MARION NO. 30.

Marion, Ohio, Dec. 13, 1907. Dear Brother and Editor:

Your readers will perhaps be interested to learn that you have another lodge in your midst, in Marion, Ohio, Lodge No. 30, which was instituted by Brother Forrester, on the evening of December 13, with fifteen charter members.

The following officers were elected and installed:

President, Nathan Ranck.

Vice-President, B. Barshares.
Secretary, Fred B. Scherff.

Treasurer, H. C. Paddock.

Sergeant-at-Arms, H. R. Johnston.
Chaplain, Howard Beicher.

Executive Board-Fred C. Bacon, president;
W. H. Shelton, Earle Sargent.
Inner Guard, H. F. Weber.
Outer Guard, H. H. Norris.

For an infant lodge, we do not want too much to say, but cannot help feeling that within the next 60 days we will have our membership doubled.

Brother Forrester, after taking us through the secret work, gave a very interesting talk to the brothers, and should we be able to have as worthy a brother as Brother Forrester among us all the time, I feel that we should be one of the topnotchers; for he is a brother who puts forth every effort for the good of the order, and on motion, which carried, Brother Forrester was extended a vote of thanks for the hard work and good he has done for our local.

On motion of the entire lodge, it was decided to hold our meetings the first and third Tuesday nights of each month, in the Railway Trainmen's Hall on South Main street, which will be our permanent headquarters; and all visiting brothers will always find a welcome here.

Hoping that the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks will continue to grow, not only in a financial way, but many others, and that we may have a nice report for The Clerk next month, I am,

Fraternally yours,

FRED B. SCHERFF, Sec'y,
Marion Lodge No. 30.

JACKSON, TENN., NO. 104. Mr. R. E. Fisher, G. S. & T.,

Kansas City, Mo.

Dear Sir and Brother: Local No. 104 has been quiet with notes in the journal for several months but by no means has our lodge work been quiet; we organized in February with 13 charter members. Since that time we have been working very quietly but effectively, for our roll call claims 38 loyal members, and we still have several prospects who will soon join us. The outlook for the coming year is fine; we are all satisfied with the past year's work, and as the new year,

1908, comes in we hope to start with it and make 1908 the banner year in the history of the B. of R. C. I don't think you can find a lodge anywhere where each and every member takes a more active part than the boys in Local 104.

Each member has employment at present and our financial condition is good. We are going to give a skating tournament Friday December 13th, and expect to make a neat little sum for our treasury. We have affiliated with the Jackson Trades Council and I think it a wise step for it gives us more protection and help in our great struggle for recognition and justice. As each railway clerk knows there is no limit to our working hours, and we often have to come back at night to finish some report and at the first of each month it is the settled fact of several night's work; and do we get any overtime for it? "No." Is that fair? We, the common clerks are the only class of railway employees in the service today that do not get pay for overtime.

Now as the new year starts in let each and every one of us try to be punctual in our attendance; to pay our dues regularly and to show our fellow clerks the advantages he can have by joining us.

Hoping this will escape the waste basket for it has been some time since anything from Local 104 has been published. Yours fraternally,

To The Railway Clerk:

Thinking it well to send a few notes and items from No. 109 to let the Brotherhood know that we are still alive, will say that at our last meeting, two candidates were initiated in the presence of a goodly number of members.

The night force, to the number of nineteen got together and spread a midnight feast, consisting of turkey and all manner of good things to eat in abundance.

The President, Mr. F. M. Block was surprised by receiving a special invitation and despite the lateness of the hour, for day men, he promptly responded and in a neat speech complimented the members present for the good fellowship and good cheer and suggested that social lunches would be very acceptable and promote and bind closer the ties of our Brotherhood, if given oftener.

It would not be a bad thing for all locals to have a few little gatherings of a social order, now and then. It would, no doubt be the means of reaching new members and promoting an interest that could not otherwise be done.

L. HODGE.

"A Merry Christmas and a Very Prosperous New Year" is the sentiment at the present time; and have you earned the privilege of enjoying a "Merry Christmas;" have you accomplished anything in this past year which is a credit to you? Have you assisted your fellowmen to the best of your ability? Have you been true to yourself d well as to others? If you have any of these to your credit, your Christmas is bound to be merry and your New Year will be a prosperous one, because you possess the right spirit to make it so; you will be glad to take up your part of the other's burden and try to find a remedy.

