United labor bulletin., 1913-06-21
THE OPTIMISTIC
PHILOSOPHER


When his plans have gone astray,
And his hopes have slipped away,
And he's standing at the crossroads
Wondering which one to take,
That's the time to grab his hand
And to make him understand
That he's grieving over trifles
And his worries aren't worth while,
That's the time to slap his back
With good old friendly whack,
That's the time he needs your friend
ship
And the time he wants your smile.
When he's down deep in the dumps,
And has known life's rocky bumps,
When he's got the kill-joy notion
That his work no longer counts;
That's the time word of cheer
Sweetly whispered in his ear
Sets the heart of him to beating
Till his spirit proudly mounts,
That's the time a glad "Hello!"
Means far more than you may know,
That's the time a sign of friendship
Really does a brother good:
That's the time word of praise
Lifts fellow up for days,
Sends him on his way rejoicing;
That's the time for brotherhood.
o @ O
Otto Thum Commissioner of Prop
perty, is the most frankly outspoken
member of the new city council.
Thum has no strings tied to him by
corporate or other interests, and does
not hesitate to declare himself upon
matters that come before the munich
pal legislative body. He gained his
experience by rough knocks in the
printing business and continues to at
tend every meeting of Denver Typo
graphical Union, paying monthly dues
as though working at the trade, and
participates in debates at the union
meetings. Thum had practically the
unanimous support of working people
at the last election and came under
the wire a winner by a big vote.
Neither has he forgotten organized
labor since being installed into office,
for the chiefs and assistants Of near
ly all his departments are union men
and women. This has brought criti-
cism from some Of the non-union
employing corporations, but this does
not worry Otto In the least
@ @ @
John Franklin Bedford, Recording
and Corresponding Secretary of Den
yer Trades and Labor Assembly, has
been the man reliable" of that or
ganization for years. Other men have
been on the job for a term or part OF
term, but always the delegates bark
back to John Franklin when emer-
gencies arise. He is the best known
central labor body secretary in this
western country, and always makes
good His courtesy and strict appli-
cation to duty has made him almost
an institution in the local labor move
ment. Bedford is a member of the
BARRIERS Union, and has represented
that organization in the Assembly be-
yond the memory of most members
now there. He has seen the factions
clash in wordy battle and again the
atmosphere of peace becalm the dele
gates to lethorgy-but though 1t all
]. F. B., has been serene. While on
most occasions the position of secre-
tary has come to him unsought, he
has announced that he will be a candi-
date for reelection next month.
O @ @
Cornelius Ford OF Hoboken. N. ].
who has been appointed government
printer by President Wilson, has a
fine record as a union labor man. He
is now actively working at the print
ing trade. He has been prominent for
many years in the organized labor
movement in New Jersey, especially
SO as president of the State Fedora
ton of Labor for the last ten years.
He has also served three terms in the
StSate legislature and exercised his
influence in the direction OF having
adopted legislation progressive in
character. Ford was born in Hobo
ken in 1867 and graduated from the
Hoboken High School, and immede,
ately entered the printing trade and
has been working at the business for
thirty years. He was formerly men,
ber OF the Hoboken Board Of Educa-
ton for four years, and has always
taken an active part in any movement
for the social uplift. Ford is consid-
cred to be eminently qualified to con-
duct the affairs of the big printery.
He succeeds Samuel B. Downelly OF
New York, former president Of the In
ternational Typographical Union.