Brotherhood Department Communications intended for publication should reach this office not later than the 10th of the month to insure their appearance in the following issue. Write on one side of the paper only. Sign name and address in all instances, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good faith. Correspondents may, if they desire, use a nom de plume, but no attention will be paid to anonymous communications. The Editor and Manager reserves the right to revise or reject any communication if he deems it to the best interests of the Brotherhood to do so. Obituary notices and resolutions and detailed accounts of events of a purely local nature can not be published. Pictures are published only when same are of general interest. All orders for subscriptions should be sent direct to the Editor and Manager. Members when changing their address should immediately notify the Magazine office. All changes for the Directory should reach this office previous to the 10th day of the second month of the quarter in which it is desired that such changes should take effect. Inquiries for the address of or any information concerning another, should be made through the secretary of the lodge nearest the residence of the person making such inquiry. CHRISTMAS GREETING Ere the next issue of the Magazine reaches our readers the world will have celebrated the great festival of Christmas and another new year will have dawned. There are observances that by repetition grow tiresome and monotonous, ut Christmas seems more enjoyable and delightful the oftener it comes to us. At that blessed period of the year the true Christ spirit predominates in the hearts of Christian humanity and sentiments of kindness and charity actuate the people of Christian nations as though by one common impulse. The joys it brings are amongst the most genuine that life affords. It is a season-but unfortunately a brief one during which love and generosity hold sway. Is it any wonder, then, that Christmas is welcomed by grown folk and children alike as is no other day in the calendar? The birthdays of some of the world's most noted men are kept as public holidays in their own respective countries. Never, however, has human leader lived great enough to be accorded such an honor by a foreign nation. But all the nations of Christendom honor as the greatest public holiday of the year the birthday of Christ-the humble Nazarene the universal master-the founder of Christianity, whose doctrines of love, mercy, kindness, humility and forgiveness are ever combating the evils of ani mosity, prejudice, oppression, greed, arrogance and brutality which retard the development of civilization to that high and noble plane to which the practical and universal observance of Christian teachings is destined to elevate it. it will rapidly grow until it embraces all men who are eligible to join our ranks. On the prosperity and efficiency of such agencies for the perfection of civilization, for the practical application of the teachings of the humble Nazarene much indeed depends for humanity in general. To the officers and members of our Brotherhood, to our readers in general, to the men of the entire labor movement and to their loved ones one and all the Magazine extends its heartfelt and sincere wishes for a truly happy Christmas and bright and prosperous New Year. thor. Much as those of mature years may rejoice in the coming of Christmas, it holds greater joys for children than for all others. As the Magi brought their gifts of gold and incense and kneeling offered them to the Child King born in a stable because there was no room for him in the inns at Bethlehem, so through all the years since then have Christian men and women who could afford it endeavored to make the anniversary of that great event an occasion for the offering Assistant President Shea the Auof gifts, particularly to their little ones. Generally, children expect to be thus remembered on Christmas and, as a rule, they are so remembered. But how numerous are the exceptions to that rule-little ones who by the mandate of the god of greed are destined to long in vain for a Christmas remembrance. Let us hope that the day is not far distant when, under an economic system that will give every man and woman what they justly earn, the little ones of whom Christ said "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God," will have their full share not only in the joys of Christmas but in the joys of childhood the whole year around. Let us hope that ere long the Christ spirit will so universally prevail on earth that we shall no more hear the cry of children going up from mines and sweat shops, from factories, crowded tenements and darkened alleys--when, instead of being sacrificed to the god of mammon they shall, as Christ wants, them to, enjoy God's free air and sunlight, and that natural happy childhood devoted to moral, mental and physical training mingled with ample play and recreation necessary to their development into men and women, properly equipped for the duties and responsibilities of life. The attainment of that end is one of the great aims of the organized labor movement in which our Brotherhood is taking so effective and so prominent a part. Notwithstanding that the year about to close has been characterized somewhat by general business depression, our membership has been constantly on the increase, and it is to be hoped that with the return of normal business conditions We very much regret that through an inadvertency the name of the author, Timothy Shea, Assistant President, was omitted when publishing article entitled "Always a Field for Organization Work -78,000 Mark Passed-Should Have 80,000 by Close of Year," appearing on page 691 of the November issue. Brother Shea has been doing splendid work as Chief of the Organizing Department of the Brotherhood, and the article in question was a feature of his labors in that connection. We, therefore, urge our members to again read this article with the understanding that it is an official expression from our Assistant President, a fact which attaches to it special weight and importance. Union Meetings for this Month (December). Important union meetings are contemplated for the current month (December), as follows: Pittsburg, Pa., on the 10th and 