the city limits and has track laid across the Puyallup river and is now working on terminals in the city.

The Union Pacific is working this way from the south, and it is reported that the Great Northern will soon run trains in from Seattle on joint track with the Northern Pacific.

Business on the Northern Pacific is not quite so good as it has been for the last few months and some of our conductors are braking, and the board shows a long list of brakemen laying off or extra. Tacoma, Wash. P. S. HERBERT.

Prophesy.

Before the sultry days of summer,
In nineteen hundred nine,
Teddy goes a-hunting,

Is waiting for the time.
Before he leaves the country,
He'll see Billy T. in the chair,
And tell him to get busy,

As labor put him there.
Will say, do not value man
By what he owns of earth;
The honest man today

Is the only man of worth-
No price will ever buy

The peace he represents.
Then let our nation see

You are its President.

When in the wild beast chase,
For lion, coon or bear,
This thought will come to me:
You'll surely fill the chair.
Problems will come before you;
The right you'll represent,
In honor of our nation,
And be its President.

Billy, I'll remember you
In my journeys far away;
Will ask kind Providence

To help you every day.
When in the far-off shadows,
Or in the glowing sun,

I shall often think of you, The man at Washington. Division 96.

W. I. LEGGETT.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR:

Having been elected to the position of correspondent, and as I have not seen anything from Columbus Division 511, I will attempt to let the outside world know that we are still in the land of the living, but we do not exactly know who we are or to whom we belong, although we draw our pay regularly on the 21st of each month from Washington. The piece of track that most of Division 511 members operate on was first known as the Georgia Pacific, then the Richmond & Danville, and later

the Southern Railway, but about two years ago the Southern gave up control on account of some state law, of which we are not familiar, and gave the name of Southern Railway in Mississippi. Now we do not know to whom we rightfully belong, but we were finally adopted by the Mobile & Ohio, with Mr. Charley A. Pigford superintendent at Meridian, and Mr. H. Hatcher as chief messenger boy at Columbus. It being his first position of authority, he believes his success lies in discharging everything that comes before him. He discharged a conductor for delaying a passenger train ten minutes and forced him to leave a division where he was made and re-instated one who had run eighteen miles in the face of a second-class train and met them on the main line without orders. Why? The conductors of Division 511 have never been able to learn, as we have no agreement except a volunteer one on the part of the company.

At our regular meeting on November 22, with Brother Ed. B. Taylor in the chair, officers for 1909 were elected.

The Southern, in Mississippi, has been doing a fine business this fall, with good men in demand, and one of the best trainmasters to work for that I ever met, Mr. W. T. Sutphen, very much loved by all the men in both departments.

Now, Brother Editor, you may think that the first part of this little note sounds very rash, but I think it will be to the interest of the struggling Brothers here on this road for it to appear in print, and as long as I am the only one that can come to harm over it, I would earnestly request you to let it come, as I have been out of the service since February 1, and will be anxiously waiting for the next issue of the CONDUCTOR. Will endeavor to do better next time. CLARENCE E. BARHAM.

Columbus, Miss.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR:

November 22 was regular meeting day for Division 186, and was set aside for election of officers, and sixty-six of our Brothers met for that purpose. I do not wish to comment on the good qualities of those elected, as I have something else, at this time, to say to the Brothers of the O. R. C., but will say that we showed the wisdom of a Solomon in our selection.

Now, Brothers, the time will soon be here when we are supposed to make new vows and turn over a new leaf, so what will we write on the new page? I hope some will write a different page in their life's history than the one or ones they have written heretofore. Do we still remember that motto we have been told about-"That which is right and fair," and do we remember it at all times? I am sorry to say that many do not, for self stands too predom

inant in the lives of many of us. We have some who will, to gain some little favor to their good, throw aside the vows taken at the altar and work to do a good Brother a wrong, taking underhand methods to gain their ends-they will not be open and fair. Now if there is any one man who deserves the cold shake more than another, he is the man who uses dark, underhand methods, and goes to the office alone, trying to beat some other Brother out of what is due him. We are banded together to help each other and to make each other's burdens easier, and to help build up the Order. Yet some have no use for the Order except for their own welfare. I will say to that kind of a Brother, "get out"; there is no room for you in the O. R. C. And a man who can't live up to that part of his vows, there is no place for him among good O. R. C.

men.

