ance every meeting. Our Division officers are to be commended for what they are doing toward building up the Order. Division 186 has from three to six applications and from one to two initiations every meeting. I think every conductor on the S. N. A. & B. M. and A. M. divisions who is eligible either belongs or has in his application. I was not present at the last meeting, but I am told there were sixty-two members present. I think that is pretty good for the boys who are running as they are now. I am unable to attend meetings regularly, as I am on one of the sky runs, as the boys call it. As Birmingham is only a flag station for us we can attend meeting only when the meeting day happens to fall on our lay over day, which may happen once in three months. The meeting that I attended there were about thirty or thirty-five present and I must say that I enjoyed it better than any thing I have been been up against in a long time. We had two new Brothers to ride the goat. After this and the other business was disposed of Brothers Tom Hobart and W. K. Atkinson each made a splendid talk on the Good of the Order, which was highly appreciated by all present. Since then I can see already some good coming from those talks. I would be glad if every member could come to these meetings with something to say for the good of the Order. If it is but a few words it will do some good. I would like to read something from our correspondent from Division 186 if he is not in the back shop track. Decatur, Ala. BOOTS.

Editor Railway Conductor:

I have been reading THE CONDUCTOR for a long time, but I always fail to see Division 263 appear in its columns. We have a large membership. We are laying very still, especially when we go to meetings, but there seems to be a good bit of chewing out on the road. When they go to meeting there isn't a word said. All seem satisfied. Now, Brothers, you can talk about double headers, but that isn't in it with us. We have what is known as triple iheaders, three engines for forty-six miles up the hill, at night the most of the time, too. All engines on front of train, five or six cars apart, with about 100 or 115 cars and sometimes we have twenty-six sidings to work after night. We run 78 miles for a day, and sometimes it takes us twenty hours to make the run. We get $2.75 for twelve hours and thirty minutes. We run for thirty miles by the side of the B. & O. railroad, and they get $3.24 for ten hours, and don't have scarcely any work to do. Now tell me what road beats our road? We haven't a man on the road capable of running a train who isn't either an O. R. C. or a B. of R. T. We have forty-three engines on the road. We tried to get a schedule with the officials two years ago, but they gave us the bluff properly, and since that some of us are afraid to go to the office after our checks when pay day comes. Now, Brothers, it takes a conductor to run double header, but what does it take to run a triple, with three green brakemen some times? We have about twenty-four members on the W.

& C. Railroad. I don't see why we can't get some satisfaction here as well as men in other places. Some times one or two of our conduc tors get so disgusted that they jump the job and go some place else. Now, that isn't the way to do. I think, for my part, we ought to stay and make it a little better. I don't see why we can't. What we want to do is to get together. We are human beings, and I don't know why we should not be treated that way. Some times I am so mad when I get a work order at the junction I am almost tempted to leave my train and go home, and if it wasn't for my family I would have done it long ago. Now, wake up, Brothers, and quit that kicking along the road and come to meeting and do some of it there and it will amount to a little more. Now, Brothers, I think our law is a very bad one that makes a man run a train 315 days outside of yard limits before he is eligible to membership. I hope we will get another set of delegates at Pittsburg and change it, for when a man runs a train I think he is a conductor. I might be wrong; lets hear from some one else. A TRIPLE HEADER. Cumberland, Md.

Editor Railway Conductor:

At a regular meeting in Februry we endorsed the following bills now pending before congress: Senate Bill No. 3560, by Foraker of the Senate, a bill to amend an act entitled "an act to promote the safety of employes and travelers upon railroads by compelling common carriers engaged in interstate commerce to equip their cars with automatic couplers and continuous brakes and their locomotives with wheel brakes." and for other purposes approved March 2, 1893, and amended April 1, 1896. We also endorsed House Roll 11060, "a bill to limit the meaning of the word conspiracy and the use of restraining orders and injunctions in certain cases," by Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio. Also at a regular meeting in February endorsed the same bill by Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, and sent the chairman of committee on judiciary. Senator Hoar, a forcible set of resolutions, requesting the committee to recommend the pas sage of the bill in the United States Senate, which was done. I will say to all Brothers the bill will be passed. Our legislative committee sent a set of resolutions to the chairman on judiciary requesting the committee to recommend the passage of the bill in the house of representatives. Now Brothers, I hope that all Divisions in the United States will request their congressmen and senators to vote for the following bills: H. R. 11060, H. R. 11059 and Senate 3560, also endorse the Chinese Exclusion Act, and have printed on all our banners the following motto: "We will stand by those lawmakers in the 57th congress who stood by us," and let the people know that labor demands equal rights with our brother capitalists and railroad owners. And when they know our motto and that we mean every word in it, which is, stand by those who stood by us, we can get equal rights, and we ask for no more. We are fair and faithful to our employer and mean to accord fair treatment to

the patrons of the several roads we are working for.

