davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

DETROIT, Sept l6.-Will the Union tnder
whose jurisdiction Gus. Osborne 10 Atwork
notify Detroit Union to that effect
Yours fraternally,
FELIX A. LEMKIE
Cor. Sec. Union No. 2.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Sept. l5-GeOrgs KasIl
has deposited Retiring Gard with his
Union, issued by Buffalo Union No2. Unians
having charges will prefer within the time %
CURED by law. Edward Volkmsler has made
application for membership.
CHARLES V. N. HUDsON,
Cor Sec. Union SO.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. Is. lS73.-The follow
ing officers were elected Pres, Mahlol
Kline Vice Pres, Jacob Umsteadt /; Sec..
&. Smidt Treas, Geo kerst ; Fin. Sec,
John c. Metzger Cor Sec, Theodore Ebsr-
hardt David Plough deposited his travelling
Card, issued New York, April %, with Union
No. 3, George Levy.
Fraternally Yours.
THEODORE EBERHARDT,
Cor Sec Union No. ).
No. 339 Paramount Avenue.
BURLINGTON, Vermont, Sept. The trav-
cling craft are hereby warned to avoid Bur
hngton, VT, and vicinity a. there is no work
for them. The times are dull hereabouts, and
if tramps will take a timely notice they will
save themselves considerable time and money
Our treasury has been exhausted for some
time, and no money coming in-yOu can inn
agiue our condition. This Union is small,
and it depends on few small shops, and the
members ars getting tired Of making subscrip-
tons to get men out of town, 50 take warn
ing, avoid Burlington, or take the conse-
quences. l remain, fratsrnally yours,
THEODORE JENNINGS,
Cor. Sec. Union II.
JERSEY CITY, August 25.-Local Unions
will please not the change in officers Of Union
No. lOl Pres, Michael Kappers; Vice Pres
Nick Seyler; Treas, Geo. Ziegle Fin Sec,
p, Gill; Door Keeper, John Smith Secre-
taries will please endorse ten dollar fine ON
Joseph Cohens card, he being shop collector,
and a member paying to him two dollars, and
he neglected to pay it into the Union land,
seven dollars for ball tickets.
Fraternally Yours,
RICHARD WOODS,
Rec and Cor Sec, p o. Box 23
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
CHICAGO AGAIN THREATENED BY
THE FIERY FIEND.
The South West section saved BY che WELL
Directed ERerts or the CHIEF and Ms Men

Between half -past two and three o'clock,
Wednesday afternoon, an alarm was sounded
from box 1865. But as there has beer several
large factories burned Of late there was not
much attention paid to the lire at first, except
by the Fire Department 1t was not ali
hour before q second alarm was sounded
from the box. and as the citizens heard it they
knew it meant mischief The wind was OH
the rampage from that ominous quarter the
southwest, and every one began to fear that
"a sss-s- sonaagration would take place, and
perhaps, the scene of October, 1877, would be
enacted. Hardly hal the warning of the
second alarm ceased, before the third,
general alarm, was sounded The fire engines
through the streets to the scene of tbs disas-
ter, and the crowds which had gathered on
the corner Of the streets followed as if by in
stinct II was now apparent to all that
great conftgratIon was impending, and that
the entire west side Of the city was in ini-
nent danger Of being destroyed, and for
several hours the widest excitement pre-
vailed. Al eses and hopes were eentered in
and on the Chief Fire Marshal and his subor-
dinates. and never were hopes better placed
on men satisfactorily realized With Hercu-
lean might they battled with the devouring
element. and only ON one occasion did they
retreat before it. Chief Marshal Benner
with his subordinates, took up their position
again in front Of the tiercest point Of the fire
and with the GOODNESS Of an experienced gen
eral directed the movements II his men The
spectators watched with interest the progress
Of the flames, but they we're soon assured
that the Department had them under control
THE ORIGIN or THE FIRE
There several theories rs to how the
fire commenced, the most probable is that Of
a lady who witnessed Il from an adjoining
dwelling. She states that an engine was
passing on the Z. 3 & q track some sparks
from the chimney was carried by tbs wind to
the roof Of what was, heretofore, tar fac
tory, but il now occupied a store house for
hay, and shortly afterwards smoke was seen
to issue from the roof, and Immediately after
wards box car, loaded with hay. and standing
ON the track east Of Newberry Avenue, was
discovered to be on fire From these two
started the demon that caused 90 much de-
struction.
SEINE or TFR 1IRE
4 The fire originated. as was stated. about il
tas vicirrsss Of Ne--hesrE Avenue and Meagher
streets. and then Travelled east to the inter
section of the Viaduct and Halstead streets,
thence north to the corner OF Wright, where
it's progress was checked ON the west side Of
Halstead street. Ii crossed from the west
side Of Halstead to east side, at the corner of
Meaghsr street, and thence north to the mid.
die Of Barber and Mitchell streets, taking in
its NOW more than hall block east
The loss is estimated at s2OO, 90. and falls
principally upon poor people, most Of whom
are homeless, and have st all they possessed
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
FROM ILLINOIS.
BElLsymLt. st. Clair Count,