The time is near at hand when we must stand together as we have never stood before, and a man who can't hold a white flag up to another can't expect it to be held up to him. There seems to be among some of our members one great fault-they want to do unto others as they don't want others to do unto them. Well, Brothers, let us see if we can't have one white page in our new life's history as Order men. If I have thrown any stones, the ones that are not guilty need not dodge, and the ones that I hit will, down in their hearts, know it. A word to the delegates to the Grand Division: Remember, you are sent there for business, not for pleasure. There was a great deal of trouble at Memphis in regard to Grand Division being hard to control. I know a large body of men are hard to control when some of them have not the interest of the meeting at heart, and are only time-killers. A body of six hundred men or more should not be any more trouble to control than a body of one hundred if they will attend to business. If the delegate don't think he can go to the Grand Division in the interest of the Order, he had betfer stay at home. Some of you will say I don't know what a task it is to control a large body of men. I do, for I have been a delegate more times than once where there were from one hundred to one thousand in a body. Good order depends on the delegates themselves. If local Divisions would use a little better judgment in the men they select, there would be less confusion in the Grand Division.

Now, Brothers, be men of business, not marmosets, when you go to the Grand Division. I am not in favor of delegates by districts, for that shuts out the small local Divisions and gives the larger ones too much favor. I think that every Division should have delegates. I am in favor of the law to unseat and send home any delegate who fails in his duty or hinders the

action of the Grana División. I will say no more on this subject at this time, but I wish to take up the question of insurance; also a pension system by the United States government in t' series of letters to follow, i. e., if our editor can find space for me to air some of my views on this question. [He sure can.-Ed.] May I ask what has become of Divisions 101, 342 and 74 are they dead or asleep?. Bessemer, Ala. M. H. FLESHMAN.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR:

Before retiring again from the columns of the CONDUCTOR as a volunteer scribe (Division 40 having elected one who says he will endeavor to equal, if not surpass, his "regular" predecessor), I desire to make acknowledgement of my indebtedness to the gentleman from Buffalo, N. Y., Dr. Newton, for professional advice. I am not authority as to the class of M. D.'s to which he should be assigned, but for the sake of humanity and also to balance accounts, I would respectfully suggest that he confine himself to the practice of "absent treatment," that his patients may not be exposed to the consequences of a faulty diagnosis. The intellectual failure to "arrive" at any other conclusion, reported in his letter in the December number of the CONDUCTOR, must be due to the "annullment" of his intelligence by some operating official for which I am not responsible. That the Doctor is sufficiently intelligent to "arrive" at other conclusions when permitted to proceed on his mental schedule is amply verified in his letter. For instance, the manner in which he refutes his own criticisms almost in the same breath that gives them utterance, breathes his intelligence.

I will avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate the company which he represents in the capacity of passenger conductor upon its good fortune in having one conductor who, according to his letter, is not always in hot water with his passengers, and in comparison with whose smile the now famous "National" smile is a mere shadow.

The signs of the times seem to indicate that labor organizations have reached a critical period. Their destiny seems to be in the balance. Now is the time to study carefully the evolution of labor unions with a view of avoiding any traps set for the scattering of their forces and their ultimate destruction. They have progressed wonderfully in the last decade and are now a political factor to be reckoned with; hence a word of caution. Leaders who have proven true and tried should be retained and only those in whom selfishness is not a dominating power should be chosen as captains and pilots of the O. R. C. ships of the labor union fleet. D. E. HASEY.