A bill passed the senate creating a department of labor and commerce, and will have a cabinet officer to represent that double-headed department. Praise God! the lion and the lamb are going to dine at the same table. Brothers, that bill, when signed by President Roosevelt, will have the blessing of every toiler in our fair land, from Portland, Maine, to the Philippine Islands, and from Porto Rico to Alaska. Brothers, the days of strikes and lockouts have gone by. We read in the press dispatches about that great meeting in New York last week of the labor leaders and the leading moneyed men and business men, also that God-fearing man and friend of labor was there-Archbishop Ireland, of St. Paul, Minn. They, one and all, voted for harmony and arbitration to settle all labor differences between the employe and employer and voted for the Chinese Exclusion Act now pending before congress.

In answer to Frank Gallagher, of Hinton, W. Va., as to what he writes in regard to the several states he mentions, his defence is entirely foreign to the subject, and also the object of moving the headquarters of the O. R. C. from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Washington, D. C. Our reason is the same as the federated trades, with their voting strength of one million and a half. According to the latest report of President Gompers the capital city of our great American Republic should be the headquarters of all labor organizations. This location affords quick communication with all labor leaders in case of emergency, and where men can meet in person, understanding each other in regard to legislation, and if necessary could bring the full force of all labor organizations on a committee at the capital at any and all times. If all railroad organizations were centered here in Washingington that would complete the full power of all labor in this city. In regard to expense, we own no property in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hence we can rent here as cheap as there; then if it should come to pass that the B. of. L. E., B. of L. F., B. R. T. and O. R. T. coucluded to move here with us, which I expect them to do, they could easily build a building jointly and save rent. Then, Brothers, if we should be compelled to show our strength against railroads our Grand Officers would not have to contend with any state officers.

In regard to government ownership, C. D. Hains, a millionaire and railroad owner, says that it is only a question of a few years until the government will own the railroads by purchasing them and paying a fair price for them. I believe the owners of railroads would rather clip government coupons of their check book than to fight the people and the government any longer.

We are going to have the grandest union stations in Washington there is in the whole world. The plans are already drawn and work will commence this summer some time. We have laid plans for a grand first-of-May ball. All Divisions will get an invitation, with a

beautiful engraving of the capitol and grounds. The Brothers of 378 are planning for a grand reunion on May-day. J. DWYER. Washington, D, C.

Editor Railway Conductor:

The middle section of the sunny south has turned to a veritable snow bank. We wouldn't mind being a boy for just a day or two and to indulge in throwing juicy coldness at the neighbor boys and girls, though we decide that winter must be near the breaking point, as we see Brother Frank Talleferoe headed for the northwest, which we take as almost a sure sign. For the information of those who may care to learn of the financial and numerical condition of Division 139, we rent by the year and furnish our own hall and sub-rent it to several other lodges, which may later on prove a source of revenue for 139. The inroads on the finances of our treasury during the past year are alarming, though we expect to outgrow it in a manner. Brother J. W. Beathard, our retiring S. and T., did fine work in collecting all of 1901 dues, etc., and if these obligations, weighted with more or less moral responsibility, would cease we might yet end this new year with another good fat treasury. We have now 102 members, with yet some more good workable timber. We will send our goat south to feast on a Florida rose patch as a reward for his faithful work of the last year.

What's the matter with the calamity howlers who were formerly worrying about there being so many O. R. C. men out of work? The idler in railroad lines, at least those who are willing to work, are few indeed. Freight business on Knoxville division of Southern Ry. is heavy, while Salisbury, Charlotte and Spartanbury yards are blocked with cars which come in excess of the usual business.

Brother J. N. Mooney is off his run on account of the illness and death of his father. We learn with pleasure that Brother W. F. Early, who has been off sick for some time, is now improving. Brother Jno. Moore is also improving and we hope to be able to report all these still improving in our next. With best wishes for all O. R. C. people and their families. DUPLEX. Knoxville, Tenn.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Division 354 is now moving along in a much more encouraging manner to all. The attendance is showing up in a way that we are convinced of the fact that our members are beginning to realize it won't do to stay at home on meeting day when they have a chance to attend. We have had good meetings of late and initiated Conductor Harbaugh. Stick to the O. R. C., Brother H. She is a grand old ship. We have some other applications to act on in our next meeting and hope for more.

