we believe the sentiment is unanimous as we have not yet heard from any clerk opposed to it. We hope to have a near 100 per cent organization on this division in a month or two.

Our secretary is a hustler and if the members support him in his work the clerks on this division of the C. & E. I. will be even better organized than on the main line where the clerks are represented from Chicago to Evansville and includes the Indiana coal branch of the C. & E. I.

This lodge has a representative on the C. & E. I. System Board of Adjustment and at the next meeting of the board the clerks of the Illinois division of the C. & E. I. will be represented for the first time.

We are receiving the support of all other organizations in the railway service and are confident of securing the same consideration and recognition from the railroad company that those organizations have received. CORRESPONDENT.

SHREVEPORT, No. 57.

Well, brothers, I guess you all think we are dead down in dear old Shreveport, but such is not the case. We are as live as we ever were, but since the man from Black Bayou left us, we haven't had a good correspondent. We have a good man now appointed to have a line or two in our Journal every month and I sure trust he won't fall down. Hello, Buck (the man from Black Bayou), how is everything in Texarkana? Are you still carrying a card? Let us hear from you again; don't stay asleep as long as you have been. Local 57 is always glad to hear from you.

Well, brothers, you ought to have been up at Simon Hall, February 5th, where we gave our ninth annual ball, you would have sure had a time. We had about 150 on the floor at one time and believe me, it was up to old Cooper and Specht to get the music and we even got Mr. Schander, the best union band in Louisiana, and everyone was sure pleased with the music. When he left I told him we sure wanted him next year. We cleared $42.60, after all expenses were paid. Hurrah, for the next one to come. I believe we will do better.

Believe me, we have got a bunch of officers that sure believe in attending meetings. Geo. Hearne, President; W. B. Cooper, Vice-President; J. D. Parker, Secretary and Treasurer; E. V. Bryson, Recording Secretary; P. E. Whisner, Chaplain; L. E. Craw

ford, Inside Guard; Lee Riggs, Outside Guard; W. C. Flournoy, Chairman Executive Board, and, brothers, whenever you blow through the best city on earth you will always find a lending hand. If you don't know where to find them, just blow in Chamberlain's pool hall and there you will find them sweating a domino or pool game.

Well, brothers, Local 57 lost one of its best members when Bro. R. M. Gillispie died, and no one knows but No. 57 how he is missed in the lodge room. He was the oldest member we had and the best; he was one who always attended meetings and had his card paid up six months in advance, but I feel that we have a few more that will follow in his line towards lodge business.

Well, brothers, I hope this will wake up a few more of the Kajins, especially New Orleans and send a few lines to the Journal every month.

Come on "Buck," let's hear from you again, I sure enjoy it.

CARD 233.

INSTALLATION OF LODGE 319. With the extensive preparations, appointments of committees arranging for balls, parties, meetings and demonstrations, the year of 1915 bids fair to be a mile-stone marker in the life of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and by the work already done for the mentioned affairs, success will be the glittering symbol.

The first great event of the year just born was one that for splendor, surpassed any ever held under the auspices of any labor organization or R. R. Brotherhood in the vicinity of St. Paul or Minneapolis. The occasion was the first public installation of Midway Lodge 319, Friday evening, January 29th. The ceremonies were carried out in a manner that would gladden the heart of a lover of things sparkling, nice, yet all was prudent and close to form. Long before the hands of the big clock on the balcony recorded the hour of 8:15, the handsomely decorated Levy Hall was taxed to capacity with over three hundred ladies and gentlemen, members and friends, who came out to participate in the festivities, and with their presence, pay tribute to the effort, the movement, and the men enlisted.

On the minute of 8:15, President Fred Smith mounted the platform and after receiving round after round of cheers, in well chosen words, welcomed the wives and

re

sweethearts, families and friends of the membership; at the conclusion of his address, from behind an embankment of potted plants, ferns and flowers, came the gentle strains of the orchestra with, "We Are Here to Greet You This Happy Hour (one of Chopin's); then came the program of ten numbers, vocal and musical, of the highest and most entrancing order. After this splendid part of the program had gone through, the officers-elect marched in a body to the center of the hall and positioned themselves before the altar. Three loud raps were heard at the inner door, and in marched Vice Grand President Farnan, escorted by Staff and Grand Sergeant-at-Arms H. C. Reeves. They proceeded twice around the hall, first leaving Vice Grand President Farnan, Deputy Butler and Guards of Honor Spickler and Hall at the President's station, then as each station was reached, a halt was made and a member of the staff took his respective position. The Grand Sergeant-at-Arms advanced to the center, before the altar, announced the names of the officers-elect and placed them in position to take the obligation of office. The oath was delivered and peated in a most impressive and solemn manner, and in all, the installation ceremonies were admirable, unique and to say the least, grand. Everything worked to perfection, with enough pomp and glitter to properly spice the seriousness of the instructions by Grand Officer Farnan, and his smartness and polished manner of doing things. He was ably assisted by the team, which was well drilled, each member fitting in as if made for the part. President Reeves of Minneapolis Lodge, acted as Grand Sergeant-at-Arms; Brother A. M. Butler of Madison, Wis., acted as first Deputy, and as each officer received his instructions, presented him with his regalia; Brother Spickler of St. Anthony Falls Lodge and Brother Hall of So. Minneapolis, acted as Guards of Honor, the other members of the Staff were from the various Twin City Lodges; they were Brothers Franklin Foster, Jas. K. Morrison, W. A. Porter, Henry Y. Rudd, J. D. Olson, J. H. Hutchenson, Benj. F. Hiltman. The officers-elect of Midway Lodge 319, are President, Fred Smith; Vice-President, R. F. Babcock; Financial Secretary and Treasurer, P. J. Arland; Recording Secretary, G. J. Gester; Chaplin, Chas. Broulet; Sergeantat-Arms, L. B. Keeiler, Inner Guard, Thomas Roberts; Outer Guard, R. J. Jelly.