St. Paul, Minn.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR:

Division 344 is on hand with the goods. We held our election on the 14th inst., after which the ladies gave us one of the good times which they know so well how to do. After having done justice to a good supper, they had some local talent and games, such as slight-of-hand, two-step and cake walk. Well, I think we will have a banner year in 1909, having some material to work on which we will land before the end of year. East Toronto, Can.

The Veteran "Con."

Do not forget the Vet, boys,
As you go to and fro,

For he's the one who made a noise
When wages they were low.
He also built for you a ship

That sails the sea today,

And when she makes a business trip Good things all come your way.

He called the boys together

In the year of sixty-eight,
And said, "Let's cut this leather
Before it is too late;"

So they tied up with a tether,
I am happy to relate,

That has stood all kinds of weather,
And is even up to date.

So he got the good work going From the ocean to the sea,

But dare not do no crowing,

For the powers that would be

NIG.

Saw the boys would make a showing
If allowed to act so free,

And then trouble did some growing
For the future O. R. C.

The Veteran did some thinking In days that now are past; He also did some drinking,

And this you mention last, For it was right and proper

A good fellow for to be,

So his fingers pulled the stopples Quite often in his glee.

Now don't forget when out you go, I care not who you be,

That to this Vet a debt you owe;

So now agree with me,

It's better for this to be so,

As all can plainly see,

Than being like a chunk of dough
In this land of the free.

Stop a moment on your travel,

And let thought upon him dwell; You will surely then unravel

What to you he would not tell, For this Vet that's rapped the gavel And has done his work so well Should be free from all this cavil And the lies some love to tell.

Now it's right that you remember,
And a good boy you should be
To this Vet that's reached December,
And shortly will be free.
It's your duty, as a member,

That this Vet, where e'er he be,
Should not be a burning ember,
For his work has been for thee.

In a little cot up yonder,

This old Veteran has a home, Where he often sits and ponders While his thoughts away will roam, And as they stray and wander, Maybe across the foam,

His heart will beat more fondly
Beneath its human dome.

Old Father Time is clever,
And gives his labor free;
He'll house you from the weather
Beneath the church yard tree;
He'll deck your grave with heather,
If there you chance to be,
And you'll never break the tether
Until Gabriel sets you free.
Benton Harbor, Mich.

HENRY FLORIDA.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR:

Bowling Green, Ky., is situated in the broad, fertile valley of Barren river, about twenty-four miles southwest of the famous Mammoth Cave, and may be reached by rail over the L. & N. road and by steamer on the Barren river. The topography of south-central Kentucky in which Bowling Green is situated, is varied, picturesque, and pleasing. The face of the country is undulating, swelling sometimes into high, beautiful hills and then sinking into fertile valleys, with good drainage. There is not a swamp in all this basin, nor any stagnant waters to breed diseases. In the richness of its soil, the beauty and healthfulness of its climate, and the attractiveness of its landscape, this part of Barren river valley is unexcelled by any other equal area in the United States. Broad, rich valleys and green slopes are seen on every side, and from the hills many springs of clear water issue to preserve the verdure of the earth, to freshen the soil, and modify the temperature. Beautiful groves of many varieties of native trees form extensive natural parks, all of them carpeted with the richest blue grass. This part of Barren river valley has no harsh features, no rugged mountains, nor deep defiles, but its vistas blend into a grand picture of pastoral landscape of great beauty.

The climatic conditions of this section of Kentucky are very agreeable and conducive to the most vigorous health in man and beast, and to the fruitfulness of the soil and prosperity of the country.

No one who is familiar with Bowling Green will deny that it is a charming city

in which to live. Its commerce and manufactures are productive of wealth, its educational institutions and churches, its clubs, lyceums and conservatories, all bespeak and encourage such ideas and tendencies in learning and culture as most exalt and embellish modern civilized life. And here, as we might naturally expect, are to be found handsome and commodious residences, with artistic surroundings, well paved streets and beautiful public buildings. In fact, from the political and commercial importance of Bowling Green and from its interests and attainments in educational affairs and art, this classic little city has come to be called the "Athens" of Kentucky.

