of railroad employees is a fair average for the whole country. This being true, it would appear that money wages will not now average more than 20 per cent higher than they averaged ten years ago.

But the cost of living has most certainly gone up 40 per cent since July, 1896. This means that wages have risen only half as fast and half as much as have prices. It means that, whereas $1.40 is now required to buy what $1 bought in 1896, the average workingman has only $1.20 with which to purchase what sells for $1.40. It means that there is a tremendous "rakeoff" left for somebody.-Moody's Magazine.

A WINNING FIGHT.

The success attending the printers in their tenacious struggle for the eight-hour day and other improved working conditions, together with the exceedingly small percentage of membership losing out, is a surprise to the most optimistic-to say nothing of its force as an object lesson to the remainder of the labor world. It is a clear demonstration of the effect of co-operation along sound business lines.

Here is a record of which the International Typographical Union may well boast: Approximately ninety-one per cent of its entire membership is today enjoying the eighthour day; five per cent on strike and four per cent employed under unexpired contracts, many of which will terminate during the next month or so, when those who are working under the terms of such contracts will strive for the same concessions as are now enjoyed by the majority of the membership. By July 1, 1907, it is hoped that not less than ninety-five per cent of the entire union will be employed under conditions which permit of the short working day and Sunday rest.

This fight has been made possible by the unfaltering fidelity of the union printers and a well-managed system of strike assessment wherein the fortunate ones succored the unfortunate, and as the antagonistic shops decreased in number and the working membership increased, the assessments were lowered and lowered until today they are but 2 per cent of the total wages earned.

In addition to this splendid system of strike assessments, there was a large corps of organizers kept continuously in the field for the purpose of encouraging the men on

strike and sustaining and building up arguments which eventually destroyed those of the opposition.

Here is one of the best examples of loyal unionism ever manifested in the labor world. There is now no doubt as to the final outcome and the victory which will crown this magnificent fight-Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine.

CAUSES OF CAR SHORTAGE AND ILL

FEELING.

The

Mr. Lane, of the Interstate Commerce Commission, says: "In my examination into the question of car shortage, I have found when I got close up to things that the worst conditions always existed on roads where there was a lack of esprit de corps. elaborate organization of the modern railroad has tended to remove one department from another and to destroy all personal relationship between the superior and inferior employees with the result that the men lose a sense of interdependency and all pride in their work, both of which are essential to railroad operation."

Mr. Garfield, Commissioner of Corporations, writes: "The petty annoyances, such as failure on the part of the ordinary traveler and shipper to obtain accurate information regarding the movement of trains or freight, are often more far-reaching in creating ill feeling than matters of really great importance. The right kind of loyalty to the railroad company on the part of its employees necessarily means such treatment of the public as will establish relationships of confidence and co-operation. If such relations exist, the unreasonable traveler or shipper will find but little sympathy."

WHY ORGANIZED LABOR LIVES. The cause of organized labor lives not for the present alone, but for the future, with its basic existence firmly fixed in the hopes and aspirations of the toilers for equitable conditions of justice and right. Its high and noble purpose is to create a healthier public opinion, and that its efforts are being crowned with success is to be seen in the accelerated stimulation of thought aroused among all people. Not even the bitterest antagonism can break down the rock of its hope, to which holds the hearts of the wage earning masses, and nothing can impede its march nor defeat its purposes but treachery

in its corps of membership. Its advance will be just as rapid in proportion as the spirit of fraternity is developed, and its demonstrable strength shown in the willingness to bear one another's burdens manifested by individual members.-Tobacco Worker.

AGAINST LABOR UNIONISM. Southern Pacific's Hostility Admitted Before

Arbitration Board.

San Francisco, Cal., April 4.-Hostility of the Southern Pacific Company to organized labor unions among its employees of a certain rank was admitted yesterday before the arbitration board, which is considering the demands made by the telegraphers by W. S. Palmer, General Superintendent of the company. Palmer, in response to a question by Stanley Moore, spoke for two hours and ten minutes, giving the stenographer 17,500 words to record. Mr. Palmer said:

"The policy of the Southern Pacific can be better explained by the instructions which were given by our present general manager over a year ago to the end that no dispatcher or employe of any description could expect promotion to an official position as long as he retained his connection with a labor organization, and that so far as that is concerned, the man would not be allowed to resign in order to get that promotion at that time; that he must show his willingness to take the side of the company as against an organization, or to be absolutely independent. It is not taking sides as much as it is in the independence of the men." The railway will lose its case.-The Texas Railway Journal.

BUREAU OF LABOR.