11th; Columbus, Ohio, on the 13th and 14th; Chicago, Ill., on the 17th and 18th, and arrangements are complete for union meetings to be held at Scranton, Pa., on the 2d and 3d, Carbondale, Pa., on the 5th and 6th, and Oneonta, N. Y., on the 7th and 8th. These meetings have been proposed by Assistant President Timothy Shea, who is also Chief of our Organizing Department, and, judging from the splendid results that have already attended the work of that department under his able leadership, there is no question as to their success or the good that will ensue from them. On Sunday, December 31st, a fifth Sunday union meeting will be held at Harrisburg, Pa., in Whits Hall, corner James and Broad streets. The fifth Sunday union meetings held in the past have been productive of great benefit to our Order and the brothers who have arranged for the Harrisburg fifth Sunday union meeting are determined to make it even more successsful than those preceding it. At the Buffalo union meeting, held November 5th and 6th, a class of 151 candidates was initiated, and it is hoped to have large classes ready for initiation at each one of the meetings above announced. Addresses will be delivered by President W. S. Carter, Assistant President Timothy Shea and other Grand Lodge officers, as well as by officers of subordinate lodges and legislative and joint protective boards. All our members in the above named cities and the surrounding cities and towns who can so arrange are urged to be present at these union meetings and assist in the great organizing campaign that is being conducted with such good effect. We should close the present year with 80,000 members, and every brother should devote his best efforts to the accomplishment of that end. Assistant President Shea is determined to leave nothing undone that is in his power to do to bring our membership up to the one hundred thousand (100,000) mark for the 1913 convention, and in the achievement of that great purpose he hopes to make the year 1912 a record breaker in the matter of organizing work accomplished. BUFFALO LODGES BREAK RECORD IN INITIATIONS AT UNION MEETING-SIMILAR MEETINGS ARRANGED FOR AND OTHERS PROPOSED DURING THIS MONTH (DECEMBER)-LARGE CLASSES OF CANDIDATES ANTICIPATED By TIMOTHY SHEA, Assistant President* The union meeting held under the jurisdiction of Adopted Daughter Lodge 3, located in Jersey City, N. J., in initiating a class of 126 candidates September 14th, and to which the writer made reference in article on page 691 of the November issue, was such a great success that we suggested to the lodges located in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., representing the several lines of railroads entering that city, that they arrange for a joint union meeting Sunday and Monday, November 5th and 6th; the Sunday meeting to be devoted to initiations, and, as a result of their work, they initiated a class of 151 candidates in the several lodges located in that city. This, we believe, was the *This is the second article contributed by Assistant President Shea pertaining to the work of our organizing department. The first appeared on page 691 of the November issue under the heading, Always a Field for Organization Work-78,000 Mark Passed-Should Have 80,000 by Close of Year," but through an inadvertency the name of the author was omitted. greatest number of candidates ever initiated on an occasion like this. This proves conclusively what can be done by the officers and members of subordinate lodges providing the proper spirit is manifested and all members work together. These lodges not only increased their membership, but they very materially increased their treasuries, and, above all, there was a great deal of enthusiasm created among our members in that locality which I am sure will be productive of a great deal of good; in fact, it was stated during the meetings that there was more enthusiasm created in the city of Buffalo during these meetings than has been shown for many years. This great work was accomplished in that city at the request of this office upon such lodges to arrange for such meetings. When the request was received, the officers of the lodges immediately arranged for meetings in order to carry out the plans suggested, and each lodge appointed a committee of "one" with full authority to act for his lodge to meet like committees from other lodges, and make all necessary arrangements. These committees secured lists of all the nonunion firemen on all roads entering Buffalo represented by the different lodges, and after such lists were secured their names were presented to the lodges representing the several roads, for consideration, and a list of those favorably passed upon by each lodge was turned over to the member appointed by such lodge, whose duties were to call upon such nonunion firemen and urge them to go to the doctor and be examined, and appear at the meeting some time during the day, Sunday, November 5th, for initiation. Special Organizer Bro. Jas. A. McBride being assigned to the New York Central Lines (east of Buffalo), was instructed to be in that city about five days prior to the meeting, and he had direct charge of the work, and assisted the committee in carrying out details for the meeting. It was my pleasure to attend this meeting, and we had an open house November 5th from early morning until late at night. Great credit is due to Brothers H. P. Hanvey, Lodge 614; A. E. Easterling, Lodge 472; F. J. Keiffer, Lodge 614; H. J. Zilch, Lodge 316; Geo. N. Hofner, Lodge 12; C. B. Chase, Lodge 85; W. McClary, Lodge 85; H. W. E. Evans, Lodge 101; Thomas Vann, Lodge 241, and Z. W. Rose, Lodge 276, for the excellent work which they performed, as they worked from early morning until late at night in order to make the meetings a success. Monday afternoon, November 6th, there was a joint meeting between the Ladies Society of the B. of L. F. and E. and members of this organization, which meeting nonunion firemen and ladies who were eligible to join the Ladies Society, were invited to attend. This was an excellent meeting, and I feel sure that it was very interesting to all who had the pleasure to be present. Monday night, November 6th, there was a union meeting held under the auspices of all lodges in the city of Buffalo, and at this meeting