BELLsyILLE, st Clair County,
september ILL., 1878
~. N.Y. Fai..r - *, ,,eRsrsaxA>'- ADVOCATE.
DEAR SIR As IL has been some time
SINCE / wrote yuu before and the prom
,..d Ut u write often, trust you will
all,, ne a small space in the ADvo' ATE
oar county Far is numbered with the
past. T. was very largely attended, and
was a success IN all respects There was a
lively contest the last day for the ninety
dollars for the best baby. There We're
some thirty-fou entries, and the prize was
taken ny httle girl daugh vi a widow
woman from Chester, IN this State The
nail mill which, has been IDLE for two
months. vilI start next week. when it viii
run steady tur The winter This mill has
been very successful in is operations.
The coal mines have been rather slow
for some time, and over rev dcd with men.
This IS partly owing % the operators adj
yertlscIug, m various parts, for men. when
they have no work for those they have,
ann lu order to couuteract this movement
try Miners mon have instructed john
Morgan. District President, a. PRINT hand
hIS. ana circulate them through the varI-
aus STATES There appears 20 be 'rrIng
among some of the operators to have
another suspension. IN order t. sell their
stock of cuaL hut sn tar A. We can asc-r-
tiu. the miners are determined not to
strike AM s. forced .u IT,
Hayiu- received several inquiries A. to
tAe effect ~ the mining .lN passed IN lo,2,
Ne NIl here say that SEQ 't said Act
constitutes Jhe County Surveyor .r 0Tc.9
Inspector NJ Mines m their respective couu-
ties. whose duty 10 shall VS. w. sail ~ their
aid some reputable practical miner, both
ii whom must re sworn Is faithfully dis
charge the duties imposed on them by law.
Their salaries are fixed by the County
Board rot u exceed i've dollars per day.
for one Inspector each year. llv miners
Of this county undertook q recommend a
miner foe that position, and IN consequence
of which your humble servant Vas ap
pOiuted to that office, and We think that
miners in various counties should adopt
the same system We cry much regret u
tud several counties treating this matter
with Indifference, Is If the question Of
their health. and protection Of their val
liable lives. was oi no moment t. them.
Fellow miners remember that this law de-
ponds On you for its enforcement. Re
member also. that the Law IS not what Is
required, ami Z not what it ought 70 be,
but can b IT ypU make a united effort
t. bring the question before our Law
makers remember. also that the mine
inspectors have tO make their annual report
this year frum the various counties as e.
the effect ami operation Of the law Ia their
counties and what amendments they think
necessary u ~ made and that any person
desiring 4 copy W the Law can have one by
..Icluslug tive cents And nov, Mr.. Edl-
tor, II sou don't get mad we Will write
again. anna let you know how the miners Of
st. CLAIR county are. Respectfully yours,
W l. OWENS,
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

