Never was there an army of men who fought and died on the battlefields of our great country more loyal to their cause than has been the men throughout the rank and file of the B. of L. F. and E. They are always fighting for that which is right and against that which is wrong. We younger members should feel grateful towards those who, through many years of toil, opened the path, you might say, from darkness to light, realizing, no doubt, themselves that they would likely never reap any of the benefits, but making a way for those who were to follow. I think we should stop and realize what they have done for us and put our shoulders to the wheel and press forward until the goal has been reached for which we are all striving. We have quite a number of engineers in our lodge. This is one thing we are looking out for. Brothers, even though you do reach the right side, stay with the organization that has always stood by you and still offers you the same protection. So, let's unite our efforts and make the year 1911 the banner year in the history of the organization

LODGE 728-(C. L. Pollard, Greensboro, N. C.) We have been silent so long perhaps some of the brothers think we have sunk into obscurity, but no, indeed, we are still alive and as energetic as ever and doing splendid financially. We were extremely happy until we were saddened by the Grim Reaper, who stole into our midst on March 3d and called our beloved Brother Will W. Clanton. He was one of our best and most energetic members, and will be sadly missed. To his beloved wife and dear children Lodge 728 extends its deepest sympathy, and it is our prayer that the Father in heaven will give them strength to bear up under their great sorrow.

LODGE 345 (Member, Ft. Smith, Ark.) I am glad to say that we are adding to the ranks of the old "Tried and True" right along. On Wednesday evening, January 25th, we initiated two new members and received five applications, and have several more in sight. We will soon have 135 members, and since the first of the year every one has put his shoulder to the wheel and appointed himself a committee of one to help build up

Front End Lodge. We are all proud to see our members take this stand and bring in those who need protection under our wing. There are but a few nonunion firemen left to bring in, but we will soon show them where they belong for their own good. We are glad to state that our material is all of good grade and will bear inspection and rank among the highest. I trust all members, no matter where located, will make it their business to help our Assistant President in the work he has mapped out to bring every eligible fireman into the old "Tried and True."

LODGE 779-(E. M. Harris, Little Rock, Ark.) We are doing fine and somebody is riding the goat at nearly every meeting. Business is a little dull, but it always is at this time of the year. Our engine board has been cut eleven men, but I think they will all be back at work within a short time. Now a word about the boomers and I am through. I cannot see why some of the boys are always knocking on them, as they protect our contracts and our jobs generally. I have never been one myself, but I am certainly glad that we have got that class of men. I have given them many a meal and am not sorry for it, and I wish that more of the home guards would do likewise. I am very glad to say that we have good jobs and good officials to work for, and I like the job that the good old boomers made for me.

LODGE 779-(0. D. Fults, McGehee, Ark.) I wish to say we are still living and doing nicely. Our goat gets a chance to exercise himself almost every meeting night. I regret to say that business is dull and the board has been cut, some six or seven men having been put back to firing. I expect to see a big change in business soon. We had a good meeting on April 28th, as our General Chairman, Brother J. M. Brickhouse, paid us a visit and gave us good advice. It is my belief that if such addresses were delivered regularly to all of our lodges with a view to increasing our membership there would be a much larger increase per month than we had the first quarter.

I noticed a statement in the May issue of the Magazine in regard to "Ready Made Railroad Men." Would say I know

of a certain strike where machinists were used. An ad appeared in a paper as to where men could get a job by paying tuition fees, and in this case one went to work, but the other was too much of a gentleman and left town. Now, dear brothers, it is to our interest to teach our motto, and if every member of organized labor would live strictly up to his obligation and talk more on what labor stands for we would not have so many strikebreakers.

LODGE 478.-(W. M. Taylor, Blackstone, Mass.) Business is not very good here; engineers are being set back, displacing firemen, and one does not know from one day to another what job he will have.

