was travels. Our worthy general manager nicely rewarded for his courtesy to the delegates while enroute over his system, by being presented with an elegant silver dinner set of knives, forks and spoons-one of the latest designs. Also, Mr. Payne, his stenographer and chief clerk was given an elegant gold watch by the B. L. F. Mr. M. Crane entertained very artistically with the stereopticon views of the block and staff system that we have. All the delegates left on the 26th, much pleased with the courtesy shown them while in Chattanooga by their southern friends. Division 148 at the present seems to keep its reapers in constant use, from one to five new members every month-have five for this month and more to follow soon. An elegant dime social was given by Sister Alison Friday evening. About forty guests took part in the eating. A very enjoyable evening was spent by all. Guess I had better stop this time and save some for my next. Chattanooga, Ten. Editor Railway Conductor: OPIE HERRIOTT. There is not a profession known to man but can be attained in less time than it takes to make a conductor. The discipline to obtain a profession is not more strict, nor the training more severe than we have to undergo to receive the appointment we hold. Our business is unlike a profession or a trade, because our mistakes mean the turning of the course of our entire lives. Our failing to please one master, destroys our chances to please another in the same capacity. Our minds are trained to do nothing else. Our hands are not deft enough to compete with those drilled to a trade. What remains for us to do? If sickness or accident visit us, we may become incapacitated. The flower of our youth has gone. Our figure has become warped, our sight dimmed, or our hearing impaired. We have passed a point of usefulness. Our compensation for the best years of our lives, has not warranted an account upon which we can rely, when our life is on the wane. The physician, as a rule, can practice to the end; the attorney has secured enough to feel at ease; the divine, according to the holy writ, "shall live by the gospel;" the professor seldom feels uneasy; the man of a trade can do as well in one place as another, but the conductor must be in possession of all his faculties, in order to retain his standing. There is no business which requires such a length of service to obtain as ours. Yet there is no business that can be more easily lost, yea and lost forever. Our calling requires our appearance to be in keeping with the professional man. We are expected to meet men of every standing. We come in contact with the saint and the sinner, the rich man and the beggar, the philosopher and the fool. We are supposed to understand the manner which each requires. We must be bright, active and of character. Still, with all these requirements, there is not a man among us who has received revenue enough from the business to discontinue practice at any point in his life. The question is; Should we not advocate some method of pension? Would it not be advisable to propose to the officials our willingness to contribute towards the establishment of a fund for this purpose? It would encourage efficiency in the service. It would destroy all possibilities of a strike. It would teach us the lesson of economy in the handling of the companies' property. Our highest aim would be the success of the corporation which was to provide for our old age. We would guard its interests as relig iously as those which surround our fireside. It would have a soothing effect upon the minds of those who have grown from boyhood to old age in the service. It would not place them in a posi tion to walk backward to hide the shame of becoming subjects of the state. It would relieve the grief which well nigh drives a person mad, who may have had the misfortune of losing a member of his body. It would be the grandest effort ever made by men of capital, since the human race began to think. It would prove to humanity that persons of fortune have souls and desire to use their wealth and power for the betterment of mankind. It would be in accordance with the great Spirit that was crucified nearly twenty centuries ago. It would move the great army employed in the service to a feeling of devotion for those whom God has made masters of men. Now, Brother Editor, a few lines touching on our Division. We are preparing a banquet for our anniversary, which takes place October 26th. Division 413 looks with much pleasure on her first year's history. A membership of over 200 and a treasury of more than a thousand dollars. We have secured the Odd Fellows' hall in Charlestown, which is considered by far the most elaborate quarters of its kind in this historic city. A place of meeting adds much to the visiting Brother's impression of a Division, and also creates a pride in the members, which enlarge the attendance. The boys have recovered from their trip to Saratoga and Mechanicsville. They associate this visit to New York among those to be thought of for life. Brother Busseno should be complimented for his efforts, which crowned the affair with suc cess. Brother D. Webb Sanborn is