SOME HOMELY SUGGESTIONS.
By the Rev. Charles Stelzle.

"I cannot toast that flag, while trades unionism exists in this country." So, it is reported, said a speaker at an employers' banquet recently. Compared with this pharasaical utterance, should be another statement, said to have been made by President Roosevelt: "I was surprised, during the Spanish war, to find how large a number of dead soldiers were identified by the trades union cards which were found in their pockets." Further comment seems

unnecessary.

ORDER OF RAILROAD TELEGRAPHERS.

The following editorial from "The Railroad Telegrapher," for January, is reprinted because of the instruction that may be gained therefrom-as to the duties of committees and members and the necessity for prompt, earnest and determined attention to all such duties-as well as for its interesting information, regarding the growth and successes of the order. Every member of the B. of R. C. should read it carefully and profit thereby:

The Year 1906.

The history of another year has been written, and its pages contain much that is of interest to the members of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers, and to the Railroad Telegraphers of the United States, Canada, and Mexico in general. The year just closed has been a banner one for the Order. Its membership has materially increased, and last, but of no less importance, the schedule negotiations conducted during that period have resulted in adding more than one million dollars to the payroll of those affected, not taking into consideration the reduced hours, better working conditions, and additional compensation received by them through the operation of the overtime clauses. The number of schedule negotiations completed during the year 1906 was forty-nine, which breaks all previous records. The phenomenal showing of the organization in the matter of schedule work has not been exceeded by any brotherhood in the country. Much credit is due to the officers and members of the various General Committees for their activity in behalf of those represented. Credit is also due to the membership for the support they have given their committees during the last year. There are two essential factors necessary to the success of the organization on any line of railway: First, a membership that will loyally and actively support its committee. Second, an active and energetic General Committee. The necessity of the

membership loyally and actively supporting the General Committee is of paramount importance. It matters not how active a committee may be in behalf of the membership it represents, that committee can accomplish but little or nothing, unless it is accorded the active and loyal support of the membership represented. There are times in negotiations when committees are contending for something for their constituents to which they are entitled, and which contentions are being strenuously resisted by the management, when it is necessary for the committee to know their exact standing with the membership. A committee that has the active and loyal support of the membership represented by it, is in a position to continue its contentions until the point sought for is gained, but a committee which has reason to doubt the support that will be accorded it by the membership, is indeed in an unfortunate position. Committees are oftentimes subjected to severe criticism on account of failure to secure a strong schedule, yet perhaps they were entirely blameless in the matter. Unless the committee is backed up by the membership in all matters, they are not in a position to hold out for concessions desired, but on the other hand, can only make their arguments for them, and if they meet with resistance, must drop the matter or make as good a compromise as possible. In many cases committees during negotiations submit questions to the membership for an expression of opinion, and here, generally speaking, is the weak link in the organization, and there is no possible excuse for its existence.

Where questions have been submitted to the membership, generally speaking, the number of replies received have been very small as compared to the number that should have been received. It has been found that a great many members in these instances failed to reply, arguing in their own minds that they would leave the matter to the committee, and stand by them

in whatever they did. Members who argue along these lines, defeat the very thing for which the committee is contending. It probably has never occurred to them, but, nevertheless, it is true, that when a committee submits a proposition to the membership for an expression of opinion, if they fail to receive replies from a large percentage of the membership, they naturally feel the membership does not support them in their contentions. They could not believe otherwise.

It has often been stated in these colmuns, and it will bear repeating, that the organization is what the membership makes it. When a General Committee submits a proposition to its membership for an expression of opinion or vote, it is the bounden duty of every member to promptly reply to such communication, and if they fail to do so, on those members must rest the odium of any failure in the negotiation, because, when a proposition has been submitted to the membership by the General Committee, that committee is bound to act upon the instructions of those they represent, and if the membership fails to give them instructions, the committee can only feel that they are not interested, and let the matter drop. The editor desires to take advantage of this opportunity to urge upon the membership to promptly reply to every communication received from General Committees, and every officer of the Order. Unless this is done those who are serving them can only feel that those who fail to reply to communications are not interested in the matter then under consideration.

