years ago, when our insurance features reached their present stage, we had "kept step to the drum beats of progress" and supplied our members with liberal protection against the loss of life and limb and for certain illness, and then we stopped and we seem to have rested content ever since. At that time we led all labor organizations in the generosity of our benevolence. We have known since then the increasing demands for labor and skill on our road service members-increasing speed; added locomotive performance; increased tonnage; crowded tracks and terminals; increased volume of traffic, constantly changing conditions that carry along constantly added dangers and seriously taxing the limit of efficiency, particularly of locomotive enginemen. We have kept fair pace with these changing conditions in an endeavor to secure fair wages in exchange for increased labor responsibilities, but we have surely lagged some in the way of keeping abreast of our insurance opportunities. There does not seem to be a substantial reason why we should not at the next convention undertake to remedy our apparent remissness as to our insurance laws so as to provide for accident and health insurance. When, as is well known, at least a dozen great, strong accident and health insurance companies, to not refer to many minor concerns, can wax fat and wealthy off accident and health insurance alone, all struggling, scheming, laboring and fighting for the railroad employes insurance business, shouldn't it Brotherhood Accident and Health awaken in us serious thought as to why Insurance. There are two mighty and powerful supports that uphold the organization of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen-protection and insurance. Upon these two rests the entire structure. Everybody concedes our right to organize for protection against unfair assault on our wages. we do not provide this insurance ourselves for our members? Those of our members who daily confront the hazards in engine service understand quite well the vital necessity of providing themselves with insurance against accidents and illness. This being conceded, then why pay fancy prices for such protection. Here we are struggling with our emThus, while we by organization pro- ployers for better wages and proving betect, as well as we may, our wage, we yond question our rights thereto, adare juaicious in protecting that wage vancing amongst other reasons the high against the withering influences of ad- cost of food stuffs and other necessities, versity, by means of insurance. There and yet we submit without protest to are, perhaps, no two words more nearly the high cost of insurance when we related than the words-protection and insurance. From the very beginning, forty years ago, we provided insurance, aye, and had it well established before we had made much headway with our protective features. Up to the time, fifteen or more might with the smallest kind of effort reduce our insurance cost at least twenty per cent if not more, and is there any one so bold as to seriously contend that insurance is not a necessity? In settled, sober thought we know we ought to carry insurance against all ac cidents and sickness. We usually put it Brother Corrigan, Assistant Grand off until a persuasive agent of some Chief, E. of L. E., spoke on the important prosperous company coaxes us to the subject of the hour, viz.: the strike quespoint of signing an application and then tion, stating that the day and hour had a large part of our premium goes to pay been set for a strike and that the only this agent for wheedling us into doing thing that would prevent it would be a something we know very well we ought message by secret code. He pointed out to do. With our own accident and health the duty of the men to their Brotherinsurance we need not wait for advice hoods in case a strike was called and refrom a financially interested agent, and lated the conditions that had led up to if we choose to carry the insurance, and the Western concerted wage movement. it should be optional-not compulsory,- He also discussed the advance in the cost we would save to ourselves the extravagant commission that now goes to the agent. There should be no doubt that this matter is bound to come up at some convention for serious consideration and adoption. The time for its adoption will never be more opportune than now. It is certain, inevitable. It is forecast now in its activity in certain States, notably, Wisconsin, which has a plan, so 'tis claimed, that furnishes life insurance to its residents at cost and it is but a short step from the principles of life insurance to those of accident and health. He is a timid person who will seriously affirm that our Brotherhood is not capable of successfully conducting its own accident and health feature. We are eminently equipped to grapple with the plan and carry it forward to a successful conclusion, for with our long experience with beneficiary insurance we are but one removed from accident and health insurance, and when it is adopted, as it surely will be, we will have materially added to the strength and support of the fabric which goes to make the "Mightiest Railwaymen's Organization on Earth," the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. F. W. ARNOLD. of living since the last wage increase and compared same with the increased earning capacity of the railroads due to large motive power and greater car capacity. Brother Albert Phillips, Vice-President of the B. of L. F and E., in his address called attention to the financial condition of the railroads, their system of watering stock, etc He also touched on the strike question and told why we were about to strike, what our grievances were, why we had gotten the most solid strike vote ever taken by such a large body of men, the fairness and justice of our demands and the unfairness of the Managers Committee in