In the midst of such environments as these, Division 133, O. R. C., has established its home, surrounded with all that goes to inspire higher and nobler thoughts in the development of its fraternal work. With a membership of seventy-five strong, active and generous-hearted Brothers, Division 133 has been able to do much good fraternal work on the L. & N. system, teaching the value of integrity, the development of manhood, the propriety and utility of moral courage, the rightful distribution of financial and moral help to invalid Brothers, the conservation of the general good of the Order, and the wisdom of trying to excel in all their endeavors through meritorious effort and qualities of sterling worth.

It is here among these faithful and wholesome-minded members that the L. & N. General Chairman happily finds his official domicile and thus, surrounded by such pleasant and beneficial influence, he feels greatly inspired in his endeavor to outline the departments and to build up the great work of our grand old Order on the L. & N. system so that its efficiency for real beneficence may be great and far-reaching, not only in its precepts and principles, but also in its actual work, its actual deeds of "Fidelity, Justice and Charity," to its many Brother-members and their dependents in every phase of social and industrial life.

We should be pleased to have the Grand Division visit us in the near future, for we have room in our Kentucky hearts and homes for all who come our way. Bowling Green, Ky.

J. D. KEEN.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR: Christmas week is again upon us, and I extend to the readers of the CONDUCTOR the season's greetings. Division 55 is still moving along in the good old way of keeping its business up to date, visiting the sick, ministering to the needy, and proving to the world that the teachings of the Order of Railway Conductors is upbuilding and helping to its membership. I have often wished that every member of this grand organiza

tion could appreciate more fully the real meaning of being his brother's keeper, and could apply a little more of that love which our good Brother Smithers speaks of in his most excellent letter in the December CONDUCTOR, and I hope every member will read it carefully. When we get that abiding "love," we will quit our fault-finding and our selfishness and be willing that all shall have an equal right to make a decent living, and reach out our strong right hand to pull the weak one along with us instead of taking advantage of his weakness and trip him. What is my duty as a Christian? "To do unto others as I would that they should do unto me." Why are we forever reviling and fault-finding with this Brother, with church or creed, or the religion of this Brother or of that Sister? Is it necessary to do so to prove to the world that our church, our creed and our religion is the only one that can save one from eternal death, hell and destruction? Surely not! There is a much easier and better way of proving that we are serving the only true and living God, whose love for the human family was so strong that he gave his only begotten son as a ransom from sin; they had strayed into the wilderness of sin and unrighteousness. God took this way of making it possible for them to return to him, and the means was made easy, for all that was necessary for them to get back was faith in God, repentance for sin, submission to God's will, and their sins washed away through the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus. Then it is my duty to go out into this wilderness of sin, of poverty, of immorality, of ignorance and destitution, and by my kindly acts towards my Brothers of our beloved Order, and in the church, give to them my sympathy, minister unto their needs in the true spirit of love, win those who have wandered away from the teachings of our Order, and from our Christian religion. I must win them back to God and to their duty; then teach them that beautiful gospel of Christ, leaving out the creed of the Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist, Christian, Roman Catholic, Mormon or Mohammedan, but teach them to love their brother just a little, just enough so that they wont forget he is their brother, and pray God to give us more of that strong, abiding, living "love." I know several church creeds, but not one of them appeals to me as does the Lord's Prayer. It is creed enough for any one. Our Father: this makes us one with Christ; Thy Will be done: this teaches us submission, and when rightly acquired, in reality makes us God's in simplicity and submission. This naturally brings the question, how can one begin the home life in this way? By leaving behind you all of your prejudices against the Order or church, take into the home the open Bible, read it, study it, ponder over its promises,

its glorious possibilities, and obey its commandments. The home must, of necessity, be one of two things; either a beautiful heaven or a terrible hell. We must choose between the two conditions-which shall it be? God bless such Brothers as Brother Smithers, for such writing gladdens the hearts of men, and thank God we are now living in an age that is seeking after the higher and better life. May God hasten the day when America's youth shall not be ruined by that hell-brewed broth that is today destroying so many of our brightest young men, and may our membership take a strong hand in the game of destruction towards the end that we are freed from it for all time. W. WELCH.