there were many visiting brothers from other lodges, as an invitation had been extended to all lodges within a radius of 150 miles of Buffalo. President W. S. Carter was present at the union meeting, and addressed the members on matters of vital importance to them. There were also present several general chairmen representing roads entering Buffalo, who contributed mater?ally to the success of the occasion. VicePresident McNamara was present during the day, Sunday, but on account of having a meeting with a Joint Protective Board Monday morning, November 6th, he was obliged to leave the city early Sunday night and was, therefore, unable to be present at the union meeting Monday night. I am sure that such meetings as these tend to stimulate activity among our members; it encourages them and inspires them with more zeal and greater enthusiasm as to the aims and objects of our organization, and a better understanding of unionism. Many Meetings for Month of December. Lodge 228, located at Scranton, Pa., has arranged for a union meeeting Sunday afternoon, December 3d, and all lodges within a radius of 200 miles from Scranton have been invited, and a special request made to have as many members present as possible. They have also arranged to initiate a large class of candidates Saturday, December 2d, and, judging from reports received, they expect to have an excellent time. Special Organizer Jas. A. McBride and myself will be present and lend our aid to make these meetings a great success. We have also arranged for a similar meeting at Carbondale, Pa., December 5th and 6th, under the auspices of Lodges 56 and 62, and another meeting at Oneonta, N. Y., December 7th and 8th, with All members of the BrotherLodge 71. hood in that locality are especially invited to attend, as a good time is anticipated. It will be the writer's pleasure to be present at these meetings in company with Special Organizer McBride. Big Union Meeting Proposed at Pittsburg, Penn. There is nothing that "succeeds like success," and if the lodge in Jersey City, N. J., and the lodges at Buffalo, N. Y., were so successful in increasing their membership and adding to their treasuries, there is not any question of doubt in my mind but what other lodges can be just as successful and accomplish as much, providing the same interest is manifested. Therefore, this office has communicated with all lodges located in the city of Pittsburg, Pa., and recommended that arrangements be made for a joint union meeting in that city December 10th and 11th, to be conducted in the same manner as the meetings were conducted at Buffalo, at which meetings 151 candidates were initiated. It has been suggested that Sunday, December 10th, be devoted to the initiation of candidates, and Monday night, December 11th, to hold a secret union meeting under the auspices of all lodges in the city of Pittsburg, and an invitation extended to all lodges within a radius of 200 miles of Pittsburg, urging them to have as many members present as possible. If these suggestions are adopted and the meetings arranged for, President W. S. Carter, Special Organizer W. H. Pierce and myself will be present. lodges in Chicago extend an invitation to all lodges within a radius of 200 miles of Chicago. If these suggestions are adopted and meetings arranged for, President W. S. Carter, Special Organizer Geo. N. DeGuire and myself will be present. The success of the meetings referred to above will rest entirely with the officers and members of the lodges in the cities where the meetings are to be held, and we hope that nothing will be left undone to make these proposed meetings a grand success, which will not only into the local treasuries of all lodges that crease our membership but will also add participate. November was 78,587, and we are very Our membership on the first day of anxious to reach the 80,000 mark by December 31, 1911. This can be very easily accomplished providing every member will do his part, but it can not be accomplished by sitting idly by. The present year is now drawing to a Big Union Meeting Proposed at Columbus, zine is in the hands of our members we close, and when this issue of the Maga Ohio. We have also communicated with the lodges located in Columbus, Ohio, to arrange for a big union meeting to be held in that city Wednesday and and Thursday, December 13th and 14th; Wednesday, December 13th, to be devoted to the initiation of candidates, and Thursday night, December 14th, to hold a secret joint union meeting under the auspices of all lodges in that city, and an invitation extended to all lodges within a radius of 150 or 200 miles of Columbus, urging them to have as many members present as possible. If these suggestions are adopted and the meetings arranged for, President W. S. Carter, John F. McNamee, Editor and Manager, Special Organizer R. C. Cadden and my self will be present. Big Union Meeting Proposed at Chicago, Ill. We have also communicated with all lodges located in the city of Chicago recommending that a big union meeting be held in that city Sunday and Monday, December 17th and 18th, in which all lodges will participate; Sunday, December 17th, to be devoted to the initiation of candidates, and Monday night, December 18th, a joint union meeting to be held. It has been requested that the will only have about one month before the close of the present fiscal year; therefore, we most urgently request every officer and member of all subordinate lodges to thoroughly canvass the situation at their respective terminals, and if there are any nonunion firemen, proper steps should be taken at once to enroll them as members. Let us close the present year with 80,000 members in good standing. CAN IT BE DONE? YES. WILL YOU HELP? Brothers, Remember That Union meetings for the current month (December) have been proposed by Assistant President Shea as follows: Pittsburg, Pa., on the 10th and 11th; Columbus, Ohio, 13th and 14th, and Chicago, Ill., 17th and 18th, and that arrangements have been completed for union meetings to be held at Scranton, Pa., on the 2d and 3d, Carbondale, Pa., on the 5th and 6th, Oneonta, N. Y., on the 7th and 8th, and a fifth Sunday union meeting at Harrisburg, Pa., on the 31st. The Harrisburg meeting will be held in Whits Hall, corner of James and Broad streets. |