refusing to accept the Federal Mediators plan of arbitration. He said this would strengthen our position in the eyes of the public and stated that there was no question in his mind but that we would win the strike if we would all stick together. In closing his remarks he asked the brothers that in case a strike was called to make it a thoroughly law abiding strike and to prevail upon others to do likewise, just to take a vacation as it were and stay away from the railroads until we were notified by the proper authority to return to work. In this way he said we would surely win. Brother Keady, General Chairman of the B. of L. E. on the Santa Fe, spoke next. In the course of his address he im Chicago Joint Meeting B. of L. E. pressed on the minds of all present that and B. of L. F. and E. On the evening of Sunday, August 2d, a joint meeting of Division 645 B. of L. E. and Lodge 196 B. of L. F. and E. was held in Silver Leaf Hall, Chicago, Ill. Brother O. Danziger acted as chairman. The first speaker was Brother D. McCarthy, Illinois State Legislative Representative, B. of L. F. and E. Brother McCarthy delivered a very interesting address on the subject of State legislation, citing in detail some of the laws that have been passed as a result of the efforts of organized labor. He also dwelt upon the power of the ballot and urged that the railroad men use it in an organized effort to defeat men who are unfriendly to our organizations. the only way to win was to work together. He stated that our cause was just and there was no chance of our losing. Brother Keady was followed by Brother Duffy, member Division 582 B. of L. E. and General Chairman on the B. and O. C. T. R. R., who explained the duty of our men and suggested that Brother Phillips explain the difference between our wage proposition by arbitration and our demands in case of a strike. Brother Phillips responded and explained in detail the differences mentioned. He said that the Federal Board of Mediation and Conciliation had proposed that the company's counter proposition be withdrawn, including the service period clause, and that our present de take action at our next convention when this subject comes up. mands only be arbitrated. Our Joint Committee had accepted this proposal but the Managers Committee had rejected it. He I desire to say a few words relative to stated that should we strike, however, reducing convention expenses. There we would strike for an eight hour day should be some action taken on this imand all other concessions that are em- portant question. I believe our conbodied in the second proposed schedule of ventions could be carried on better with May 18th last. a third less delegates. At past conventions fully that proportion of the delegates have been absent from the convention hall half the time and would not know what was going on if some faithful brother who attended each session did not keep them informed. cess, This joint meeting was a splendid sucthere being 49 brothers present. We are planning to get together in the near future to elect our officers for our next joint meeting which we propose shall be even a greater success. O. DANZIGER, Division 645 B. of L. E., Chairman. Division 645 B. of L. E., Guard. Health and Accident Insurance Convention Expenses. My mind reverts to long years ago and to how faithful some of our old brothers were in the days when a man to acknowledge being a member of our noble Brotherhood would take a chance on losing his job, the days when we fought the wood-burning engines on freight on the different roads in Texas for $2.25 per hundred miles and no more. And $1.90 per hundred miles on passenger, and then when we would get in we would spend from four to six hours cleaning-wiping and polishing her up-without any extra It was with deep interest that I read pay. Think, brothers, why is it you are Brother Arnold's article appearing in the getting the pay you now receive? Is it June issue of the Magazine in which he because the railroad companies wanted to outlines a plan whereby our Brotherhood give you better wages? No; it is because save its members money on health our old brothers kept fighting for justice, accident insurance. Action should and if they had given up, our brothers be taken by our next convention with a of today would be in as bad a predicaview to the adoption of such a plan of ment as are the poor miners out in Coloinsurance. In this way we can place all rado, worked like slaves day and night of our insurance in the hands of the and just because they wanted better and Brotherhood, thus helping our order safer employment conditions in the mines financially instead of making insurance and the union took up their cause and companies richer. We need all this called a strike to get them a square deal, money in our own organization. The they were forced to do battle with soBrotherhood in operating a health and called soldiers and strike-breakers comaccident insurance department would manded by a man who holds the title of take an interest in our welfare and give Governor. Women and innocent chilus justice and not endeavor in every way dren were shot down or murdered in possible to defraud us by part payment cold blood by these infamous militia rufonly fians and strike-breakers dressed in solfits. diers' uniforms. Brothers, remember this can and of sick or accident insurance bene- insurance department and it will save us at the ballot box. per- I am proud to be a member of the centage of our members pay out each Tried and True. I have been in our year to big thriving, prosperous insur- Brotherhood for a long time. I have ance companies from $36.15 to $52.20 in seen it grow from a few noble brothers addition to the assessments we pay for to the great and grand order it is today, insurance in our see own Brotherhood. I no reason why this amount could not be reduced perhaps about half. When we get this