Material progress has been made towards the $75.00 minimum, about which so much has been written. During the year 1906 a $55.00 minimum was established on a number of roads running out of Chicago, and, no doubt, will be generally instituted on all the leading lines of railways during the year 1907.

Material progress has also been made toward the establishment of the eight-hour day on railroads. Large numbers of offices on the various lines of railways have been put on an eight-hour basis, and efforts in this direction will be continued. Probably the greatest stride toward the eighthour day was made on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, which negotiations were closed during the month of December, and through which one-third of all positions on

Thus it will be seen that another year ended in a blaze of glory, from a membership standpoint. The great increase in membership is directly attributable to the individual efforts of the membership, and through the same efforts the goal of thorough organization, which is so nearly at hand, will be reached, and as every new member added to the membership roll adds new momentum to the cause of better working conditions, and more pay, no member should relax his efforts in the least in assisting to establish a state of thorough organization in every section of the coun

try.

The schedule negotiations, which, as stated, exceeded in number those for any other year in the history of the Order were, it will be observed, on most of the important railway lines in the country.

New and revised schedules were secured during the year 1906 on the following lines of railways:

Bangor & Aroostook.
Baltimore & Ohio.
Norfolk & Western.
Southern.

New York, New Haven & H.
New York, Chicago & St. Louis.
Atlantic Coast Line.
Central of Georgia.

Richmond, Fredericksburg & P.
Illinois Central.

Baltimore & Ohio South Western.
Delaware & Hudson.

Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo.
Georgia Railroad.

Bessemer & Lake Erie.

Yazoo & Mississippi Valley.
Maine Central.

Queen & Crescent, North.
Quebec & Lake St. John.
Missouri Pacific.

St. Louis & Louisville Lines, Southern Railway.

Gulf & Ship Island.

Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City. Soaboard Air Line.

Pennsylvania.

Duluth, South Shore & A.

Long Island.

Union Pacific.

Iowa Central.

C., B. & Q. (W. U. Coms.)
Central New England.
Minneapolis & St. Louis.
Pittsburg & Lake Erie.

Michigan Central.

Chicago Great Western.

Chicago, St. Paul, M. & O.
Chicago & Northwestern.
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul.
Frisco (W. U. Coms.)
Chicago & Eastern Illinois.
Boston & Maine.

New York Central.

Washington Co. Ry.

Baltimore & Ohio.

C., R. I. & P.

Chesapeake & Ohio.

Houston & Texas Central.
Pere Marquette.

Wabash.

The year 1907 brings with it new responsibilities and new hopes. It has become a common custom for General Committees to meet annually for the purpose of revising their schedules. The work performed by the General Committees during the year 1906 will, following out this custom, be repeated during the year 1907, when another step toward better conditions and more pay will be taken. No schedule was ever made and none revised that did not carry with it improved conditions, and by following out the custom of General Committees meeting annually, the conditions of those affected will be bettered each year, which may be likened unto an annual procession toward better conditions. Some committees make

greater strides than others in this direction, dependent entirely upon the support that is given them by the membership, therefore, it would seem timely to suggest, and, in fact, urge, that every member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers begin the new year with a firm resolution to faithfully and actively support his General Committee in all its laudable undertakings and to assist it in every way possible.

The telegraphers' conditions, both from a working and remunerative standpoint, although more than one hundred per cent better than they were a few years ago, which improved conditions have been brought about through organization, are not yet on a parity, or anywhere near it, with em. ployes in the train service, although the telegraphers' responsibilities are greater than those in any other department. To sit around and complain of these conditions does not remedy them. The other employes in the train service are not getting more than they are entitled to. The telegraphers are not getting enough. Their hours are too long, and they are required to do too much work foreign to their profession. Their condition has been materially bettered dur ing the last few years through organization; through the same method they will continue to be improved until their profession is placed on a plane where it belongs. It is a business proposition. Thorough organization and continued agitation will bring about the desired result. Every member must do his share.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

