ernment, and remain on the islands providing they could command wages due us, and they seem greatly surprised when they learn the fact that we are coming over here to work for $75 per month, and some for less.

In this office we have a set of repeaters to watch, which is, of course, fun on these rotten wires, but one good thing we only have to work half a day, and the other half is our own, to hunt, fish and do as we please.

I for one am greatly in favor of the O. R. T. not being an instigator in any way to aid the government in getting our members to come to the Philippines to work for a salary less than the school teacher or stenographer. We are their equals in every way, our work brings direct revenue to the government, and is indispensable to business of all kinds owing to the poor facilities in U. S. mail routes.

If this letter is published, I may sometime, after more experience in the islands, write an article relative to the work of the civil operator in general in this country.

J. C. PHARES,
Cert. 496, Div. 31.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND THE AGE LIMIT.

This is one of the most important questions that is being debated by railway employes of all classes of the present day, and is more to the interest and benefit of the telegrapher than any other class, or even the $75 minimum being discussed so much in THE TELEGRAPHER.

This rule is only being adopted to make new men, and an excuse to dispense with the older ones so as to put a surplus of men on the market. What is to become of the families of the cast-off and turneddown men who are seeking employment in order to support their families in an upright and honorable way? Men who have put in the best part of their lives for the benefit of railroad companies and the traveling public are told they can't be used, all on account of some trifling physical ailment that should not incapacitate him in the least. But the idea is to put one more man

on the market whom they would have a chance to get in case of trouble.

No wonder our jails and penitentiaries are filled with criminals. These poor men are only too eager to labor and make an honest livelihood for themselves and families if only given half a chance. But they are turned down and made criminals, beggars and tramps all on account of this damnable practice adopted by the railroad companies called physical examination.

This so-called physical examination can be abolished very, very easy, by putting a clause in all schedules to the effect that no telegrapher will be required to pass a physical examination other than that which pertains to eyesight and hearing. To strip them and give them as rigid an examination as they do in the army is a disgrace to the human race. It puts a human being on the same plane or level with a horse or dumb brute being sold. The horse or brute is examined by the purchaser to see if he is sound, in good health, and not over the age required to make a good animal. That is just what the railroads of to-day are doing with their employes.

Just look at the law makers of our country. You won't find one in one hundred under the age of forty-five. The President of the United States is not eligible to office until he is thirty-five years of age. Look at our United States senators and congressmen, and you will see that their ages run from fifty to seventy-five years. These men at this advanced age of life can fulfill the most important positions in the gift of the people, but a telegrapher past the age of twenty-seven can't fill the position of an "O. S." operator. What nonsense.

A man is not considered to be in the prime of life until he has reached the age of thirty-five.

It takes a person from four to five years to make a proficient telegrapher and station agent. If he lost his position he would, as far as obtaining another is concerned, be done, as he would be then past the age limit.

Brothers, something must be done and at once, or there will soon be as many telegraphers out of employment on account of the age limit and physical examination as there

are those that have employment. the abolition of this system.

Agitate Do not rest until we have secured our point. With the abolition of this, our $75 minimum will be much easier obtained, and more important than that, it will be the means of making many a poor wife and mother's heart leap with joy to realize that her only, her all, has a chance once more to earn an honorable and upright living.

The brother who signs himself Cert. 1062, Div. 31, is on the right track, but not as plain and emphatic as he might have been. Come again, brother. Stir them up. The sooner we get physical examination and the age limit abolished the sooner we will obtain an universal $75 minimum. Let us hear from some of the others on this important subject.

CERT. 5861.

TEN YEARS OF PROGRESS.

It is ten years now since I was intimately associated with the O. R. T., and the occupation which it represents.

A few days ago I wandered into a tower and found the lone telegrapher studiously reading THE TELEGRAPHER. I introduced myself, and was made perfectly at home. This telegrapher told me of the schedule which the O. R. T. had just secured on his road, a large and important one, also what was taking place on other roads in his part of the country. Upon my departure he gave me some copies of THE TELEGRAPHER, which I have read with the greatest of pleasure. I can not express the satisfaction it gives me to behold the progress which the O. R. T. has made in the last decade. Ten years ago I was located at a one-man station on a prominent road in a northwestern State. This station was situated at the top of a hill. At night the two regular passenger trains met there, also several regular freights, which were often run in sections. Some of the many little things which can delay a train were constantly occurring, so that I was very often called at night.