We desire to call your attention to the very important fact that a special election will be held in August next and the questions to be voted on at that time are very important, among which will be a constitutional amendment creating a bureau of labor. Every man who works for a wage should support this amendment earnestly, for the creation of such a bureau means much to the workingmen of Texas. This is one of the necessary laws our legislative organization have sought to place on our statute books, but owing to a conflict, it has been thought best to amend the constitution,

"Attacked and denounced as scarcely any other institution ever has been, the unions have thriven and grown in the face of opposition. This healthy vitality has been due to the fact that they were a genuine product of social needs-indispensable as a protest and a struggle against the abuses of industrial government and inevitable as a consequence of that consciousness of strength inspired! by the concentration of numbers under the new conditions of industry. They have been,. as is now admitted by almost all candid minds, instruments of progress. Not to speak of the material advantages they have gained for workingmen, they have developed powerful sympathies among them, and taught them the lesson of self-sacrifice in the interest of their brethren, and, still more, of their successors. They have infused a new spirit of independence and selfrespect. They have brought some of the best men to the front, and given them the ascendancy due to their personali qualities and desirable in the interests of society."John K. Ingram, LL. D.

"For ten years," said Potter Palmer, of Chicago, "I made as desperate a fight against. organized labor as was ever made by mortal man. It cost me considerably more than a million dollars to learn that there is no labor so skilled, so intelligent, so faithful, as that which is governed by an organization whose officials are well-balanced, level-headed men

** * I now employ none but organized labor, and never have the least trouble, each believing that the one has no right to op press the other."

NO RAISE ON THE D. & R. G. Denver, April 16.-Negotiations which have been going on the last two weeks between representatives of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, the Order of Railway Conductors and the management of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad closed yesterday with the refusal of the company to grant an increase in wages on the basis of the Chicago settlement.

The employes will decide by vote whether to call a strike.-Associated Press.

ANOTHER LODGE. Lodge No. 119 of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks of the Boston & Maine system, was instituted last night with 180 charter members. The following officers were elected and installed: President, George H. Streeter; vice-president, F. W. Ruther; secretary-treasurer, E. C. Davis. The officers were installed by President Murray of Providence lodge and Organizer Bailey. Meetings will be held on the first and third Monday nights at 164 Canal street.-The Boston Traveler, April 16, 1907.

JESUS CHRIST-UNION CARPENTER.

By he Rev. Charles Stelzle.

I was asked in a public meeting recently if I thought that Jesus would become a member of the Carpenters' Union were He on earth today. Just what Christ would do in regard to organized labor in the twentieth century, no man dare prophecy. Any other man's opinion on this subject is as good as mine. But I do believe that Jesus was a member of the Carpenters' Guild of His day, which was the nearest approach to the forms of organized labor in this generation. It is also quite likely that were He to come again as a carpenter, with all that that implies a workingman's trials as well as a workingman's sympathies-He would identify Himself with. that organization which is doing most to better the conditions of all workingmen. And if He were to manifest the same spirit toward those who oppressed the poor and the helpless that He did when He was on earth in bodily form, He would probably become known as a "labor agitator."

Those who assert that Jesus would in no case identify Himself with any organization that practiced slugging or that was unfair in any particular-of which things these persons insist organized labor is guiltyforget, or do not know, that He became a member of the very organization of His day, which was guilty of everything that is today charged against organized labor. When He addressed the leaders of the scribes and Pharisees, He not only reminded them that their fathers had scourged and persecuted the prophets, that they had killed and crucified those who had been sent to them, but that they, themselves, were guilty of the most damnable sins-hypocrisy, graft, persecution. And these very leaders afterward

crucified Him for his persistent declaration that He was the Son of God, and that he had been sent to save the people. Jesus Christ was a member of that ancient organization, because-in spite of the fact that it was largely controlled by men of this type it had within it the elements of true piety and faithfulness toward God and toward men. It must, in all fairness be said today wtih reference to organized labor, that it, too, contains the elements which make for a higher type of manhood and womanhood, even though there are within its ranks some men who dishonor the cause. These must soon be eliminated, so that the movement which represents the best interests of the working people, may no longer be handicapped by unfaithful leaders.

To this end, why would it not be well to invite into membership, the man who may truly be claimed as "Labor's Champion"— Jesus Christ? Let organized labor take its stand behind Him.

for you.

Permit Him to speak

You need never again quote the political economist. Never Quote Christ. has any man more bitterly denounced the oppressor. Invite Him to sit upon your platform. Take Him into your councils. If you will, you are sure to win, for Chirst is sure to win. I have a very strong conviction that if the workingmen of the world were to claim Christ as their exponent, their leader, with all that goes with this claim, no power on earth could withstand their onward march. Does this seem visionary? Eut hasn't the church done this very thing? The true church rests absolutely and specifically upon the person of Jesus Christ. All of its progress is due to this fact. Its sacrifice as well as its victories were founded upon its faith in Christ. He is claimed today by the church as a living, personal power. Labor, too, may have Him-in the broadest, fullest sense. And when it again lays claim upon Christ, its victory is asured.

IRON MOUNTAIN No. 6.

Iron Mountain No. 6 is, considering everything, in a better condition than ever. I do not mean in quantity, but in quality. We are more prosperous. At one time we had nearly five times as many members in good standing with the Grand Lodge as we have now, but we are financially better fixed than we were at that time. We have a nice little sum in the general fund and the emergency fund we started a few months ago, consisting of donations from our members at the meeting under good of the Brotherhood, is rapidly nearing the half hundred dollar mark. No. 6 passed a resolution a few meetings ago which is worth recommending. To each member securing three new members the lodge will present

a

solid gold Brotherhood button; to each member securing seven n:w members, a solid gold Brotherhood ring will be presented, and a solid gold Brotherhood watch fob will be given to each member securing ten new members. I think this will stir them up and secure more members for the lodge.

