengthy discussion that lasted till midnight, we were granted the demands, to take effect September 1-$24.00 a week, 75 cents an hour for overtime in sharpening season, nine hours the first five days, five hours on Saturday the whole year around.

We held our eleventh annual outing at Schweigirth's Grove August 25. The day was a day made to order for the members of Local No. 82. Chowder was served all day and a beef and chicken dinner at noon. We also had a baseball game between the married and single men. The score was 15 to 5 in favor of the married men and every member present had a fine time.

After the business session of our last meeting, September 11, we held a social session,

during which time our worthy president, Timothy McGuirk, was presented with a handsome gold watch charm, studded with rubies, in the shape of a horseshoe with the J. H. U. in the center, in appreciation for his valuable services to Local No. 82.

Brother McGuirck was very much surprised and at a loss for words to express his thanks to his brother members.

After the presentation was made refreshments were served and Brothers Kilgour, Moran, Young and Heap entertained the brothers.

Wishing all the brothers success I remain, Yours for success,

BERNARD MCNAMEE, Cor. Sec'y Local No. 82.

Oakland, Cal.

Editor Horseshoers' Magazine:

I noticed in the MAGAZINE the list or roll of honor, and wishing Local No. 45's quota to be listed with the others I take advantage of this opportunity to inform you of same.

We have two boys who belong on the honor roll; they are Brother Frank Accenelli and Brother John Bohan. Both are volunteers in the 1st California Field Artillery, Battery E. The local is the loser when giving up such good members as Brothers Accenelli and Bohan, but let us hope that they will be as good soldiers as they have been union men.

We hope that they will be as true to the colors as they have been to the local, and may they cover themselves with glory in the struggle for world democracy.

As for the local, it is standing solid, even though we have but one-third the membership we had a couple of years back, yet the foundation of the local is unshaken.

The decrease in membership has been occasioned entirely by the automobile, which has become a modern convenience superior to the horse.

The membership as a unit is better paid up than for a long time, and the journeymen are receiving better wages than ever. before-$5.00 per day, also the shop owners are, with the assistance of the local, receiving more for their work than they could hope to get without us.

Hoping that all members of the I. U. of the

J. H. are enjoying the same prosperity as Local No. 45, I remain,

Very sincerely,

H. JAMES Bard,

Sec'y Local No. 45.

Cleveland, O.

Editor Horseshoers' Magazine:

Well, as another month has gone by I feel it my duty to again write a few lines in behalf of Local No. 15 and the general conditions in and about Cleveland.

At this writing work is just about normal, as about 98 per cent of our members are working. While there are a few that are sick and a few that are afraid to work on account of the war, but particular the leaving of a dollar-aday stuff.

Those sick in the past month were: Brothers Jos. Strimple, Art Clark, Fred Eves, Wm. Walker, and Andrew Ebner, who has been sick for about a year now. He is slowly but surely improving, with hopes of being well again in the near future.

Brother Fred Eves took his vacation by an automobile trip to Buffalo, where he met with an accident which resulted in his getting a very severe scalp wound and two broken ribs. But at this writing he is at work again and is waiting for the word "Go" at the Grand Circuit meeting at Lexington, Ky. His boss, Mr. W. J. Skelly, said Fred went away to get married. Well, he looked it when he got back.

Brother Alger Beckett had the misfortune of losing his baby son two weeks ago, having been sick but a few days. He has the sympathy of the members of Local No. 15.

Mr. Victor Kramer, a member of the Masters No. 4, lost his wife after an operation. He also has the sympathy of our entire membership.

Brother Roberts, as well as Brother Hughes, are again at work after a two weeks' out-ofdoor camp with their wives at Linwood, Ohio. That is, their camp was at Linwood, but the two Jims spent most of their time at Vermillion. I guess it was on account of Hotel accommodations.

Brother Henry Weis is back on the job, after he and his bride of three months took a honeymoon vacation of two weeks.

Brother Fairberg has fully recovered from the shock he got at the picnic and is again

active rounding up a ball team to play Brother Roberts' team at the Horseshoers' Clam Bake at Avon Beach, Sunday, September 30. Now, come and see Brother Fairberg in action.