entitled to much praise for the arrangement of the trip, which was in keeping with what a monarch might desire. "The Father of our Division" (Brother McDonald), and Dan Neal drank so freely of Saratoga water that we were denied their presence more than half the time on their return trip. Brother Cal Brown was poisoned eating bottled herring. Poor Brother Beal had an attack of pleurisy, caused by snoring. Our Chief Conductor was anxious to make a stop at one of the crossings in the tunnel. Brother Henry Hughes was requested to keep the Pullman porter from falling asleep. Brother Prescott was the only man in the party that never closed an eye. We are in hopes that the Grand Chief Conductor will be present at our first annual banquet. We are not unmindful of the effort it will cost him to come this distance, but the greater the effort the greater our appreciation. We are expecting the officials of the Boston & Maine system, from the president down to the division superintendent, to attend. I wish the editor could allow me space to mention the bright sayings or doings of each Brother in our Division. But this being impossible, I trust the Brothers will not consider it an oversight on my part if they fail to see their names specially mentioned. I wish space would permit me to send the article I would like on our present system of delegates to the Grand Division. There is not a member of the Order, who is not a delegate, or aspiring for the position, but considers the expense of the Grand body something enormous. In a very short time, under the existing conditions, the delegates that represent eight thousand members will control those that represent twenty thousand. This cannot continue without a menace to our Order. There have been more replies made to my article on this subject than any other question I have seen in THE CONDUCTOR. And why? Because, as a rule, those who write for THE CONDUCTOR are, or desire to be delegates: or they are out of the service. You know there are some who desire to rule or ruin. They smart under opposition. Such a disposition can be altered only by the will of God. I am told we have delegates who are not in the service, and occupy more time upon the floor of the convention than a dozen who are actively engaged. It strikes me that when a subject is under discussion which does not affect a Brother, compressed lips tell more eloquently than words the prudence he possesses. Time that is worth thousands of dollare is used by Brothers in the Grand Division who have passed out of the service years ago. Lack of judgment on their part has exposed them to unlimited criticism. Many who are charitably disposed toward such Brothers, hesitate expressing their opinions, while others fear the lash of their inexhaustible tongues. It is not the fire-eaters who have immortalized their names on the records of the Grand Division. I do not expect an article of this sort to be received kindly by all the Brothers. Far from it! But could the general views of the O. R. C. be reached there is no question in my mind what the judgment would be. I read replies by the score from the dissatisfied. Those who read and approve seldom mention their justification through THE CONDUCTOR. I am in hopes to see a more equal representation. I do not wish to deny a Division a delegate, but it does not seem right that a Division of fifteen or twenty members should have the same power in the convention as a Division of 100, 200 or 300. If these conditions continue the Grand Chief Conductor should hesitate to grant Railway Conductors, some time ago I shoved my old rusty pen in on the rip track, and at the time of so doing my intentions were to leave it there, but owing to the fact that in the past two years I have seen so many letters in THE CONDUCTOR from different Brothers in regard to sending delegates to the Grand Division who are not real or sure enough conductors, or in other words conductors in actual service, that I concluded to dig my old pen out from among the cripps and try and make another trip with it. Of course it would be the proper course to pursue to send the conductor who is in actual service; that is, providing his qualifications are in accordance with the requirements of the duties of a delegate. It is just as plausible to advance the argument that the Grand Officers should be conductors in actual service as it is for the delegates to be in actual service. The person to send to represent a Division should be the right one, whether he be in service or not; one who is posted on the laws of the Order and all pertaining to it-parliamentary rules, etc., and can get up and make his little speech and not allow any one to bluff him; that is, represent his Division with honor to the Order as well as to his Division, and takes notes so that when he comes home he can tell all the transactions of the Division. I have seen delegates who had been to the Grand Division who could not tell a little bit of what was done-some were sure enough conductors, some were not. Simply being in actual service does not qualify a man to be a representative. When a criminal employs an attorney to defend him in court he does not look for one who is in actual service as a criminal, but one who understands the laws, his case and all pertaining to it. And just so with the delegate or man who is sent to represent a body of men-he should know the laws-what the men need-what is best for them, etc.