draw il for purchasing real estate, or use II
for improving their property.
This Bank does no commercial business. II
is Savings Bank" only. Az the profits.
after paying the expenses, and after ascumn-
lating Reserve Fund. are going to the do
positOrsint the shape Of extra dividends. besides
the ak per cent. annual interest guaranteed,
there ia no inducsmsnt left to the Manager
of this Bank to run undue risks in loaning its
funds
Mr.. B. W. Phillips, the President, was for
msrly the Cashier Of the Csdiz Branch Bank
Ut the State Bank Of Ohio. He is an expert
enced Bank officer, and well known to the
people of Chicago a successful Fire Insur
snce underwater. Mr.. Carl r. w. Junge,
the Treasurer, was, for number Of years,
Cashier Of one Of our leading National Banks.
he has been before the public as financial
mtn since 1855. He enjoys the confidence
and respect Of his fellow men in a high de-
gre
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

o'Hara, Ora /presidsa Of IT, ..N'ng
mens Benz fent ap-' r. -sctlVe Union o.
the State M,r''s"" Vas present and
Addresse NJ .atinS in a few well timed
and 81, ,Ie,l <emarAs which were received
with /.mded applause
Our uNIoN,
an f-,ud to say, is in fiourishing cop.
iitior. numbering about two hundred md
n'ty members, and at our regular. meet
ms, whr.h takes place every Thursday
ev,niG Ne initiate from SIX - eight new
menierS We expect, before great
many 6enths roll over our heads 10
50 FL UUR RANKS TO 1--WE HUNDRED
ana mIre, We are located IN a lumber
region where We are aroused from our
slunLsrs about tive clock in the morning
by the shrlll screech of the mill whistle
We swAlioS haSty breakfast, and then
AurIy Oft V keep pace with the busy wheel
q the machinery for
rWElVE LONG HOURS.
Az this as MIA l. expected from day o.
4 ''.he men ho are toillng tur "a, els
TatiohA Il otfserN, until poor tired humanity
Is unable 70 dag itself e. it. cherries
home. Oh Why are the workmEmen
Of this land 81 bland IL their own interest
Why do they not rise ia body A. one
man, and redress their wrongs. Th ~ are
thus compelled To suffer that few may
live m luxury Why mot organic through
out the land and say e. the monopolists Of
the nation that their race IS run, and that
they must fall from the giddy height he!
have attained through the power Of money
and special legislation Yours, etc,
II RI Il.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
FROM MICHIGAN.


WEST CAsco, sept 7, 1873.
IT, The Editor " lie AosENsNAS. AU,ocAH-
| was much grathri IL See your com
ments vs. the d graceful action Of the
Jacques Cartier Typographical Union Of
Montreal IN submitting their Constitution
to the revision If q p,,est, and nbsequlols-
ly d,japtng his dirtdioas. Religion IS
now, as IL ever has been. a strong motive T.
action. and rs teachers have always posses
sed great influence and power IN the com
munity and that power and influence has
been invariably abused, whore it has been
possessed for any length Of time by one
denomination, and prostitnted To the worst
purposes. More oppression, more cold
blooded cruelty has been perpetrated at
the instIgation Of priests, than from any
other cause probably from all other
capses put together in the history Of loan.
Laborers may as well understand in the
beginning, that their efforts for the reform
Of social u5ages for stopping legal robbery,
and oppression, class legislation, monopoly,
j.. fine, every form Of public, legal theft,
ar1 corruption and the elevation Of them
selves and their vocation, will be resisted
AT every point by the clergy, especially the
dlgntarles, who will bring their whole IN
tnence t. bear against it, IN ways and
modes the laborer little dream Of They
are adopts in deceptive Discrimination and
intrigue. and the more smooth words they
give you, the more certain you may be that
they are some how cutting your throat
yet 1t IS a sad mistake for a rsformer to lg-
more religion, and the power OF the rell-
gious feeling True religion IS the reform
er's best and most powerful friend. TIE re-
hgion Of Jesus and his immediate disciples
in its core, its essence, its life blood, its VI
talIrY, its use and value to humanity, was
selfdsnial fer the sake OF others, self-sa
zee tN others welfare but the teaching
OF JesuA was soon manipulated by the cum
ming, lazA luxury loving priest, and made
TO mean IA practice the sacrifice Of others
for the sensNl enioyments Of self
lnvariablyN il the case, that where the
influence OF IN clergy is the greatest, the
country Is the Ihpst wretched, the people
most ignorant, dApased, vicious and worth
less. SPAN and Mexico exhibit the fruits
Of priestly InhaenceNand priestly knavery.
Rome, once the mlstreSpf the world. when
brought under clerical do>aination, OWN
died to nothing u strength, Md exhibited
population more brutal in Sxnorance.
morse bestiAl IN appetite, more utterly des-
titute of any and every ennobling sNoti-
mcnt, than any Fty Of Europe, not exceat-
ing the Turks and no where on Gods
earth, no, not among the Thugs of India,
was assassinatlNa, that cowardly crime. so
prevalent as in2ome, that city of priests.
So blightingsnd withering, 50 utterly
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
GIG \ II BOA II DIS.