Organization Committee: W. P. Manahan, L. A. Luck, J. B. Moulden, P. J. Arland, Geo. F. Bouthilet.

Protective Committee:

A. B. Doherty, F. F. Barnes, J. B. Moulden, W. P. Manahan, P. J. Arland.

Delegates to Trades and Labor Assembly: J. L. Loomis, F. F. Barnes, J. C. Spoonick, John F. Shanahan, J. B. Moulden, G. W. Lee, P. J. Arland.

Upon being presented with the gavel and regalia, Brother Smith thanked the membership for the honor conferred, seated the assembly and introduced Brother Vice Grand President Farnan as the speaker of the evening, who delivered a most appropriate address for the occasion. After commenting briefly on the affair, congratulating the officers, members and their friends for aiding in its success (his theme was Organization, Its Trials and Triumphs), he made the audience see the early struggle of the movement, its sad days and then brought all hearts into gladness, with the brighter side and made them merry with a few short stories, after history had been indulged in, and finished with a verse from one of his favorite poets.

Too many kind things cannot be said about Fred Smith for the successful completion of the arrangements; he, with his able committees worked hard and left no stone unturned to carry everything off without a hitch, and he and they were rewarded by the satisfaction of seeing everything go off in a most creditable manner. It could be plainly observed that the entire membership aided and assisted in the effort and they too, are rewarded, for no person there left without a touch of pride in the thought that some brother, father or friend, was a part of that organization, that could do things, and do them right with style and prudence. Eight pieces composed the orchestra, which played the dance music until midnight. The hall was artistically decorated, with the colors of the order; this, with the many white, green, blue and red globes and handsome gowns of the merry dancers, presented a most beautiful picture. CARD No. 3.

AN ECHO FROM 64.

I have just finished reading the February number of the Clerk and, to say the least, it's a "peach."

Seemed just like "good old days" to read an article signed by the "Man From Back Bayou." Have been looking for something from him for sometime.

It does my heart good to see that some one appreciated what has been and what is being done for them such as the article written by Card 275 of Providence 103. Doesn't hurt anyone to let them know their work is appreciated and we should have more articles like it.

I was glad to see a write-up from Kankakee 64, as that is my home lodge, and we have heard nothing from them for a long time and I know, personally, there are some crackerjack men in that bunch who should give us a good live article every issue. Think Geyser City 170 slogan, "Never Miss An Issue," should be adopted by every lodge.

Was glad to see the very new lodges represented in the last two issues. Go to it, brothers; that is the spirit. You simply have to toot your own horn these days to get recognition and, as you know, a little horn-tooting out in the open sounds better than the knocking we hear so much of the time.

Things are working around, quietly for the making of a good, strong organization at this place and it is sorely needed. You will hear from here before long.

Hope to see some articles from the C. & E. I. brothers in the next issue. That is down around home country and will be glad to hear from them.

Yours fraternally,

CARD 88, LODGE 64.

THE DOUBLE DESK.

They sit at the double desk

As the winters come and go, One with blood like an Arab

And the other like that of an Esquimo.

You can talk on Ventilation

And whatever else you know,

But all our working places

Were planned long years ago.

Now the clerk with his little numerals
Is there when it's time to show,
For he handles all the problems

That make the business come and go.

But good old St. Peter will right this wrong
As up to Him you are sure to go
And he'll find a place for the Arab
And another for the Esquimo.

Hartford No. 186, Card 129.

WITCH CITY, No. 78.

I dislike being accused of hogging space in the columns of the Clerk, but in my selfappointed capacity of scribe, an interesting bit of information has but just come to my attention, which is quite fully explained by the following clipping taken from the Salem News:

"SURPRISE FRIENDS BY ANNOUNCEMENT.

"Congratulations and good wishes are being extended to two young people well known in Salem and vicinity, the occasion being that the friends of these two have just become acquainted with the fact that they are married, and have been for a number of months.

"Bert R. Darling of Danvers, an employe at the local freight office of the Boston & Maine railroad, and Miss Irene Creamer of Salem, bookkeeper at the B. B. Price & Co. dry goods store, are the happy recipients of the congratulations.

"Last summer Mr. Darling and Miss Cramer went on a vacation to New Hampshire, were quietly married and enjoyed their honeymoon among the White mountains. Upon their return no questions were asked and the young people, owing to the difficulty of the housing problem in Salem, decided to say nothing and wait until they were prepared to announce their definite plans for the future. With the exception of a few intimate friends, who knew how to keep a secret, nobody in this vicinity realized that anything unusual had occurred.

"The joke is decidedly on their friends, for Mr. and Mrs. Darling say they have been wedded so long now that they are quite accustomed to being 'old married folks.'

"Mr. and Mrs. Darling will make their home in Salem, and will be prepared to receive their friends in the near future."

In conclusion I wish to notify all members of Witch City No. 78, that in the future (in consideration of the fact that I, as reporter, have been assured of first-hand information upon all lively subjects) I insist that information be not withheld and