Many is the time I have gone to that little depot through, perhaps, two or three feet of snow, to help raise a blockade, which would require from thirty minutes to three

hours. My regular office hours, three hundred and sixty-five days in the year, were from 7 a. m. until from 7 to 10 p. m., according to the condition of traffic. For all of this overtime I received not even the thanks of the company.

The O. R. T. was not very strong on that road in those days. Many joined it, but became discouraged after a time, and dropped out. The result was a half-hearted, scattering membership, too weak to accomplish anything for itself. The superintendent was opposed to us, and lost no opportunity to browbeat the younger members with harsh talk about demanding their O. R. T. cards. The boys were bluffed intɔ taking students, and strangers at that, to finish up, whenever the bluff could be made to work. We were insulted and annoyed in many little ways, which should have been beneath the dignity of a superintend

ent.

I find by reading THE TELEGRAPHER that all this has changed. That road is now solidly organized. The boys have a good schedule, granting overtime; shorter Sundays, and all the good things usually found in first-class schedules. I now see the fruits of what a handful of us sowed ten years ago.

I joined the Order just as soon as I was eligible. It was a non-striking organization then, and was called the Order of Railway Telegraphers. I stuck to it until I left the telegraph service, when I took a certificate of membership to show that I quit square. A handful of division cards and a little gold button, enameled in red and green, are the choicest keepsakes of my railroad days. The few dollars which they cost me I consider well spent, although I did not remain to reap any of the benefits myself.

The telegrapher who is to-day on a scheduled road will not neglect the O. R. T., which has given him his schedule. I need say nothing to him. To the telegrapher who is on some road which has no schedule, I say, go into the O. R. T. if not already in. After you get in, stick, no matter if you are the only one on the division. The day is past, thanks to good legislation, where any petty superintendent can demand your division card and keep out of jail. Then get some other telegrapher into the fold.

Your influence can certainly win one member. The combined influence of you two can secure a third, and so on. The more you get the greater your combined influence will be, and the easier others will be induced to follow. If you work in this way, a very short time will find this country completely organized, and then those chilly night calls such as I used to receive in the northland, and many other things which go to make your life a burden will be no

more.

ECONOMIC

CERT. 10191.

INDEPENDENCE THE CORNER-STONE OF SUCCESS.

My previous letters to our valuable journal went to the waste basket, but am not discouraged, and am continually racking my brain how I may be of some service to my brother telegraphers. The $75 minimum, U. S. mail, express, and nearly all vital things have been ably discussed in our most worthy journal, and will meet all just argument from the most brainy men of our country; but how, when and where are we to obtain the minimum, better commission on express, and relief from that awful U. S. mail? As the old negro says, "Talk is cheap, but it takes money to buy liquor."

Our only hope of a substantial advance and independence is to follow the three great roads to success-economy, energy and good judgment. The first can and must be adhered to, or no advance will help us, no matter how high our salary. I admit the second is grinding, but we can not uphold and support a man too lazy to do his work. As to the third, I believe the telegraphers and agents throughout the U. S. are above the average intelligence, and being posted on all general affairs, as we handle the business of the world for other successful men, who are making fortunes and moving the wheels of progress, why not ourselves? Pardon me for giving my experience since 1881 as a railroad agent, and how I made my first thousand dollars.

For four years after my first work I spent all my earnings of $40 per month and 10 per cent commission on fine clothes, stable hire and various other expenses. At

last I concluded to get a life partner to help me spend, and store too. But after I procured the valuable property of a sweet little woman, it seemed too bad to have an innocent woman with no home or shelter of our own, and any day my job could go from me like a dream.