Business on the W. M. is flourishing. Boys are all doing well-much better than we folks on the N. & W. The motive power men do very well on the N. & W., but train men don't do so

well, as it takes two engineers to one conductor on each train. They double-head all trains except passenger and locals.

I saw a question in our last journal which refers to the hot journal business. I do not approve of using dry woolen waste. I do not believe in throwing away the waste found in hot boxes unless it has been in service too long and is crumbly, sandy or has been burned or crusted. A man can tell, as a rule, if the box is running hot from being allowed to run too long without oiling or from loading of car being improperly distributed. The latter will very readily cause hot journals. In case of the first I clean the box of all old packing and give it a thorough packing with well saturated woolen waste. I remove all good waste, but use the good portion of it again. I some times see men tackle a hot box by cleaning it out thoroughly and packing in green woolen waste and oil until they cannot get another bit in, using all their strength to fill it to its utmost capacity. The result is they soon stop again on account of that same box. They repeat the same operation again and again until their supply of packing is exhausted. Then they set the car off. I only put in sufficient amount of waste well saturated with oil, and I think a sufficient amount is when the packing is up flush with the side of brass. We don't use any grease on the N. & W. except the common black lubricating oil. It is better than polar grease. I may get Brother Wibberly on the N. & W. to say something on the hot box question. He would be a trump on that question I know. T. B. DAVIS.

Hagerstown, Md.

Editor Railway Conductor:

Division 343 takes an interest in the subject of immigration. We believe that the standard of immigrants should be raised and that illiterate and undesirable pauper laborers should be denied the privilege of coming to our shores. The following letter has been sent by our Division to our congressman and our senators:

Dear Sir-That the question of pauper labor and illiterate immigrants flocking to this country is one that vitally interests every citizen, and especially the laboring people, is no longer a doubt. Although they have been slow heretofore in expressing opinions, and have been dillatory in action as well, the time has now come when every laboring man, woman and child stands face to face with the facts, and the question now is do we, or do we not want this pauper and illiterate element cast on our shores to be thrown among us and our families, compelling us to accept smaller wages and longer hours of service, or the other alternative, walk the streets, having, on acount of conditions here spoken of, been compelled to surrender our jobs?

This is a question of vast importance, and I have stated heretofore, vitally interests us all.

The first important step as understood by us is that the Chinese Exclusion Law be not allowed to lapse.

Second, that the flood of undesirable immi

grants from other countries be also restricted to the extent that will meet with the approval of the thinking people of the United States and receive the sanction of our congress. For example, Asiatic, Eastern and southern Europeans.

The records show that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1901, 137,807 Italians alone came to this country, and of this number 61,615 were illiterate, inasmuch as they could not read' or write.

An educational test seems the best to us, (although there may be better ways known to you, having certain features that will answer better but it appears to us that where a man can read and write he is in a fit condition then, and then only, to understand our principles and attainments as laborers. It will elevate the foreign element to the extent of learning to read and write before attempting to land in this country, and we believe that under those conditions the battle is half fought.

Of course humanity would not compel a man to leave behind him his family of dependents, and we do not ask for such legislation.

Take, for instance, the man who cannot read and write and exclude or forbid him the hospitality of this free and enlightened country and he will soon learn that this is not the place for ignorant and illiterate paupers. Likewise, transportation companies and contractors who deal in this element will find that such is no longer available and will cease in their prac tices.

We humbly submit this to you with the accompanying resolution and ask you as a representative of the state of Nebraska to give it what consideration you can.

RESOLUTION.

Whereas, The immigration of cheap labor from the south and east of Europe is a menace to the American standard of living and is one of the greatest obstacles to the raising of wages and the shortening of the hours of American working men; and,

Whereas, An educational test offers the only practical and effective restriction of such immigration.