-then, with all this, he should be fully able to execute his qualifications in the Grand Division, or any place else wherever he might be sent. I also note the fact that some of the Brothers are agitating the cause of moving the headquarters to Washington, D. C. I think that owing to the fact that conductors are not all millionaires that it would be best to let well enough alone. One Brother says the question often arises, "Are labor organizations a menace to government?" I do not see why they should be. Organized labor has come to stay, and the day is coming when it will be recognized by all, but in order to accomplish this it is very necessary that it be carefully handled. How about organized capital? It is throwing thousands out of employment and putting up the price of living in such a manner that the ordinary laboring man cannot obtain the actual necessaries of life, to say nothing about clothing. But organized capital has come to stay also, and the only way for both to make a success is to mutually harmonize and settle all differences by arbitration. At the present time, however, there is a certain element of anarchy existing on one side, while on the other side there is a very strong element of monarchy. This is why these differences cannot be arbitrated, and we have an elegant sample of the latter element on exhibition before us at the present time in the coal region. Arbitration is the only true and honorable means of settling a dispute-war is considered a very barbarous way of settling a dispute, but it has to be resorted to sometimes in order to bring around arbitration. The coal kings say they have nothing to arbitrate; this is equivalent to saying that they have no trouble. Granting this to be the case, why are they shouting for soldiers to shoot those poor unfortunate mortals down like rats while running to their hiding places, as the Pinkerton hell-birds and deputy scabs did in the last anthracite strike. I say scab, because it means a mean, dirty, low down man. The coal kings imported these unfortunates into this country for the purpose of obtaining cheap labor, and now when they are compelled to fight for the necessaries of life and ask for an honorable settlement by arbitration, the only arbitration offered is powder, lead and bayonet. I see our chief ruler, not our supreme ruler, however, recommends, or rather appeals, to the patriotism of miners and owners to settle the difficulty. He might just as well, and I believe it would accomplish more if he would say fight. Those miners as a rule, outside of their officers, do not know what patriotism is, and the other party does not care a rap for patriotism, humanity or any other thing else as long as they can accomplish their desires. I think it would be well to transport one or two of those fellows to the island of Juan Fernandez where they could proclaim: "We are monarch of all we survey, And the beast has lain down in his lair; We'll stay here and die in despair." There is also another location I would mention; it is that celestial and lovely city where they do not have to shovel snow, and the aforesaid city will never be full until all those tyrannical labor fighters are in it. Well, after taking a rest for a short while I see by the papers that it is utterly useless to make any further efforts to settle the great strike by using kindness when those coal lords and incubators of anarchy would not recognize the President of the United States, but ignore him in his own house. What is it they wouldn't do? I am very much pleased to state that Brother L. L. Kensinger of Division 3 has recently been appointed assistant general yardmaster for the Missouri Pacific railway. Having known him well and favorably for the past sixteen years, I can cheerfully vouch for him, he has the hearty congratulations of all the boys, and also his best girl, and all that is now necessary to make him still more happy is to just pay one dollar for the necessary transportation for a voyage on the sea of matrimony. How about that, Brother Lee? And as congratulations are in order just at present, we heartily congratulate Brother C. D. Kellogg of Division 3 on his appointment as associate editor of THE CONductor. Trusting to see some spicy articles in the editorial columns in the near future, and again, C. D., we wish you success and a cordial, welcome greeting. DOC LIVINGSTON. St. Louis, Mo. Editor Railway Conductor: September journal read and approved. We noticed under head of "Forum of Standard Train Rules," that the Forum is improving every issue of the journal. In the library of congress you can find all labor journals that are printed. I spend many pleasant hours reading the railroad labor journals. They will average up with train journals in intelligence and improvements, and one and all are agitating the great question of foreign emigration. They are all advocating