SEPTEMBER MORN WATCH FOB. Exactly like illustration. The latest fob out. Has bewitching little figure of Miss "September Morn" handsomely embossed on heavy metal plate. Beautiful oxidized silver finish. Size of medal 11x13. Genuine black leather strap.. Boys, a real work of art. Classy, alluring. Makes 'em all take notice. Agents wanted everywhere. Dandy sample fob and our great easy money proposition to hustlers sent postpaid 25 cents. Address NOVEL JEWELRY CO., 45 Lewis Block, Buffalo, N. Y.

30 DAYS FREE TRIAL

and freight prepaid on the new 1915 "RANGER" bicycle. Write at once for our big catalog and special offer.

Marvelous improvements. Extraordinary values in our 1915 price offers. You cannot afford to buy without getting our latest propositions. WRITE TODAY.

Boys, be a "Rider Agent" and make big money taking orders for bicycles and supplies. Get our liberal terms on a sample to introduce the new "RANGER."

TIRES, equipment, sundries and everything in the bicycle line half usual prices. Factory prices on Motorcycle and Automobile Supplies. MEAD CYCLE CO., DEPT. K-337 CHICAGO

Cured His RUPTURE

I was badly ruptured while lifting a trunk several years ago. Doctors said my only hope of cure was an operation. Trusses did me no good. Finally I got hold of something that quickly and completely cured me. Years have passed and the rupture has never returned, although I am doing hard work as a carpenter. There was no operation no loss of time, no trouble. I have nothing to sell but will give full information about how you may find a complete cure without operation, if you write to me, Eugene M. Pullen, Carpenter, 886A Marcellus Avenue, Manasquan, N. J. Better cut out this notice and show it to any others who are ruptured-you may save a life or at least stop the misery of rupture and the worry and danger of an operation.

WE MANUFACTURE

ALL SUPPLIES

FOR

Railway Employee
Societies

Ballot Boxes, Gavels, Badges, Banners, Books,
Blanks, Regalia, Uniforms, Grand

Bodies' Supplies at Man-
ufacturers' Prices.

R

OF

Engraving

& Badge Co.

Salesroom 820 Pine St.

Factory

20th & Mullanphy

ST. LOUIS

Every member should make an effort to boost the

B. of R. C.

And one of the most inexpensive ways is by wearing a neat pin, button or fob. Address

R. E. FISHER, G. S. & T.,

He will tell you all about them

MANUFACTURERS OF

BADGES

BANNERS

Seals Stamps

Etc.

B. of R. C.

Badges like illustration $6.00 Per Dozen

ARBITRATION LAW OF ILLINOIS.

One of the most perfect laws relating to controversies between employer and employe is the arbitration law of the state of Illinois.

The law creating a State Board of Arbitration became effective August 2, 1895, and was ammended so as to confer additional powers in 1899 and 1901. It has been the means of promoting industrial peace in the state and though the exercise of the powers conferred upon the Board of Arbitration that body has been very successful in preventing numerous strikes which would have seriously affected the employer, employe and the public.

The law provides for the investigation of strikes and lockouts upon the joint petition of the parties thereto and to render a decision which shall be legally binding for six months, unless sooner terminated by one of the parties upon sixty days notice. This decision may be enforced by rule of the court.

For the investigation of strikes and lockouts upon the petition of one of the parties thereto either employer or employe-and to make public its findings and recommendations. In these cases no one is bound by the decision or opinion of the Board, but a settlement may be effected by acceptance

of the Board's recommendations, or the inquiry itself may be instrumental in bringing the contending parties together and inducing them to arrive at a satisfactory understanding.

The State Board of Arbitration may, upon its own motion investigate without petition from either of the parties involved a strike. or lockout affecting the public welfare, actually or prospectively. In these cases the Board is first to endeavor to effect a settlement by mediation; but if this cannot be done, and neither party will consent to arbitration, the Board may proceed to make a thorough investigation of the matter and make public its findings and recommendations. It may compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and papers in all cases, whether the proceeding be upon a joint petition or the petition of one side only, or an independent investigation instituted by the Board itself.