Resolved, That the Order of Railway Conduc tors, Blue Valley Division No. 343, at Fairbury, Nebraska, respectfully petitions the Congress of the United States to pass a law at its present session forbidding the immigration of persons, other than wives and children, who cannot read. V. H. HOGELBARGER.

created consternation in the ranks of the state law-makers, when he appealed to that body to sustain his course by annulling the charter of the corporation that had thus cloaked the cloven foot. The action of the attorney general was spontaneous, and threw the responsibility where it was not expected. The legislature took up the question and discussed it for several days and finally passed a compromise, which will allow the Virginia-Carolina to do business as of yore, and we will hear very little of those grinding combinations until the next campaign, when the aspirants for legislative honors will appear before the dear people and tell them how the heartless corporation should be eliminated, and how we will do this if elected, etc., etc. It took this body over a day, or about $5,000.00 expense to the state, to require railroad companies to place cuspidors in the coaches, but when a question in which there were millions for the farmers, the mountain labored for days and finally produced a mouse.

Mr. Johnson's speech was timely and conclusive. He showed that the anti-trust laws were practically ineffective and wholly inadequate to remedy the evils of trusts growing out of the constant combination and amalgamation of rival interests for the sole purpose of stiffling competition. He referred to the great prints combine at Fall River, the manufacturing center of the United States. Before the combine they bought our cotton (1898) at 8c per pound and sold the cloth at 3c per yard. Cotton declined to 4 1-2c per pound and was bought by the same trust and manufactured into print cloths and was sold to jobbers at 5c per yard. Besides the principle, monopoly is vicious, dangerous and intolerable, to say nothing of extortion.

The improved appearance of THE CONDUCTOR for January shows that the management are abreast with the times, and reminds us that the contents are also of an improved character. They do not confine one to local reading, which is sometimes dry and uninteresting unless one is familiar with the conditions. Naturally the local references are intended for local entertainments, and, of course, only those interested can appreciate the articles. But when it is remembered that these articles are of an entirely amateur nature they sometimes read as if produced by a professional, showing care and desire to produce something that will entertain the heterogeneous readers of the present CONDUCTOR. We particularly enjoyed the articles of Brothers P. A. McDaniel and Veritas. While not in accord with all they advocate, we nevertheless admire the ability and determination to produce an article that throws light on their ideas and illustrates so thoroughly the principles they advocate. We endorse unqualifiedly the able letter of Brother G. M. Waldron of Division 103. It is evidence of that character that will soon make our Brothers look before they leap. We know cases in which young conductors with glittering generalities have been rushed over older and equally competent men. In the rush their young heads were filled with their greatness, and they fell to rise again, and are now wiser and better men. We also admire the editorial to "Avoid

Personal Favoritism," and trust every Brother will read it carefully and give it thought, especially the reference to "gratify self, etc." It is along this line we have advocated persistently. While not familiar with committee work, we recommended that principle of keeping capable men in position, even as delegates, for with the knowledge gained at the Grand Division it would revert to his advantage later when he was thrown in a position in which his ability would be tested.

We have had a rush of business at our Division meetings for some time, and ventured the hope that our direlect Brothers had seen the "error of his ways," but the hope was a delusion and we have dropped back to our former attitude and are occupying the same position that suits the majority; and they tell us that they have seen where the salary of men on some of the large systems have been advanced, and wonder why we cannot be so fortunate, but the same Brothers never attend our meetings, thereby trying to help themselves, and we have concluded to help them wait, feeling, Micawber-like, that if anything turns up we will fall heir to our portion, and in the interim we will drag along and find fault with our officers, who are a conservative and conscientious body that do a considerable to satisfy and gratify their employes, who would not be satisfied if they had the world -would want it fenced. LAFAYETTE. Wilmington, N. C.

Editor Railway Conductor:

In reading the December CONDUCTOR I was pleased to see that socialism is receiving a good deal of attention from the Brothers, and in expressing my pleasure I do not overlook the fact that many are unfavorably disposed towards the same. Two contributions especially attracted me, namely those of Romance and Howard Leach, respectively. In regard to Romance's idea of government ownership of railways I must say that I agree with him, namely, along political lines, but I must disagree with him as to the results that would follow the adoption of the measure. He says, "It would be bad for organized labor by making peons of the members and depriving them of the power to resign if dissatisfied, and if they were unfortunate enough to be discharged there would be no other place to obtain employment. * ** Severe medical examination would bar him in his old age from obtaining employment. * * * He would have to prostitute his manhood in deference to every petty official or be thrown into prison if he had the courage to protest, and the fact of his being a member of the organization of his craft would bring down on his head such a calamity that there would be no possible hope of recovery."