more pay on account of the increase of tonnage hauled by the latest ocean liners commonly called locomotives. I believe that the Conductors and Brakemen have a just claim to appeal to the railroad owners for an increase. I learned in my 32 years of experience on the rail that railroad companies have no souls to save nor no pants to KICK. All organized labor passed the hat for the coal miners and 378 gave their donation. We take this timely opportunity to thank our Grand Chief for issuing his circular letter asking all Divisions to donate some money to help the poor miner in the state of Pennsylvania. We hope the O. R. C. may never be compelled to make a similar appeal, but should such a thing occur that compelled organized labor to pass the hat for us, Bro. Clark has laid a foundation for such action from all organized labor. We read in the September B. of L. F. journal where the firemen of the cotton states are set against the negro firemen organizing. We believe they should let them organize and give them autonomy or separate lodges, but have them controlled by their grand lodge. If not, they will surely work much harm to the fireman down in Dixie. There are 86,000 blacks and 192,000 whites, according to the census of 1900, in the city of Washington, D. C. Now, when I looked around for the cause of this, I found that the northern man employed white labor and the southern man employed black labor. The District of Columbia is no place for a white man to come, to put his labor on the market. The "cops" will run a poor white man out of town if he is broke, and call him a tramp, and let a negro stay. They say there are no negro tramps. The negro is preferred because he is humble and cheap. "Consistency, thou art a jewel." Well, before this article goes to print the old ex-soldier from 1861 to 1865 will be here, have had his grand march on the avenue and gone home. We expect a grand time. Lincoln proclaimed Emancipation, but the men behind the guns gave life to that decree. Those believe in organized labor. Previous to April, 1861, organized labor cut no figure in this great country. Labor should not be taken off its feet and go charging after rainbows, when the politician is talking. We, as a labor organization, are a trust or combined labor, and the same people that are barking like the coyote against the so-called trusts, are the hardest kind of knockers on organized labor. If combined capital will help us get protection against the foreign laborer, we will concede to him the same rights to form trusts against the foreign encroachments of foreign trusts. Recollect that organized labor cannot afford to take one step backward, but must look upward and onward and strive to excel. The B. R. T. journal has a good article on the immigration question in the September number. We were sorry and pained to read in the press dispatches that the old gallant leader and Speaker of the House of the Fifty-seventh Congress had refused the nomination for the Fiftyeighth Congress. That was hard blow to organized labor legislation, for that dear, old onelegged man, D. B. Henderson, had the cause of labor at heart, and showed it in all his actions in the House of Representatives for the past twenty-two years. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I was pleased to read our legislative representative's (H. R. Fuller) report where he scored Senator Hoar. We have new candidates to join every meeting and a full house of members. We take this opportunity to thank Brothers Moore and Propps of Division 337 for timely help. Washington, D. C. Editor Railway Conductor: JOHN DWYER. Division 196 is actively at work in the interest of its members and the Order in general. We are not making any great noise or blowing our bugle loud, but are working intelligently and co-operatively for the mutual interest of all con cerned, and as a result of this fraternal working we are adding from one to three to our Division membership and the Order every two weeks. And our older members are waking up also.growing more enthusiastic in pushing forward the good work. I am glad to assure you, Mr. Editor, and the Order at large, that there is a closer and stronger community of interest existing between the railway companies and our membership. Both are realizing that organizations like ours are not only beneficial to all parties, but are an actual necessity, and the friction that at one time existed between employer and employe has to a very great extent been relegated to the rear if not almost entirely wiped out, and both interests are getting closer together. Not only is this a fact so far as the O. R. C. is concerned, but it is so regarding the other railway orders, and we are proud to say, and we state it as a positive fact, that the broad, liberal conservative policy as laid down and followed by the Order of Railway Conductors of America has permeated all the other orders. And both the railway orders and the companies are in a closer and more liberal touch with each other. If the index finger of time and events does not point the wrong way we look for a closer alliance and co-operation of all the railway orders