El Paso, Texas, Jan. 19, 1907. Although conscious of our inability to convey by any words which we may choose our profound appreciation of the services rendered by our Grand President in the effort to bring the late strike to a successful issue, we are none the less convinced that it is our duty to endeavor to express this appreciation, since our minds and hearts prompt us to do so; therefore, be it

Resolved, That El Paso Lodge No. 13, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, hereby make known to our much esteemed Grand President, Brother Wilbur Braggins, that al of his actions meet with our hearty approval and that we assure him of our continued support and devotion in all his undertakings.

We realize that in this, our first effort to

secure the rights accorded to other branches of railway labor, we found it necessary to oppose one of the wealthiest and most unyielding corporations in the world, and, if we have not succeeded, we find happiness in the reflection that no one can truthfully charge our Order with weakness. We maintained our position with firmness while there was hope of success, and we are well aware that it is largely due to the efforts of our Grand President that our line remained unbroken during twelve weeks of ceaseless struggle. The burden of responsibility bore heavily on our worthy Grand President throughout those days and weeks of hope deferred, and those of us who did not share this responsibility can but feebly comprehend its weight.

As the foremost representative of our Order, one pre-eminently qualified to enunciate our claims, voice our aspirations, and contend for the recognition and consideration we merit, and will ultimately obtain, we unanimously pledge our loyal and steadfast support to our honored Grand President. Respectfully and fraternally, Members of El Paso Lodge No. 13, Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. Attest; J. J. FINNEY Secretary.

Kansas City Mo.

Jan. 31 1907.

To the Officers and Members of El Paso Lodge, No. 13,

El Paso, Texas.

Dear Brothers:-The receipt of the resolutions adopted by you, expressing approval of my efforts in connection with the recent strike and assuring me of your continued confidence and support affected me more deeply than I shall try to tell.

The sentiments embodied in those resolutions and the condition presented were directly in contrast with those against which I have had to strenuously contend during the past three months, and the change is most gratifying and timely. Though the strength of my conviction that our cause is just and certain of ultimate success has kept me from feeling discouraged, yet the fact that I have been subjected to personal censure by some of the uninformed and inconsiderate members because of conditions for which they and their fellow-members were responsible; because the organization is young and therefore had not accumulated enough funds to allow full payment of strike benefits in accordance with our laws; be

cause all members of the organization were not generous and loyal enough to promptly pay their strike assessment; because regardless of these and all other reasons I did not produce the money desired; because I would not do some things which the majority of those to be affected disapproved of and because I did do others which the majority favored; these and many more unmerited criticisms did have a very depressing effect upon me and I was nearly beginning to lose the kindliness of feeling toward and patience with my fellow toilers which my judgment and my philosophy tells me is due them in justice to us all.

These trials however, have all been experienced by the other classes of employes under similar circumstances and they are but incidental to the process of educational development to the point where we may effectively use our united influence and strength to gain opportunities and rights equal to those enjoyed by our fellow-men.

No censure or criticism is due any member who participated in the conduct of the strike because of any lawful act in connection therewith; some mistakes may have been made and probably were made but they were comparatively few, of little effect and unimportant. The purpose and earnest desire of each one was to do what he believed would best promote our object and the interests of the Brotherhood; and it is the intent together with the attending circumstances, by which we should be judged instead of by the results of our efforts.

It is indeed encouraging to know that so many members recognize the sincerity of our purpose and the fact that failure to gain complete success was not due to lack of proper effort or to bad management; and I feel sure that such is the verdict of almost the entire membership.

While it is pleasant to receive your praises of my efforts in connection with the strike, I must, in justice to all concerned, myself included, assure you that the credit for the good record made is due almost wholly to the striking clerks themselves; to them individually and collectively is due the meed of praise for their steadfast adherence to purpose and principle under such trying conditions. Some who were not in the employ of the Southern Pacific railway, are entitled to much praise for untiring effort to aid and encourage their striking