insurance plan into effect we standing for all that is pure, noble and true, and demanding justice for each and every one of its members. I have the honor of wearing on the lapel of my will surely have the best insurance in ex- coat a twenty-five-year membership butistence and our members will be proud ton. I will always endeavor to encour of ance agent comes around we can tell him good work not only for our Brotherhood on moving as we have a much but for those loved ones who are depend to keep better, cheaper and safer plan. Now, ant upon us, and who are always willing brothers, think this over and be ready to and ready to share our burdens and troubles. It was surely a great blessing Hall, Harrison Street and Central Aveto the Brotherhood when our sisters, nue, Kansas City, Kans., on Sunday, Sepwives and daughters came in to help us tember 20, 1914. by organizing the Ladies' Society. God bless them. They are doing a big work for our order. I hope to hear more on the insurance subject. I know a great many brothers must be deply interested in this important question. M. A. RICHARDSON, Kansas City Central Joint Union F. and E. The next Kansas City Central Joint Union Meeting of the B. of L. E. and B. of L. F. and E. will be held in Butler's The officers of this meeting are putting forth a special effort to make it the best ever held in this section and a hearty invitation is extended to all engineers, firemen and hostlers in and about the two Kansas Citys (Kansas City, Kans., and Kansas City, Mo.). Secret sessions will be held in the morning from 9 a. m. to 12 m. and from 2 p. m. to 5 p. m. in the afternoon. In the evening an open meeting will be held to which all members and their families are cordially invited. IRA D. BENFER, Secretary and Treasurer, Kansas City Central Union Meeting. Correspondence LODGE 240-(Member, Jackson, Mich.) This is but one example of what a The inactivity of Lodge 240 is rather Brotherhood man will do to assist pronounced at present. This I presume another in time of need. is due to the fact that business is very Let us stand together and help one dull at this point. We have more than a another, keep our dues paid up, work hundred firemen laid off. This the boys together for our interests, always be on contend is attributable to the fact that the lookout for new members, attend the company has put a great number of lodge meetings regularly and thus keep new engines-known as the H-7 engines- the B. of L. F. and E. up to the highest in service on the main line and the air standard. May God bless us all and line. We call them "Mikados." They keep us from harm. To all members are surely man killers. However, while of the "Tried and True" I wish health, it is dull in the line of work we have happiness and prosperity. turned our attention to pleasure and have organized a baseball team consisting of members in active service. We are desirous of arranging games with like teams, that is, each player must be in active as the firemen are concerned, but the service and a member of the Brotherhood railroads are doing well. We have the in good standing. The towns in which big Mikado type engines and they have we would like to make arrangements to played havoc with our jobs. We are set play are Buffalo, N. Y.; St. Thomas, back so that men who ordinarily would Ontario, Canada; Detroit, Mich.; Grand be up for promotion this year are back Rapids, Mich.; Battle Creek, Mich.; firing on the yard extra list. We have Michigan City, Ind.; Bay City, Mich.; hopes, however, that conditions will soon Toledo, Ohio, and Elkhart, Ind. For improve. Our lodge meetings are well atgames address D. C. Laughlin, Jackson, tended. Quite a number of the boys who Mich. LODGE 246 (E. G. Riggins, Macon, Ga.) Lodge 246 is increasing in membership. At nearly every meeting we initiate one or two and always have an application on file. We are glad to state that almost all firemen employed by the different ore roads belong to the Brotherhood. As soon as a man becomes eligible to membership we go after him. A young fireman can take no better step than to join the "Tried and True." It not only makes a better man of him but helps him in every way and also helps the other brothers. LODGE 183-(P. R. Nichols, Cleveland, 0.) Business here is very slow as far were eligible to join the Brotherhood have been laid off, but we trust they will soon be back at work and get into the fold. We have a good set of officials on the Lake Shore and they live up pretty closely to the agreements we have with the company. I take great interest in "Correspondence" letters from other lodges that appear in the Magazine. I agree with the brother from Lodge 566 that if all who attend lodge were more careful not to give out information to brothers who while able to do so do not attend, there would be larger lodge meetings and less of a disposition on the part of some absentees to criticize what is done in the lodge room. We have a Ladies' Society here and it helps giving card parties and dances. We hold a joint meeting with the ladies every quarter at which they serve a delicious supper. Once I approached a man and said, "Do you know where a stranger in a strange town could get a job?" "Those a great deal to lighten our hardships by words," he said, "will be forever with me. You belong to the Firemen and so do I. Come, go with me and I will help you get a job." This he did. This good brother certainly proved himself to be a Brotherhood man in the true sense LODGE 263-(Member, Pleasanton, of the word. Charles Scribner was his Texas.) The San Antonio, Uvalde and name. I am sorry to state he recently Gulf Railroad is a new road just conlost his life by an engine turning over structed. This section of the country is on him. May he rest in peace and may practically level. We have 302 miles of our Heavenly Father bless hi family. track and 18 engines. Our largest en |