The above Illustration of Cigar Board, for which
Office by l.. l. Bedortha,
Windsor, Conn.,
The Blocks, with the end Of the
grain together with three bolts The bolts
perfects. ssbiIty for them
Of place. They can be frightened at
any time by turning the nuts the end
They made from best hard maple, thoroughly
an filled with oil and Varnish.
size not less thar 9x and inches thick.
u tgOARDS EMPRESS az
sen ~ FOR PRIC r. LIST.
WGRWrHFtsrcd sold by
Ii BED0rT1A WINDSOR. CONN.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

ATTENTION TAILoRs. mass meeting Of
the Journeymen Tailors Of this city will be
held at IS and 20 West Lake street, on Sun
day afternoon. 1t is to be hoped that every
iourneyman Tailor in the city win be in at
tendence, as matters Of great Importance to
the trade will be brought before the meeting
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

State Of Hyiaoi8, County W Co,k. tily yt
Chicago
nc. 4 Hotchkiss Citv ClyrH W try tit, uttA..axr,
do hereby certify that tine Ches savings iusl,-uvu
ard Trust Company have heI, Va tie office .i lur ti.y
CLERK 81 the City III NbuSgy, Statement Hr .ha Htn
diLson If SAM institution The alst IsT % De-
Der q each u the years 1870. 49, ava l-.- i.as-
u For The year $50, Hled J-Nlar, Y. isil t.r
the year ISL Eled January -3, l-fF ad f.r Joe rr.s
1872 filed February 3 l,i8. lp;-tr- iHr HEH aa
dOrsements tae said do uluuut-. uN~ eH nIy ur
office.
lsEAL Nitnss, my haEd. ana ti.- e.-+nr.tc a.l No
said City, tins l2th day uf ssI.t.. l-.a. l-d
e. q HuIeHkiSe. Uirs tIefk
srArE uF lLlN,#S.
AJ-.IHh- pFyI.
spKiSGFIu. sept l. o. 1873.
l. Charles 4. LppIueott, Auditor w llltOc Arsvnnt.
% the state 81 Illinois, du hereby ueruIy tl-l Vie
Chicago Savings Institution and Trust company hs-
filed in this Office statements 10 tht condition at eu
institution, the 5lst day 20 December "a uA.l M tht
years. $50, ISL and ls12, IS follows, g. Nt FaT ne
year 1870 filed January lcl, iJr the rar l- l. het
January q 1872 and fur the year lsl-. hei urulr
T. ISIS appears from the cudor>, u,L- va -hv sew
sral statements lie iu. ana ilriu4n. part ~
the record " tins uffice.
IsnAL. IL testimony whereof : hgreIutu subscribe
my name and affx the seal ui nay oscs A. Springfield
the DAY and year first above written.
Signed,
q. r. LmrNcurI
H A
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