Brothers, I have seen so many on the road with little ones cold and hungry, sick and no home, and I knew these boys had a good job at one time, and bright hopes, now no home, no job, and gone to drink on account of trouble, or perhaps led into the habit by some pretended saloon friend, when they were only trying to ruin his young life or get all of his money. I have been tried by all classes, but thank God I have kept clear of saloons. So many good men now sleep in a drunkard's grave, leaving a broken-hearted wife and little starving, sick children. With all these before me, I went in my dreams to higher officials, and could find no hopes. I then went to the rich commercial world, and they could not stop long enough to hear my case. It took too much money to deal in various lines, and I was but a small railroad agent and telegrapher. I then turned to invention and exchanges. Too many fakes in the first, and the gambling dens never produced a rich man. If they did we can find 99 per cent who failed in our penitentiaries. with little ones and wife disgraced forever. I turned from that line with a sick heart. I could see no hopes for the men who put their arms around my neck and say, "Come on, old boy, have a good time; spend your money; plenty of time yet to economize." I asked myself, what manner of man was independent of the world. I noticed a man who seldom came to my office. His face was clear of indications of crime or dissipation. He had a good word for all, and a pleasant countenance. His children were dressed neat and clean. I visited his home, which was well kept, plenty to eat and abundance around him. This man was the fruit grower of this country.

My next desire was to get in that independent condition, a condition that if every telegrapher was in he could demand $150 per month, and get it much easier than now $65. Every telegrapher of four or five years of steady work can be in that condi

tion if he will only try. I asked if I could buy a farm on the installment plan. Yes, so easy; only $200 per year to pay on it. Seemed small in its way, but have long since purchased four good homes, and now pay taxes on above $8,000 worth of property. I purchased it all on a small salary at a small station.

Of course, I made mistakes, and lost money. Yes, above half of what I made, I would have over $20,000 in property had I not made mistakes. Simply refer to my own experience as it may be of some benefit to my brother telegraphers how to become independent of not only railroads, but of every man as far as support for yourself and family is concerned.

Companies are forming all over East Texas for fruit and vegetable industry, and making 100 per cent. Why not, telegraphers and agents, form a stock company, as we handle the markets of the world, and have all advantages as to selling the products? We can have a stockholder in every town in the U. S. I know of a location near this place that can be purchased and set in peach, cherry, black, straw and raspberries, for $50 per acre. Would be worth above $500 per acre in five years. Peaches pay $100 clear per acre every year; cherries and berries $400 per acre clear of all expenses; potatoes $50 to $75 per acre, by June the Ist; cabbage and onions $100 per acre. Mr. F. H. Britton, Cotton Belt president, owns a 5,000-acre farm and orchard. The general superintendent has organized a smaller company, with shares as low as $100. Many conductors and engineers are taking stock. Why not telegraphers and agents? Say have shares at $10 each, and if properly started will be worth $50 a share in five years, saying nothing about dividends up to that time.

I set 2,000 peach trees two years ago on twenty acres on a 60-acre tract of land. I refused over double its value last fall. They enhanced the value of forty acres with no trees set. Will say I have no land for sale, nor am I a real estate agent. I desire to advise my brother telegraphers what I have done, and what they can do, and simply suggest the organizing of a company for the man not able to purchase a place and improve it, as a fruit farm needs the at

tention of the owner or an interested party. If any telegrapher or agent wishes to investigate, write me, and if you obtain approval of enough men from correspondence will suggest a plan for stock company. All business will be done through bank. President and purchasing agent to be bonded. J. B. BAKER, Naples, Texas.

NOTE. In publishing Bro. Baker's letter we do not wish to be understood as advocating the scheme therein embodied. We accord it space as do we all legitimate propositions making for the betterment of telegraphers in general. The co-operative idea thus embraced is a good one, one that is, in the near future, destined to rule the industrial life of the nation. Properly conducted, and operated upon a large scale, it would soon out-rival the present formidable fruit trust. However, should the membership at large care to invetigate, they must do so upon their own responsibility and initiative.-ED.

A SUGGESTION.

I would like to see our Grand Secretary and Treasurer, Bro. L. W. Quick, stir the pot once more, and send one set of application blanks to each member with a circular letter requesting the brothers to make a special effort to secure one new member during the months of September and October, that we may be in good shape to do business with all the roads the latter part of this year.