Our lodge, however, is still prospering and, although the goat has been resting for some time, we expect to have work for him to do again soon, as we have several requests for applications. Memorial day was observed in a striking manner by us. We secured solid bronze markers, formed committees, and marked the graves of every member deceased since the organization of the lodge in 1892, placing thereon the marker, a flag and a wreath. It is fitting that we should remember them, and it must be a solace to their relatives to know they are SO respected.

It is with deep regret that I record the sad death of Bro. Albert C. Boynton, who died on June 1st last, through shock and loss of blood, following the crushing of his right leg. There is considerable mystery as to exactly how he met with the accident which caused his death, as no one saw it, and it was only when a policeman, who was passing the station and heard the groans of the injured man, that it was discovered he had been hurt. Whether or not he fell off a train or was knocked down, it has not been determined. Brother Boynton came to Woonsocket, R. I., on May 31st, paid his dues to the financial secretary about 4:15 p. m., and met with the accident which caused his death about 12:15 a. m. Although everything possible was done to save his life, his leg being amputated, he died at 5:03 a. m. Our lodge took charge of the remains and several of our members went with them to Meredith, N. H., where he was buried. He was a good fireman, a good Brotherhood man and a good fellow.

on life.

LODGE 111-(Member, Mattoon, Ill.) Beacon lodge has taken a renewed hold Nine new members were initiated on April 19th and twenty-one applications were read and voted on, and we have the promise of a visit from Brother Moon, Organizer, within a few weeks. There are about fifty nonunion members left on our division, so Brother Moon will have plenty of material to work on while here. I am glad to say business is fair with us at present. No men were laid off on account of the passenger runs being discontinued.

A few of the brothers have organized a Relief Association, which is open to all members of Lodge 111 who are physically able. The application and initiation fees are $2.25 and the dues are $1.50, payable on or before the first day of each month. The benefit derived is $12 per week for either sickness or accident. This is something new for our lodge, and we wish the brothers to help us all they can, either by joining or insisting upon others doing so. Those wishing to learn more about the association should either see or write to our President, Brother Robert Abbott.

I am a reader of every article printed in the Magazine and would like to see our members generally pay close attention to and write more on establishing a political department in it. If the union men ever expect in any way to hold equal rights with the capitalists with respect to the forming of laws, we must have some place to express our thoughts where other brothers can read them and criticize, thereby helping each other in what is soon going to be a great struggle for the working man. Also, why can we not have a few words in our lodge room, discussing politics, as there is no subject that is of more importance to us. Let us hear from other brothers.

LODGE 203-(Member, Garrett, Ind.) Special Organizer Lynch has been here and left with a crown of success. He obligated about thirty new members during a stay of nearly a week. We appointed our local Chairman, Brother Fisher, to assist Brother Lynch during his stay with us. On Saturday night, April 15th, we gave a "smoker" in honor of Brother Lynch, and in return listened to a good talk.

Would say that the big Mikado's are doing the largest share of the work here

now. They have not been placed on switch runs yet on account of handling too hard. Brother Mutt has given them a very good name, viz., "Big Jeff."

Our power is not in good shape and is not showing signs of improvement. The Walschaerts are working five hours a day. Our coal is fair, but we can use the hook at that. Our division is being double tracked. We understand that the company intends to double track from Chicago to Philadelphia as soon as possible.

I wish to say right here that the members of 203 send congratulations to those brothers who stood for right and duty on the Queen and Crescent.

Our Joint Board has been meeting with the officials and we expect more money and better working conditions. We also had a few grievances that needed adjusting.

Let

Well, brothers, what do you think of the Sunday meeting proposition? Lodge 203 would like it if the Grand Lodge would insert a clause in our Constitution prohibiting Sunday meetings. us drop the boomer question, which has now become old. Garfield Lodge thinks that the matter of Sunday meetings should be made a general question. Do we do justice to our families by going to lodge on Sunday after being away on the road all week? The railroad companies move all their empties on Sunday, making our board very short on that day, and those that come in must take their rest. We have members also, and are proud to say so, who are members of the house of God and who will go to church before they go to a Sunday lodge meeting.

