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points to the fact that others will shortly follow. And pray, who are the employes with whom they have no contracts. Upon practically every line of the country, contracts are in effect with the engineers, firemen, conductors, trainmen, switchmen, carmen, telegraphers, machinists, boiler-makers, blacksmiths and other shop employes and upon many of them with the section-men and other maintenance of way employes. This order then, is equivalent to saying "reduce the wages of all clerks ten per cent."

This, in view of the fact that the Clerks are the poorest paid and hardest worked class in the railroad service, savors very much of a gross injustice; however, they have only themselves to blame; there have been years of prosperity and golden opportunities have been presented to them for perfecting their organization, but these opportunities were permitted to pass unheeded. Many Clerks when approached have said, "I cannot afford to pay the fifty cents per month dues, I am only receiving fifty or sixty dollars per month." However, many of these Clerks are now required to pay to the stockholders of the Company which they serve, five or six dollars per month, whether they can afford to do so or not.

"Reduce the wages of all employes with whom we have no contracts." The Railway Clerks could have had contracts with every Railroad Company in the country, had they only made a proper effort to do so.

It is not yet too late to make amends for past mistakes; the most favorable conditions under which we start the year 1908 is a great point in our favor, and the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks will work as it never worked before, to save the individual Clerks from having the shackles of abject slavery fastened more firmly about them. If the reduction of 1893 has never been restored, will that of 1907-8 ever be? Draw your own conclusions, non-member clerks meet the Brotherhood half way in its efforts to stop further wage reduction. J. F. R.

Industrial peace by trade agreement we can all advocate, but industrial peace where "employes are not organized, because they do not need to be," sounds like the old fable of the lion and the lamb.

Cheerfulness wears well and brings its possessor into much solid comfort.

RAILROAD CLERKS AND CHRISTMAS. To the Editor of The Times-Democrat.

New Orleans, Dec. 22, 1907.-Railroad employes are somewhat shocked over the attitude taken by the several railroads of this city.

As everyone knows, Christmas is here, a time when everybody would like to have some spare change to give the loved ones some token of appreciation. It has been a custom for a number of years for the Auditor's office of roads in this city to allow their clerks to draw upon their salaries in order to have some change for the holidays, and this custom is still maintained by the Auditor's office of the Southern Pacific.

But now how about the Poydras street and Algiers offices? These poor clerks are compelled to work a month and six days before they can draw one month's salary. (The 6th of each month being payday.) Does not Mr. Cushing or Mr. Edwards think they would like to have some change for Christmas? Why this discrimination between the general office and local office employes? Do they not know they are forcing these poor clerks into the money brokers' hands to get money when they could at least let them draw part of what they have already earned, and save them the 10 per cent that the money sharks charge them for a small loan?

Why does the Southern Pacific refuse this year to let their clerks draw some of what belongs to them, when in reality last year they went so far as to distribute money to their employes at Christmas time? Is it due to the fact that they had labor troubles then and wanted to make good with their strike-breakers?

How about you, Mr. Dunn, of the Illinois Central, and Mr. Paul, of the Texas & Pacific? If heads can draw, let the poor, humble clerks have a chance so they can pay their poll tax and keep away from the money sharks. W. J. WILSON.

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The Lamberville Rubber Company has, according to press dispatches, discharged all its employes who had the temerity to form an organization of their trade and has announced that no union men will be employed by it. A certificate is required from all applicants for positions, to the effect that they are not members of any labor organization. This company manufacturers the "Goodyear" brand of overshoes, as well as many other articles bearing that brand. Of course organized labor will be expected to purchase the "Goodyear" brand.

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industrial tie is forever protected through the spirit of compromise and obtains for progress through the spirit of unselfishness. W. J. E.