All communications intended to reach the
international Secretary should he addressed
to f. J. Cox, drawer ", Binghamton n Y.
Communications to the international Ex-
ecutive Board must be addressed to wv j.
CANNON, International President. drawer A.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Particular attention ~ Unions il called to
the law relating to Quarterly reports, a.
regards capita tax and striking fund. tSee
Art VII, Sec. |, international Constitution
The Executive Board viii strictly enforce the
lsw % all delinquents
By order Of the Int. EY Board
Z. J. Cox, Int. Secy
Drawer -, Binghamton, T. Y.
HEADsrAHrEss
CaAR MAEERs INr USIox
BIyaHAxToS, ~ Sept. IS. ls7s
Highly important to Cigar Nakers.
GENTLEMEN The blanks for quarterly
reports q capita tai and striking fund have
been tins LAY mailed to the different local
unions II becomes my duty to announce
that local unions IRE IN arrears in their capita
tax. some having jailed to send either report
OF tax. while others have sent their report
but failed 70 renlt he amount Of tar accord
ing to law. ! am instructed hy the executive
board to insist lpuu a strict compliance with
the international law See Art VII, See. |,
International Constitution All unions will
therefore see the Necessity al sauaring them
selves on the books AZ the end IT the present
quarter, ending sept 80. Any information
in regard to the standing of your respective
unions, will be cheerfully furnished upon ap-
plication.
| would also request unions in sending re-
ports Of striking fund to be particular and
send the amount ~ fund on hand at the end
of the present quarter
+. J. Cox,
Int. Sec'y, drawer y.
Prom Local Unions
ITHACA. n. Y, sept IL. 1873 At a reg
ular meeting Of union No. IL. held Thursday
evening. Sept. 4, 1873. the following named
members were elected officers for the ensuing
term President, Henry Townley Vice
President, Albert Niver. Treasurer, J. w.
Norton Financial Secretary. Harry F. Jones;
Recording Secretary, Charles Ribble Cores
ponding Secretary, James Faulkner, p. o.
box 522, Ithaca, \. Y.
LAFAYETTE, Ind, Sept IL Henry Bacon
and JOS. Screoder have made application to
become members Of this union
Par Bowers,
Cor Sec, box Il6.
JAcKsoNvILLE, ILL.,. Sept. 10. lS73.-C. w.
Alday has made application to become MEM
Der Of this unlon. He claims to have come
from Dayton, Ohio. r. A. ORNELLAs,
Cor Sec. Union ia.
OMAHA, Neb.. Sept IA, lS73-J w. st.
Clair, hailing from New York, has made ap-
plication for membership.
g JOIN THOMAS, cor. SEQ
RALuMoRE, sept IL, 1879. john
Brown and John Schulz have made applica-
ton to become members Of this union both
claim to have come from Philadelphia, aud
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
TIE CIGAR MAKERS.

Ry vii unions desiring changes ne addresses Of
corresponding ~etrstar~ please -t1e the name of the
fsrner secr-tarN-
The fsileaIn. uefs,n, haze male publications for
membership iu TIE ~etv rsl uni1t- AM union having
charge e. -t-r a.l forward them within 'hiFt, days
from the q sfr 20 apuiiJlt'',r.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

tLENFLaNu. sept. 10, 1873.
To mt kEFKE>ENTAffVE- - THE N1.TH
SESSION W rHU T. u / J-G.sii,a,ea 1t
i vi.h sincere -ret that inform you 81
THE death NJ Mr. DAVID shelter Representa-
tive tr1m Nrwhur. DniDu. which took place
at Buffalo. n D.. While VI his way home
from tie Convention. Ia his death our craft
has lost an esteemed ami honoTed member
one who, Us ms uniform integrity and kind
ness. had won him hosts ~ friends. and who
had endeared himself 20 all VINO had the
pleasure Of his acquaintance
NN y tANNoN.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
international President