When you shake another's hand and wish them the compliments of the season it will be sincere and heartfelt and the recipient of your good wishes will recognize them as being heartfelt and his or her Christmas will be merrier in consequence.

Wailings and complaints are heard on all sides on account of the financial flurry and people as a general rule are predicting hard times for 1908, and so it will prove to be unless the bread winner asserts his rights.

The packers are buying hogs at 31⁄2 cents per hundred pounds on foot and the consumer pays 30 cents a pound for bacon. Times are hard and will continue to be so as long as corporations and trusts are powerful enough to dictate both buying and selling prices.

Be not a bird of evil omen. Do not predict hard times for 1908, but ally yourself with the Brotherhood representing your craft and when the time comes be amongst those who have been tried and not found wanting.

Make 1908 a great and prosperous year for your Brotherhood and Ladies' Auxiliary both financially and numerically; for remember when they flourish and prosper it will then only be a question of a short time until your conditions will be bettered. Do

not be a laggard, waiting to see it get a good start or waiting to see what it will do. for those who have joined, but join today and help to make conditions such that each and every one in your knowledge will realize the true meaning of the words "A Merry Christmas and a Very Prosperous New Year."

"A Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year" is the sincere wish of the Ladies' Auxiliary to every member of the B. of R.

C.

We wish to assure you of our deep appreciation of kindnesses and courtesies extended in the past, and, although we have not increased our membership to any great extent, we have been assured of your hearty co-operation and expect to find our ambitions more than realized in 1908.

Asking each brother for his individual assistance in assisting us in our efforts to make the L. A. an organization to be proud of, and assuring each and all of our best wishes for a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," we beg to remain,

Fraternally yours,

LADIES' AUXILIARY TO B. of R. C.

CHRISTMAS GIVING.

As the happy Christmas time draws near the very atmosphere seems to breathe "Good will to man," that "wondrous song the angels sang," so many centuries ago, above the birthplace of Him whose influence throughout all Christian lands is most strongly felt as this great anniversary draws near, so universally and joyously celebrated.

And as the Savior came as God's best gift to man, it is appropriate that on the day of his coming in each recurring year we give our best gifts to our loved ones.

Words are too poor to express our appreciation of gifts from the heart, that represent so much of loving thought and self

sacrifice. And how little do we prize the gifts that are not prompted by love-the duty gifts, the perfunctory presents that are made because it is thought by the senders that they are expected, in return for one received, or because a gift is anticipated from the recipient.

The occasion should not be desecrated by such sordid gifts and thoughts. A Christmas gift should be a loving gift.

Note how spontaneously the childheart responds to the true spirit of the season. Ask to whom he will send gifts and he replies only with the names of those he loves, first the nearest and dearest, then his loving thought enlarges until the circle grows beyond his reach.

Let us all become as little children and send gifts only from the heart. And if, as with the child, the circle grows beyond the reach of our handiwork or our purses, we may at least send words of love and friendly greeting-white winged messages that will be wafted in to our friends on the Christmas tide, and tell them they are still enshrined in our hearts.

Especially should we make a "Merry Christmas" for the children, who are so easily made happy. And remember "the least of these", for whom His work of love can only be done through human hearts and hands.

Is it not a most beautiful and solemn thought, that our every impulse to kindly acts may be in direct response to the prayer of some afflicted or lonely one, whose cry to the great All Father is answered through our means?

Thus, good friends, may we all observe, create and enjoy a most blessed and "Merry Christmas."-The Farmer's Wife.

WHAT IS MONEY.

To the query, "What is money anyway?" the following answers are made:

Money is the loudest sound in the voice of life.

The most effective substitute for brains. A provider for everything but happiness; a passport to everywhere but Heaven. Something that always gets the glad

hand.

Money is the most difficult road to cultivate.

The best talking machine.

That which women look for while men sleep.

Members of Brotherhood of Railway Clerks -Greeting:

Again I come with my appeal to the members of the B. of R. C. to help us to organize lodges of the Ladies' Auxiliary. Do you know that we are in existence and what you have done individually to help us organize and increase our membership?

June and the convention will soon be here, and will we be compelled to ask there to be disbanded, or will you start in today and help build us up? Brothers, we need your assistance, and let it not be said that we have appealed to you in vain.