Kansas City, Mo.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR :

As the correspondent of Division 100 has been dormant for some time, we shall rise to another awakening if for no other reason than to please our Senior Conductor, Brother Shelly, as he is usually called, for it is quite evident he always looks into the ladies' column for his information, and seems to know more about that sex than any member of Division 100. Well, there is nothing like having one ladies' man among

us.

Division 100 held its election of officers the last meeting in November, and they will be installed the last meeting day in December. Our present Chief Conductor is worthy of our highest consideration and I can safely say, and personally vouch for him, that the administration will be carried out on the same business-like principles that have been so well established heretofore. I think I can safely say that we have the largest Division between New York and Chicago, and according to our Secretary's report, have been doing very well in the way of taking in new members, but the general business depression has given us a smaller amount of timber to draw recruits from, as the roads have been making but very few new conductors-in fact, the system I am employed on has not made any, and a goodly number of our regulars are only extra today, but we all hope for the future and the general conditions of things look more promising. The money stringency does not seem to exist and has been practically relegated to the scrap pile of the last decade.

The time is drawing near and the delegates by this time have been chosen to represent their respective Divisions at the next biennial convention, and I hope at that meeting that every delegate be instructed to abrogate Article 27 of the Mutual Benefit Department; this is termed the Reserve Fund, and I advise a careful study of it.

Brothers, those of you who are interested,

do give this your honest consideration, and just ask yourselves, what are we going to do with a fortune of nearly a million dollars; are we foolish enough to hoard up such an enormous amount and let someone else be the beneficiary? I say no, Brothers, there is a younger generation now fast coming upon the stage of action. Are we going to turn our labors over to them, or rather the fruits thereof, and let them dispose of it as they see fit? I again say no! We are the men of today, we have helped to build up this organization and have added, through our sacrifices, a ponderous amount of strength and influence which has given us unquestioned recognition in the field of organized labor, and now in this hour we want to enjoy the fruits of our past labors. Why not take this money and build permanent headquarters the same as the engineers intend doing in Cleveland? That would save thousands of dollars for rental each year, besides we could open up the other side of the ledger and be receiving rents instead of paying out. To erect such a building would be a monument large and convincing of the business stability of our organization. Understand me, I am not a calamity howler, but I firmly believe in having our share of the benefits created by our own efforts. I shall now leave this question an open book for some of our good scribes to take up more in detail. Let's hear from you. C. MOELLER. Columbus, Ohio.

EDITOR RAILWAY CONDUCTOR :

Collins Division 5 held its annual election of officers November 15.

We hope our grand officers will try to have the sixteen hour law modified somewhat at the coming session of Congress, for, as it stands now, it is equal to a reduction of fifty dollars a month in wages. While I am not prepared to say what can be done, it is up to the wise guys to solve the problem.

Division 5 is in a flourishing condition as regards membership, but when that is said, it is all said. The meetings are well attended by the N. C. Brothers, who have Sunday off, but the B. & O. has about 200 conductors and but five or six is all that can be found at a meeting. The fact of the matter is, we should have a Division in calling distance in South Baltimore and meet on Tuesday evenings about 8 p. m., and keep it up until it becomes popular. All other railway orders have a lodge under those conditions, but the O. R. C., I believe is like Mahomet: when the mountain I would not come to him he went to the mountain. So it is with all orders and churches-build them in your midst so there can be no dodging the issue. Hold smokers and serve refreshments at Division meetings (I don't mean booze); invite the