and the railway companies of this and other sections of our country, and that a more general organization of lall interest will follow in the near future. The railway companies are now realizing the fact that the standard of education and requirements as laid down by the O. R. C. in their laws and practiced in their Divisions, and the exactions of its members by its laws and training has elevated the profession and created alhigher standard of excellence, and as a very natural result the railroad companies are [the beneficiaries of this work of the Order. We do not wish it understood that we are entirely free from all friction or local troubles that naturally beset those in railroad work, but we. are fast reducing it to a minimum so far as the members of the O. R. C. are concerned in this section, and we think it equally true of the other railway orders. We are of the opinion that the day is not far distant when all systems will be working under a well defined contract with all of their employes and which will be vastly better for all concerned. An honest, mutual cooperation of all in interests is the watchword of Division 196. We have one member, Brother E. Steinhauser, who was injured while in the employment of the late Plant System as general yardmaster at Jacksonville, Fla., and failing to adjust his claim went to court. (This matter was never in the hands of the committee of adjustment.) He sued for $30,000 damages. To the surprise of not only the laiety, but of the legal talent, the learned judge of the Chatham County, Georgia court threw this case out of court. Brother Steinhauser's attorneys at once took an appeal to the supreme court of Georgia, and it is to be hoped the lower court will be reversed. This judge may be trying to pattern after Judge John Jay Jackson of the United States District Court of Parkersburg, W. Va. We are greatly pleased with the progress and growth of our Order and the very prominent and advanced position that our Order now occupies in the labor world, and we feel sure that the honest, fearless policies as laid down by the O. R. C. and so successfully carried out by our Grand Officers has and will result in great good. We are surely gratified with the working of our trial of the bureau for aiding disabled Brothers and we hope it will bury the idea of a joint home. The work of our Grand Officers has and will be closely watched, and are glad to say that so far we are in strict accord with all they have done and are now doing, and we hope their efforts are being ably seconded all over the country, for in a close brotherly unity there is strength. With a cordial invitation to all of our Brothers when in this city (Jacksonville, Fla.,) to pay us a visit and see one of the most beautiful cities in Florida that has in one year sprung up from her "acres of ashes" and is today the pride of her sturdy sons, and which tells a volume in the work done and the energy, confidence and pluck of her people in re-building after the great fire of May, 1901, we have emblazoned on our flag "Excelsior-Fraternity." Jacksonville, Fla. Editor Railway Conductor: ADREW. Editor Railway Conductor: You will see by the head of this letter that I am writing this letter in Fort Worth. My heart and my interests are in Longview. I am not here from choice, but the wheel of life keeps turning, changes will take place under all circumstances with us all. I have had many pleasant days and many sad ones in Longview. Without exception, there are in the limits of Longview some of the warmest, biggest-hearted, kindest people in the world. Among railway employes never were a better class of men gathered together. Now that is the full expression of my heart. I have been changed from the run that I have had during the past six years to a through run between Fort Worth and Texarkana. I tendered my resignation as Secretary of Division 396, but they would not accept it, preferring that I fill out my term. Well, Brothers, I take it as you all intended it, that you approve of my acts and respect me. I am truly grateful and appreciate your confidence and respect. No matter, my Brothers of Division 396, what changes come in the future, nor what lines of life will lead us apart, while I live I will always have a special feeling of love for the Brothers of Division 396. I shall, however, drop a line as often as I can to THE RAILWAY CONDUCTOR. The Brothers of Division 396 are now kept pretty much on the go. There has not been enough members of the Division in Longview on Sundays during the past month to hold a meeting. Business on the road is very heavy and the men are on the go. Brothers, although we are kept constantly in the saddle, we are none the less interested in the business of the Order. In my last letter in THE CONDUCTOR I somehow left out a verse. We have a conductor here who is prominent and good looking. He is married, however. Well, by some means I forgot him when I was composing my poem on the conductors of the east division. I will have to fix the thing up somehow. Now let's insert a littleneither is he big in stature, but a good all 'round boy. You wonder who he is? Well, I will tell |