CLE,EL o., sept II. 1873.
70 Mr George Nu'z. cor Sec Union 81
pENg SIR You submit the question ''ls
a local union compelled, 1T a man COMES from
Be- gum with Belgian card. 70 take him IN
their union free 90 the initiation Tee -
ANSWER. Yes, provided that four months
shall not have interviewed between the date u
its issue and its acceptance by a local union.
See Art NJ. Sec 3. Int Con
ours fraternallv.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

The Brass FINIsHERs' UNION met atltheir
usual time and place This is small union,
but in proportion to the number employed at
the business
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

THE CHICAGO SAVINGS INSTITUTION ANp
TRUST COMPANY. n. w. corner Dearborn d
Madison streets, IL the only Bank at present
in this city working after the plan Of the New
England Savings Banks, which are the strong
sat Banks in the country. The total amount
received in this Bank, from July 1870 to July
1873 W. three years was 81, 2o4, 1871. On
deposit July |, 1873, sl33, OF &C. Paid back,
o. l6l. 1878 This proves that this Institu-
ton, which is only Savings Bank, has been
well patronizsd by the public.
The amounts placed on deposit range from
one dollar 81 .OO to twelve thousand dollars.
(sl2, OO0,l by single depositor The num-
Der Of accounts opened during the three years
were 2,224. The Bank makes annual state
nents to the State and City authorities Of
Chicago. The Board Of Trustees il composed
of well known and highly respected men Of
all classes and naticualities The monthly
financial statement book 10 open during Bank
hours for the inspection Of the dspositors.
Total amount received to December 81, 1870,
SOS, 1888 "A, with 367 acc cunts; to December 81
1871, 1851, 1925, with l, l05 accounts in
crease of accounts 73s. To December 81, 1872,
81, OO4, pa 50, with l,s75 accounts increase
Of accounts, 40. On September l, 1878, the
total amount OF deposits reached o., 40I, 242.
"A, with 2, 1856 accounts increase Of accounts,
$50. Six per cent. interest are paid from
day Of deposit, provided the money remains
one month on deposit Many dspositors,
when their dsposits reach $500 ersl, 900 with
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

The JoURNEYMEN fLAsTERERs held their
Dearborn street, on Tuesday night Of last
week. The meeting was shmly attended,
though those present are amply sufficient to
keep up the Union, and are determined to do
so, knowing and feeling, from experience,
shat the time will come when its efficient aid
required and the old members will return to
former love
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

THE STONE CUTTERS ASSOCIATION The
condition Of trade in this department still
continues to improve. but as yet it can hardly
be said to be good Work is more plentiful
than it was in the spring or summer months,
and wages are gradually increasing. At the
last regular meeting the following officers
were elected for the ensuing term President,
Arch'd Henderson Vice President, e. Tail.
Ter, reelected Recording Secretary, William
U'Brier. ex-elected Financial Secretary. A.
Mulligan, selected. The new officers Will
be installed at the next regular monthly
meeting.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
meeting.

PUBLIC NIoHT ScHOoL.-We would call
the especial attention Of our readers
to the advertisement Of the Evening
Public School, in our advertising columns
Parents, whose necessities COMPEL them to
place their children in stores az srrand
boys, and in factories to learn trades, ought
to avail themse yes Of this opportunity.
and make their children attend the night
school More Of the youths Of our city are
led into idleness and dissipation through their
being allowed to run at large 10 the streets at
night, than from any other cause. Noparent.
who has proper regard for the future Of his
child, will allow this oppOrtuI ~ to pass
The schools will open on Monday evening,
and We sincerely hope they may be well
attended.
The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20

X D. ). The Sans Won Hagan Lodge
Of the Knights Of st. Crispin held their regu-
Lar monthly meeting on the first Monday in
the month The report Of the financial con
dition of the Lodge to be in good order, and
membership to be increasing. Several new
members were initiated at their last meeting
ftzz Easl.=h IedsA -Na--ls il also IN good
working order, having . good membership
and wsll-tlled purse. No Is expects 70 in
crease their membership this fall. Trade is
dull for this time of the year