I deeply regret to state that our charter has been draped for thirty days owing to the death of Brother Robinson, who died of measles after a very short illness. He had only been married a short time. He was a newly promoted man.

LODGE 675-(E. B. Nunnally, Huntington, W. Va.) This beautiful evening I take much pleasure in writing a few lines to let our brothers know throughout the land that old Mountain State Lodge is still doing business at the same old stand.

We have a good lodge here, but at the present time not much material to work on, as business is dull and all the new boys have been laid off.

It is with deep regret I tell you of the death of Brother Robert Richie, a member of Lodge 294. On May 2 Brother Richie was firing engine 161, train No. 3, one of our fast trains on the C. & O. R. R., and when about 30 miles from Hinton, W. Va., the engine left the rails, resulting in the death of Brother Richie and Engineer C. T. Pilcher, a member of Division 190, B. of L. E. Brother Richie was a fine boy and was loved by all who knew him. He was a good Christian. About eighteen brothers from Lodges 294, 236 and 675 accompanied his remains to Petersburg, Va., where he was laid to rest, that being his native home. We wish to thank all the brothers for their great kindness at the time of his death and for the beautiful floral offerings sent to his funeral.

LODGE 485.-(A. R. Anderson, Somerville, Mass.) On Sunday, May 7th, our regular meeting day, we initiated a number of candidates. The class was not so large, but when it was explained by our worthy organizer, Bro. J. A. McBride, that about all available material had been worked up the previous year, when a very large class was initiated at our anniversary, every one was satisfied. At 1:45 p. m. a recess was declared, when all repaired to the banquet hall to partake of a maginficent repast. We then returned to the lodge room to finish the order of business, which was accomplished at 6:00

p. m.

Our regular anniversary was celebrated on Saturday evening, May 6th, by a dance and banquet given in Roughan Hall, City Square, at which Kelley's orchestra furnished the music, which was certainly delightful. The Committee of Arrangements and Floor Committee deserve great praise for the way in which everything was handled. The banquet which was served at 9:30 p. m. was composed of the best of viands, satisfying the inner man completely.

Acknowledgments.

Bro. and Mrs. W. C. Myers, Young wood, Pa., desire to thank the brothers by whom they were treated so kindly at the time of the death of their son Carl.

They also wish to thank them for the

beautiful floral emblem sent to his

funeral. Brother Myers is a member of

Lodge 601.

Mrs. Josephine Murphy, Providence, R. I., wife of Brother Michael Murphy, who was employed in the Grand Lodge office up until the time of his death, wishes to thank Brother A. H. Hawley, General Secretary and Treasurer, the clerks in the Grand Lodge office, and the Brotherhood in general for the telegrams of condolence and sympathy, and especially the officers and members of Lodge 478 (of which lodge Brother Murphy was a member), for the practi

cal assistance extended to her in her late

bereavement. She also wishes to thank the Grand Lodge for the prompt payment of Brother Murphy's claim.

The Home Account.

The following donations were received at the Home for Aged and Disabled Railroad Employes for the month of May, 1911:

B. of. L. F. and E. Lodges,

241, $5; 400, $15

B. of L. E. Divisions

O. R. C. Divisions

of R. T......

Ruby Hill, Lodge 530, B. of L.

F. and E... Laura A. Barnes Ray E. Smith, Lodge 670, B.

of L. F. and E....... S. M. Graves, Lodge 670, B. of L. F. and E..... J. Riley, Indianapolis, Ind.... J. F. Clark, Div. 441, O. R. C. E. J. Kelty, Div. 465, O. R. C.

J. E. Barney, Div. 69, O. R. C. A. H. Hartwig, Div. 115, 0. R. C........

J. F. McGovern, Div. 138, O.

$37 00 250

1 00

1 00

1 00

1 00 1 00

100

1 00 2.00 1 00 2.00 1.00

2.00

2.00

5 00 20 00

100 00

1,633 26

7 78

...$1,887 54

Furnishing room, Lodge 706, B. of R. T......

Grand Lodge, B. of L. E.. Interest on building fund.....

Total