The members of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers contributed $34,000.00 to the Commercial Telegraphers' Union of Ameriica, during the late strike, which contribution was made through the Grand Secretary and Treasurer. These figures do not include amounts contributed to the various locals of the C. T. U. of A. by members and divisions locally. More extended reference to this matter is prohibited in this issue on account of lack of space, but will be made in the January number.-The Telegrapher.

Is it not strange that so many fellows who are always ready to point out "what ought to be done and how to do it" never do anything to prove their superior knowledge. All their talents and energies are spent in criticising the fellows who do get results because they don't get more and better results and because they don't get them more quickly. If these knockers would become boosters they would make it much easier for the executives of the labor movement to achieve the results which all are hoping for. The man who does nothing but criticise is a detriment to any movement and brings misery to those about him. The Advance Advocate.

Once there was a barber who was eager to become a farmer, so he bought a farm and moved onto it in October, and in March he moved back to town, disgusted with farm life because for five months it was, as he said, "all outgo and no income." There are many maintenance-of-way employes who join the Brotherhood and then, like the barber, get impatient to reap a crop before any seeds are planted. It has been remarked a few hundred times before that it takes time, patience, money and some common sense to effectively organize any class of wage-earners and obtain for them recognition and a trade agreement, and maintenance-of-way employes are no exception to the rule, though some of them seem to think otherwise.-Advance Advocate.

Organizations, like individuals, predict their own destiny. The possibilities of progressive achievement are indicated by the

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quality of the "rank and file" rather than by any numerical strength. The enlargement of the unit carries with it the hope and all the hope of the aggregation. preach in favor of efficient and progressive clerkship. We preach in favor of promoting in the individual a strict and constant sense of duty before we dare elaborate upon our collective rights. From the standpoint of a high quality of workmanship, of duty faithfully performed, we dare defend cur rights, and, from this standpoint, we will, against all opposition, secure them.

W. J. E.

Only one new lodge has been established since the December Clerk was issued, viz.: Pueblo, Colo., No. 203. This is due to the holiday distractions which caused the postponement of several others that were about ready for being instituted.

Interest in the movement toward increased growth is beginning to revive rapidly now and the prospects for the future are very bright and encouraging.

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According to accident bulletin No. 22, issued by the Interstate Commerce Commissicn, covering the three months ending December 31, 1907, there were 20,944 persons killed and injured on the railroads of the United States-an increase of 1,094 over the proceding three months of the same year. These figures include both passengers and employees. The number of passengers killed was 180, the largest number in any quarter since that ending with September, 1904.

The report shows that there were 2,226 collisions and 1,739 derailments causing a loss of $3.099.228, and through which 454 persons were killed and 4,477 were injured.

Skilled workmanship in any craft obtains primary consideration. The investment of capital in labor ponders the question of quality as well as quantity. Veneered goods are not in demand, and the veneer of particular individuals may be organization. This statement emanating from a Journal committed to the interests of "Unionism" might be construed as a damaging admission, but it readily becomes an asset when we add that our efforts shall be directed towards the raising of the general standard of workmanship. The weak shall be encouraged. Of the commodity called "Labor," unicnism would bring to the market only a

first class article. We would institute a propoganda educational in nature in favor of a higher class of clerkship, and we invite all to a beautiful and necessary participation.

W. J. E.

Fortunately, six or seven Kansas City Aldermen cannot prevent the people of Kansas City from learning that Mayor Tom Johnson, of Cleveland, has gained three-cent street railway fares for the people of his city. The Lower House minority in our Council has served the home corporations as well as it could, but this news from Cleveland shows how really impotent the interests" are when it comes to balking the people's rights. Kansas City is going to have a Public Utilities commission of its own, to find out the specific facts of its own situation, but in the meantime the cause of publicity is forging merrily along, and the people are learning from Cleveland, New York, Chicago and elsewhere what the public service corporations can be made to do when public opinion is aroused and informed. Kansas City Times.