In the April number of the Railway Clerk .I notice a resolution by our brothers from El Paso, inviting discussion on eligibility to our Brotherhood. Our worthy Grand President answered, and it would be presumptious on my part to "butt in," after the very able remarks of our worthy Grand President, but, even being thought presumptious, I cannot withstand the desire to make a few remarks on this question. Personally, I am of the same opinion as our brethren from El Paso, but fortunately, although being called a bunch of arguments by my friends, I can change or modify my opinion if convinced, by good, sound reasons. Our worthy Grand President has given very nearly all the reasons, more ably than I could give them, which converted me, and it is my desire to give you the proceedings of Iron Mountain Lodge No. 6 to keep the undesirable members out. We demand the sum of one dollar to accompany every application, in order to reimburse us for our trouble and stationery, if the candidate does not appear within a reasonable time, which is three months. In appointing investigat

ing committees, не take members from other offices than where the candidate is from, having them especially investigate as to the efficiency at the particular work, the candidate is assigned to. We are very strict in this respect, and have rejected several candidates. Iron Mountain Lodge No. 6 can boast of having nothing but good, efficient railway clerks as members, and the majority of them are not only efficient at their special work, but they can go at any other clerical branch of the railway service and do good, efficient work with credit to the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, and that is one thing we are striving for. It is entirely with the local lodges to keep the undesirable members out. You have the ballot box, you have the black balls; use them and the question is settled.

Again I would like to call the attention of those brothers who do not attend the meetings to the fact that they are doing an injustice to themselves, their families and to the officers of the lodge. Wake up, brothers. Come to the meeings; bring in new members and do some of the other work. Only through hard work and united efforts will we be able to secures a schedule, better salaries and better conditions.

Brothers of No. 6, do not forget the Ladies' Auxiliary. Have wife, mother, sisters and daughters join. A good way to make them acquainted is to come to Eckart's Hall, Cherokee Street and Texas Avenue, Sunday afternoon, May 19, 1907, where St. Louis Lodge No. 10, Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks give a grand prize euchre.

And don't you forget it.

ARGUMENT.

WATER VALLEY, MISS.

Water Valley Lodge No. 101, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, was organized at the Knights of Pythias Hall, this city, on February 18, 1907, by Organizer (Brother) J. C. Hamilton. The lodge was organized with eighteen charter members and the following officers were elected:

Past grand president, Earnest P. Reese.
President, Edward W. Hartwell.
Vice-president, Louis C. Hutchinson.

Financial secretary and Treasurer, Hamner F. Collins.

Recording secretary, Jerry R. Denny.
Correspondent, Hamner F. Collins.

Outer guard, Harry L. McCain.

Inner guard, Eugene Tarver.
Chaplain, Thos. L. Bennet.

Sergeant-at-arms, Marcus C. Woods. Executive board, Herbert G. Whitney, Jno. G. Skogsberg, Jas. G. Bennett,

We have had several meetings since organizing, and on last meeting night took in two new members, and expect to take in as many more next meeting night. We meet regularly on Thursday nights, at present in Union Labor Hall. We expect to accomplish much and the boys are all taking much interest in the Brotherhood, and each meeting night finds most of the members on hand. We are now getting the work down smoothly and hope to have one of the best equipped lodges in the state. Our officers are all good business men and take very active part in the work.

We will send a representative from this lodge to the convention which meets in Jackson, Miss., April 21st.

All the members of this lodge are employed in the mechanical and transportation departments of the Illinois Central Railroad.

Will close for this time, but will try and have something interesting and beneficial next time you hear from No. 101. We are right in for everything that will advance the interests of the Brotherhood and hope to see the time ere long when we will look to the railroads like the "Rock of Gibraltar." With best wishes,

CORRESPONDENT.

PROVIDENCE LOCAL 103.

Several important matters claimed the attention of the members of this local at their last meeting, which was a record-breaker for the rapidity in which business was transacted, bringing our president, Brother Murray, a number of congratulations for his celerity. Considerable interest was manifested by the lodge members in the preliminary work of the new degree team. Capt. Hathaway reserved the full exemplification until the night we visited our sister lodge. thinking to surprise the members. To quote the notice that appeared in the Evening News the next night, the team looked "spick and span." To us their work meant a great

deal more than that. for we hope that through them in no small degree will the interest in lodge work be stimulated. They are certainly to be congratulated on their soldierly bearing and business-like appearance and the precision with which the intricate evolutions are marked out denote their interest and hard work.

When the time arrives for their services for the institution of new lodges Brothers Connolly, Johnson, Bishop, Munkittrick and Rogers are here for the asking.

All eyes in the East are on our organizer, Brother Bailey, at present, and we learn that he is not found wanting in his new position, for letters have been and are still being received from the territory he has covered in his assignment that evinces a more than passing interest in the Brotherhood and which shows that the seed of fraternity among our craft is being well sown. The harvest will be reaped in due