There are a great many good O. R. T. men who would take enough interest to secure one new member if the application blanks were sent them.

If any member can not secure one new member he can save the set of blanks until some non drops into his locality, and he will be prepared for him.

New Haven Division, No. 29.

At our regular meeting in May, some one advanced the idea, not altogether new to most of us, that it was desirable for us tɔ meet OCcasionally, for the purpose of becoming better acquainted, socially. At out meetings there is so much work to do and so little time for doing it, that we find no time to know each other, except in a business way. Having in mind that the eighteenth anniversary of the O. R. T., June 9, was near at hand, we saw an opportunity to have a little social gathering to recognize this day. The matter was taken up and a committee appointed to arrange for a shore dinner at Savin Rock.

a

Arrangements were finally completed for dinner to be given at Wilcox s Restaurant, Savin Rock, and electric cars were chartered to take the party from the depot. Everything seemed to be favorable for a large attendance and for a good time. But on the morning of June 9th, and during all that day, the committee was threatened with nervous prostration. Nothing but rain. Three minutes before the car was due to leave the depot, only six persons wearing O. R. T. buttons were discovered. It seemed to be a frost, but suddenly, from some unknown place, forty-eight more of the craft appeared. This addition to the party made the large car look more cheerful. The committee recovered. Later, after we had been at the table long enough to dispose of the chowder and steamed clams, we were reinforced by fourteen starving brothers from the Hartford and Highland Divisions We have been informed that this party had fasted for many hours in anticipation of this spread.

After the sea food had been disposed of and cigars had been lighted, Bro. E C. Terry reviewed, briefly, the history of the O. R. T. There is no doubt that all were made more anxious to do our best for the O. R. T., after hearing Bro. Terry's remarks.

It is to be regretted that on account of many brothers being obliged to leave at this time for their trains, we were unable to hear from Bros. Culver and Dowd, and also from Bros. J. E. Cullen and V. H. Huff, who are doing some organizing work with us.

Bro. Wheeler, with the C. & N. E. R. R. at Stamfordville, N. Y., was probably put to the most inconvenience to attend the dinner. It took two days of his time to make the trip. Hope he will repeat the visit soon.

This was the first attempt made by Division 29 to give an affair of this kind. However, it will not be the last; and when the next one is

scheduled, don't let a small obstruction like bad weather keep you from attending.

You will probably notice the absence of news from several of the divisions on this system in our territory. An effort was made to secure interesting items from each division, but only two of them were heard from. We look for better results next time.

Speaking generally, the condition of our division is all that could be looked for, both in the number of members and in the quality. Everyone is doing his best to increase the membership. Those who are joining the Order now, join with the intention of staying. It will be hard work to convince those who have declined to join up to this time of the advantages to be gained by becoming a member of an organization that will protect them in so many ways. Fortunately, there are not many of this class in the vicinity of New Haven.

The spirit of the members of Division 29 seems to be to become efficient in their line of work, and to show those who empioy them that a man who carries an up-to-date O. R. T. card is the who can give the best service.

man

A new departure has been instituted by this railroad company, whereby a 10 per cent commission is paid on all "this line" W. U. business, taking effect June 1st. This is to awaken renewed interest among the agents out on the line to secure new business, the Postal people having made big inroads upon the Western Union's business of late.

There is a "Professor" located in Waterbury, one W. H. Branch by name, whose advertisement appeared in the Waterbury papers recently, and was answered by one of our members who was instructed to call at the Highland Division freight office for particulars. This gentleman has a reputation already established as the first man to ride on the cars in that town at the time of the strike two years ago.

N. H. Office Notes

Bro. Fitch, our Yetman expert, who handles the Boston wire in this office, has the following record for one week, six days: sent 752, received, 1,342, total, 2,094. He says it is acad easy when you know how, and asks if any of the boys can beat it.

Bro. Conroy has a new Yetman and says that when it can be successfully worked on "17," it can be worked successfully on any wire on earth.

Bro. Mullarkey is looking more pleasant than usual lately, in anticipation of day work for the

summer.