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"Hundreds of Italian laborers employed on the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis railroad, near Baltimore, went on strike as a result of a cut in their wages announced by the company. From $1.75 a day the

laborers were to be forced to work for the reduction to $1.50. Following the information to this effect given out by the foreman of the road the laborers took the handles from their picks, tied red bandanna handkerchiefs to them and marched down the length of the division enlisting strikers from the ranks of the American workers. Persuasion on the part of the company officials and threats from the police officials were all to no avail. The strikers were peaceably inclined."

The non-union printers in this city don't seem to have as much manhood as the despised "dago." The "dago" will demand fair treatment occasionally, the "rat" never. -The Union Bulletin, Cincinnati.

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Miscellaneous.

INDIANAPOLIS JOINT UNION MEETING

-POLITICAL ACTION URGED.

On Sunday, November 24, '07, one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings that has ever assembled under the auspices of the railway labor organizations, was heid in Indianapolis. The meeting was arranged for jointly by the O. R. C., B. of L. E., B. of L. F. and E., B. of R. T. and O. R. T.

The ladies of the auxiliaries and societies of the different organizations turned out in force, and by the charm and influence of their presence, as well as by their kind thoughtfulness in providing refreshments in abundance, added most substantially to the success and enthusiasm of the cccasion.

Bro. J. D. Posey, of Div. 103, O. R.C., presided. The speakers of the occasion, in the order in which they spoke, were as fol lows: Bro. L. B. Waltz, of the O. R. C., of Evansville; Bro. J. F. McNamee, editor and manager of the B. of L. F. and E. Magazine; Bro. Theodore Perry, State Chairman of the Indiana State Federation of Labor; Bro. Fred L. Feick, Chairman of the In diana Legislative Committee of the B. of R. T.; Bro. J. J. Dermody, Fourth Vice-PresiIdent of the O. R. T.; Bro. W. R. Rutledge. Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Interurban Trainmen; Bro. Walter Copsey, of the O. R. C. and the B. of L. F. and E.; Bro. T. R. Dodge, First Vice Grand Master of the B. of R. T.; Bro. Wm. Clark, Third VicePresident of the O. R. C., and Mr. W. L. Taylor, former attorney general of Indiana.

The exercises were opened with an ad dress of welcome by Chairman Posey, who then introduced the Rev. Frank O. Ballard, of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, who offered prayer. The Ladies of the B. of L. E. Auxiliary then sang as an opening ode "America," Sister McKibben presiding at the piano.

Bro. Waltz, who was the first speaker, dwelt upon the necessity of railroad men exercising their political influence to protect

railroad interests in general from the evils of unfair, radical and unjustifiable legislation. He also pointed out the necessity for railroad men taking united action in securing, for their own protection, such legislation as would insure railroad employes a square deal in all matters. Bro. Waltz's remarks were characterized all through by logical and convincing argument.

Brother McNamee, who spoke next, represented Grand Master Hannahan, the latter being at the time engaged in very import ant Joint Protective Board work and unable to attend the meeting. After complimenting the ladies on the noble mission of their organizations, and the good they had accomplished, Bro. McNamee delivered a practical and entertaining talk, which he subdivided under three heads, viz.: "organization," "co-operation" and "the proper use of the ballot," which conditions he declared were essential to the success of the labor movement. He advised that party politics be dropped, and that individual members vote for individual candidates for office, regardless of partisan affiliations. He said that it would soon be time to nominate candidates for the governorship of Indiana, and that they should endeavor to elect a gov ernor who thought as much of the man who works for a living as of the man with wealth. "We must encourage the nomination of men of that kind," he added, "on both tickets, and then, regardless of which one is successful, our rights will be properly conserved." He compared the unity of action prevailing amongst the building trades organizations with the degree of co-operation which characterizes the relations of the various railroad labor organizations to ward each other, and declared that such a condition was as essential to the complete success of the railroad brotherhoods in protecting and advancing the interests of their members as it is to that of the building trades.

In conclusion, Bro. McNamee said that if it were clearly demonstrated that an

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