The Board may adjust strikes or lockouts by mediation or conciliation without a formal submission to arbitration.

In order that quick and authentic information may be obtained, it is made the duty of the mayors of cities, the presidents of incorporated towns and villages, and the chief executive officers of labor organizations to promptly communicate to the Board

information as to strikes and lockouts, actual or threatened.

If similar laws were in effect in all states of the union the serious results arising from industrial disputes would be minimized.

RAILROAD'S METHODS IN SPOTLIGHT. Engineers and firemen employed on railroads west of Chicago are presenting evidence to a wage arbitration board, sitting in that city. In a bulletin issued by the Engineers' and Firemens' Brotherhoods, the following will show methods employed by the railroads to "blacklist" these workers and to deny them the right to sue for damages: Just how "big business"-in this instance "big railroads business"-cleverly protects itself and piles up riches at the expense of the workingman was elucidated at the western railway wage arbitration hearing.

The spotlight was turned on some of the inner workings of this smoothly running system and disclosed methods by which streams of money are caused to flow into the coffers of the companies instead of into the pockets of the employes. Accompanying these revelations was testimony, just as startling, proving the western railroads for years have fostered a carefully devised plan of "blacklisting" which has had the effect of barring from railroad service hundreds and thousands of men whose worst crime either was participation in a railroad strike or a membership card in a union.

These matters were not hinted at. They were stated as facts, and photographic copies of contracts and application blanks were offered by the fireman's and engineer's brotherhoods to uphold oral statements. During this period representatives of the railroad companies sat apparently undisturbed in their seats, seemingly oblivious to the real meaning and menace of the evidence, bringing to mind the old quotation of Bobbie Burns:

"Oh wud th' power th' giftie gie us, To see airsel'es as ithers see us." The Machiavellian maneuvers by which certain powerful railroad companies dodge the payment of millions of dollars in personal injury and similar claims by reason of an agreement forced upon the men, when they enter the service, to join so-called relief associations was brought to light through the instrumentality of Warren S. Stone, grand chief engineer of the Brother

hood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Stone showed that not only is the applicant for a job compelled to join these relief associations, but the rates for the so-called insurance are high and, should the employe be killed in service, the "relief" department is enabled to make a small settlement upon his widow because of a release clause in the insurance contract. Mr. Stone emphasized the contention that this deters the widow from going into court and obtaining damages which probably would yield much larger benefits to her than the railroad relief association pays her. Moreover, all these benefits are derived from the purses of the employes themselves and not from the bulging coffers of the companies.

Mr. Stone produced a photographic copy of an application for membership in the relief department of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway company. It was shown that the same release applies to the Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal Company relief association, proving the ownership of the Chicago Terminal company by the Baltimore and Ohio railway, although it is commonly called a separate corporate entity. Notwithstanding the sensational features of these disclosures none of the Chicago newspapers gave special notice to the story and, in fact, buried it.

This matter was brought out while W. E. Futch, president of the Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Life and Accident Insurance association, was on the stand. Peculiarly enough the way was paved for the relief association bomb by James M. Sheean, counsel for the companies, in cross-examination dealing with personal injury claims paid by the railroads. A bit of the colloquy which insued follows:

Mr Stone-Isn't it a fact, Mr. Futch, that the percentage of cases where railroads pay for injuries is small?

Mr. Futch-Yes, and only when the court of last resort compels it.

Mr. Stone-Isn't it a fact that these socalled relief associations cause a man to sign away his life in order to carry his relief?

Mr. Futch-Yes.

Mr. Stone then produced a photographic copy of the standard relief application blank and read it into the record. It bore the Baltimore and Ohio imprint, and, among other things showed that the applicant was compelled to sign an agreement by which the railroad is permitted to appropriate certain