Now, speaking of Brother Fairberg, and all due respect to him as a hero, I am sorry to say that he did not pass the examination necessary to join the army. (That means the Kaiser's life is saved for the time being.) But following is a list of the members of Local No. 15 that did pass, and I proudly request that their names be placed on the honor list: Albert White, Wm. Carroll, Alexander Creig, Jack Gillespie, Andrew Lenehan, Joseph Meyers, Frank Morsney, Joseph Oachs and Charles M. Willis. And you can make a sure bet if any of these boys get as far as Germany it is good-bye, Kaiser.

And, of course, losing the above named boys for the time being and a good cause, we were a little short of men here, but at present are about caught up again.

We also lost Brother John Humphries last week as a member of our local, owing to the fact that he took over the shop of Mr. Harry Milner, at No. 807 E. 152nd street. The members of Local No. 15 wish the ex-brother all the success in the world in his new undertaking.

In behalf of Local No. 15 I want to congratulate the boys of Local No. 2, of Baltimore, Md., on their success in getting an advance in wages by the individual request route. Let us hope that they succeed again in the near future at about the same limit, so they can look a horse in the face without shedding

held several conference meetings with the committee from the masters. They absolutely refused to grant the journeymen any increase in wages whatsoever, saying the demands were unreasonable and giving the high cost of material as an excuse, but no word about the high cost of living. The master horseshoers called a special meeting, which was well attended by their members, and when both committees met again the masters offered our committee a proposition to leave the case to the Massachusetts State Board of Arbitration; but this proposition the journeymen at once rejected. We called a special meeting, and our committee made a report of the masters' offer; but the members paid no attention to such an offer as that. All the members of Local No. 5 being present, there was a hot time, and the members could not see any more to be done by our committee, so they decided to strike on Monday morning, October 15th, unless the demands were granted by that time. The secretary of the Masters' Association was at once notified of the stand the journeymen were about to take. The news went over the wire from shop to shop very quick, and the. masters held a special meeting at once and called for a conference with the journeymen, which was held on Saturday evening, October 13th. At this meeting there were some warm debates, and it resulted in the masters making an offer of $23.00 per week for floor men and $24.00 for firemen. This offer the journeymen at once rejected, and finally the masters made an offer of $24.00 per week flat. At a special meeting held on Sunday, October 14th, the committee reported as to the offer the masters had given, and it was after a debate of four hours that the journeymen were held from going out on the following morning, and with an understanding that next May they should receive the full demands of $26.00, but as we did not yet meet the masters, I expect they will have the same old trouble as usual-the high cost of stock.

Brother Marshall, I also wish to state that it was very encouraging to the officers of Local No. 5 to see how the members attended the meetings, as the hall was crowded, and our sergeant-at-arms, Brother Michael Shaughnessy, had one hard job, but he stuck to his post in good shape.

Our annual ball will be held in the Hibernian Building, 184 Dudley street, Friday evening,

Horseshoers of Providence

Have Celebration.

Editor Horseshoers' Magazine:

On August 12 the members of Local No. 30. and their friends gathered at Emery Park for their annual outing and clam bake. Nearly two hundred gathered and things began to look good for a big day of fun and sports. As early as 9 o'clock they started to come, and up to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Luncheon was served at 12:30.

Then came the athletic program. Great rivalry existed among the athletes from Local No. 30 and their visiting brothers. The single men beat the benedicts in a baseball game by a score of 9 to 2. Hugh Maxwell batted for the single men and Alfred G. Smith for the

married men. Two 100-yard dashes were held and special prizes were both won by John A. Barnes, of Local No. 5; but Wm. Hodson, of Local No. 30, ran a close second in each race. The necktie race was won by Brother Dingle. The pipe race was won by Brothers Hodson and Dingle.

Local No. 5 was represented by President James J. Griffin, John Sullivan, Robt. Valentine, and other brothers too numerous to mention. Local No. 14, of Hartford, was represented by Brothers John Brennan, Long and Hurley.

At 4:30 the members and guests sat down and enjoyed one of our Rhode Island famous dinners, where Brother Conroy acted as toastmaster. After making a speech he introduced Brother John J. Brennan, of Hartford, who