*

Let us look at the opposite system-private ownership-and see if many of the results that would be expected to befall us under government ownership do not apply to private ownership. I really am surprised how an advocate of private ownership can have such terrible fears of the results of any action that would be taken

by the government. It seems the laws enacted and system instituted by the government so far, though the chosen representatives of the people do not appeal to or receive their confidence. Any extention of its field of action at once raises in their suspicious minds visions of some terrible catastrophy to follow. As the government is based on the principle of private or individual ownership the causes which produce such results as to arouse the fears of our worthy Brothers must be traceable to the foundation principle of the same-namely, private or individual ownership. But to be specific, it is well known that the principle of private ownership prevails as regards the railroads. Now, as to the supposed result of government ownership, namely, a severe medical examination in order to get employment; have not a goodly number of the privately owned roads already got it? I personally know of a young man of ten years' experience being turned down for a brakeman's position after undergoing one of the most humiliating examinations. As regards the rights to quit, have the Brothers forgotten, or do they just ignore the many injunctions issued covering that point at the instance of privately owned lines, especially the Jenkins injunction? Will not a man who submits to a degrading medical examination prostitute his manhood if by that means he can retain the good will of his superior officer? The necessity for one seems to me to presage the possibility of the other. As to our organizations, do the Brothers think it was the good will of the owners that produced or maintain at the present our organizations? Was it not the co-operative effort of the members composing the craft in order to oppose the growing greed of said private owners? I think it is well understood that all the above evils already prevail to a great extent on most all the privately owned lines, but you not only have to fear a severe examination in old age, but in ad dition the age limit. So all the evils to fear from government ownership already exist more or less generally under private ownership. But I do not wonder the Brothers are suspicious. The results so far obtained are not such as to command confidence, but there is a difference in government ownership by the people democratically conducted (this is the socialist plan) and government ownership in the interest of the present by some private owners autocratically administered. Either one or the other system is sure to result from our present concentration. socialist advocates the first, all other parties oppose both except populists, but they are sure to meet with the support of both old parties. I think the most trouble results from the Brothers being unable to conceive of any system by which the people could conduct and control the industries of the country in the interest of the huge majority. I would admonish said Brothers from falling into the mistake of getting the two plans of government ownership mixed. As to Brother Leach's contention, he says, every man has the right to work out his own salvation; furthermore, that he has the right to the fruits of his labors. I must infer that all those who are deprived by unjust laws or otherwise of the

The

fruits, or a portion of the fruits of their labor is thereby restrained from working out said salvation to a certain extent. Are all receiving the full fruits of their labor? How about those whom labor-saving machinery deprives of the opportunity to labor. Will the industrial equipment of the country, when completed, still need as many to operate the machinery as it took before? Are we to understand that society has no right to interfere? If he does not believe these things, what is his remedy for the crying evils which most people realize already exist to an alarming extent?

Now, Brothers, if you have a remedy, present the same. Mine is classed conscious socialism. Incorporated in its principles are the hopes and aspirations of the human race, the hand of Brotherhood extended to the human race. Cooperation in place of competition and strife for the workers of all lands. A full and complete development for every human being by being released from the burden of incessant toil. Brothers you are excusing a system that places. a premium on dishonesty and opposing one that would remove the root of the evil. Don't be prejudiced. Read some of the standard works written by socialists, and don't condemn till you have heard all the evidence. Brothers, work for an order of society that will recognize the fact that we are all children of the same Maker. The clothes, food and enjoyments of this earth is a small thing, and every one willing to work should enjoy the same. CHIC & ERIE. Huntington, Ind.

Editor Railway Conductor:

I was very lucky not to attend our last meeting. Eighteen Brothers were held up. A small sum of money was asked, and before they were allowed their liberty each one had to hand out $1.00. This was a broad daylight hold up, and to think of it-eighteen of our brave conductorshaving to go down in their pockets and hand out $1.00 each was a remarkable hold-up. All of this occurred after our last regular meeting. They found the doors and all exits barred and a guard at each point. I regret very much to say who the parties were that did the holding up. and sorry to say that eighteen of our brave lads were so easy, but I will say the little $1.00 that they gave up was for a great benefit and a good purpose, and can say that there was more than one that took an active part. Their names it is not necessary to mention, as there were no arrests made. I congratulate Ladies' Auxiliary 48 for their brave act, and pleased to know that the one dollar demanded was for a membership in the Oh Why. Eighteen of our members were taken one step higher. If Division 148 had as hard workers as Auxiliary 48, and were as enterprising, they would be world beaters. I only hope they will set many more good examples as they have. Boys, encourage Auxiliary 48 to always work in harmony in future as the past, and may they have abundant success and growth.

Our road has been so busy for the past month or so that every one is nearly worn out. Our