Nothing of any consequence can be ac complished until you are thoroughly organized, and where can you begin this work better or to a greater advantage than in your own home? So resolve today to interest your wife, mother, sisters and daughters in the Ladies' Auxiliary.

With greetings and best wishes to each and every member, I beg to remain, Very sincerely and fraternally, JOSEPHINE S. FISHER, Grand President L. A. to B. of R. C.

ent people and projects over in your meetings, and make a memorandum of these things so you may present them to the convention.

Would also suggest that every lodge be supplied with "Roberts' Parliamentary Rules," and have these rules read, explained and put into use in your lodge room, so that your lodge will be conducted properly and also that your delegate will be well posted and consequently come to the convention well equipped to act and vote for the good of the order.

In conclusion, would advise that every lodge give an entertainment of some kind in the near future, the proceeds of which will go toward defraying the expenses of your delegate to the Toledo convention.

This may all seem very previous, but, as this is all vital to your lodge it should not be gone over hurriedly. It is the questions and stumbling blocks that come up from time to time that should be brought up before the convention.

Greetings to all officers and members, and with best wishes, I beg to remain,

Very sincerely and Fraternally,
JOSEPHINE S. FISHER,
Grand President.

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

This is the gladdest month of the year, the world over. It is the holiday month for all those who believe in the Christian religion. We have other holidays, to be sure. They come at all times of the year and are properly celebrated, but there are none for which such preparations are made as for Christmas. It is the one holiday of all the year which is a gift day. Weeks before, everyone is thinking about presents for friends and relatives.

Children look forward to the Christmas tree for weeks. They never tire of speculating on what Santa Claus will bring them. How eagerly they inspect their stockings on Christmas morning. All of these pleasant customs should be encouraged. They help to make life brighter for the children, who will soon enough encounter trials and troubles. Let them have all the pleasure they can out of the Christmas festival.

Christmas means much to all. The student has a well-earned rest from school or college. The business man reaps a harvest from the Christmas shoppers.

The

busy housewife is busier than ever. Everybody is happier than usual and here is where the good comes from the Christmas celebration.

It is well that there is one time of the year when we forget our selfishness and devote our energies to making other people glad. Rich and poor come nearer to each other at Christmas than any other time, and the generosity of the former does much to ease the hardships of the latter.

Now a word as to Christmas gifts. Do not try to outdo your neighbors. Give within your means. Being generous does not mean that it is necessary to stint yourself for months in order to make Christmas presents that are too expensive.

In order to be happy at Christmas we must use common sense just as at any other season of the year.-People's Popular Monthly.

THE TOILER.

By Adelbert Clark.

Let the world with scorn and laughter,
Doubt the work your heart would do!
Still keep climbing Life's steep ladder,
For there's more in life for you.
He who lets the mocking people
Turn him with their jests and sneers,

Only finds a path of brambles

Mingled with a shower of tears.
In this life, the sweetest roses
Blossom in the human heart,
If we keep away the meddlers

That would tear the leaves apart.
Courage, pain and firm endeavor,
Lo, the toiler must employ,
Ere he gains the golden harvest
That will crown his days with joy.
Human weakness means but failure
To the toiler of the earth,
And his labor calls for boldness,

All the way through life, from birth!
We must watch the while we labor

Fearing not, the idler's voice!

On the things that we would master,
We must make a final choice.
Let the world with scorn and laughter.
Doubt the work your heart would do!
Like a soldier in the battle,

Face them with a courage true.
Let them laugh-'twill matter little
When you've reached your happy throne,
For your labor will reward you

By the courage you have shown!

3-LITTLE ROCK, ARK.Phil Phillips.

402 Scott St. G. F. Williams. 71912 Main St.

106 Pratt St.

11-SAPULPA, T.-Meets second and fourth Tuesday at Trainmen Hall, Main St. J. W. McNeel..... .President Iver C. Bennetsen... Secretary

12-MECHANICSVILLE, N. Y.

-Meets first and third Mondays, K. of P. Hall, Park avenue, 8 p. m. William St. Hart....President 315 No. Fourth St.

Harry E. Hinman...Secretary

35 So. Main St.

Secretary 13-EL PASO, TEXAS.-Meets 740 Woodville St.. E. Toledo. every Friday, O. R. C. Hall,