months. The majority of them have met with the officials of the systems upon which they are located and secured many concessions in the way of increasing of wages, betterment of rules and regulations, and at the same time succeeded in establishing harmonious and friendly relations with the railway corporations. I have worked with many of them personally in meetings with the officials, and I can not refrain from bestowing praise upon the efficiency of the officers of the Joint Boards. Without a single exception they are composed of representative men of the organization, who are conservative in their make-up, liberal in their views, and at all times quick to see and take advantage of fair propositions that are presented to them. It is but just of me to say to them that if this same policy is continued in the future, trouble, strife, friction and strikes will be unknown in so far as the membership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen is concerned. Prize for Securing Greatest Number of New Members During Year 1903.-In our circular under date of January 20, 1903, the announcement was made that Bro. F. N. Gear, a member of Forest City Lodge No. 10, Cleveland, Ohio, and who is in the employ of the Webb C. Ball Watch Co., had offered as prizes for securing the largest number of members during the year 1903, two of the Webb C. Ball Standard B. of L. F. $50 watches, one of which was to be given to the lodge initiating the largest number of new members during the period above named and one to the member securing the largest number of new candidates, provided that the number secured exceeded ten.

The records of the Grand Lodge office show that Forest City Lodge, No. 10, Cleveland, Ohio, has initiated one hundred and thirty-nine members from January 1st to and including December 31, 1903, and that they head the list and have initiated the greatest number of members of any lodge in the organization during the period above named. Many of the other lodges, however, have made an excellent showing and have initiated more than one hundred members each, but in accordance with the condition named, Lodge No. 10 will be entitled to one of the watches. In so far as the watch being presented to the member securing the largest number of new candidates, provided that number exceeds ten, the Grand Lodge has no means of knowing who the member is. The only way this information could be obtained would be for each and every lodge to send to the Grand Lodge the name of the member that has secured more than ten applicants for membership, and at the same time the actual number of members that they have succeeded in bringing into the organization, and then the awarding of the second prize can be determined.

Dues for Newly Initiated Members. We desire to call attention to the fact that it is the intention of our present laws, as set forth in a recent decision by the General Counsel of the Brotherhood,

that no quarterly dues shall be collected from the newly initiated members until after his application for beneficiary certificate has been approved by the Grand Medical Examiner. The application fee and initiation fee should be collected and receipted for with the understanding that if his application is approved by the Grand Medical Examiner, at which time the liability of the organization to the member and the member to the organization is determined, that he will then be required to pay all regular quarterly dues that are collected from all beneficiary members. Our object in calling attention to this is to insist that all lodges decline to accept quarterly dues from and issue receipts to applicants for membership until they are advised by the Grand Lodge that the application for beneficiary certificate has been approved by the Grand Medical Examiner. This is insisted upon for the purpose of protecting the Brotherhood against expense in litigation and possible payment of claims that the organization should not be compelled to pay. This is very important and we trust that each and every lodge will see to it that the above instructions are complied with.

Carrying Members for Quarterly Dues. -We feel that it is our duty to call attention to a very serious abuse that is being practiced on some lodges in the matter of carrying members on their books who fail to pay their quarterly dues on time, as required by the law. The law requires that every member on or before the first day of each quarter shall have in the hands of the Collector of his lodge the amount required of him for quarterly dues for that quarter. If every member would be compelled to obey this law there would not be a possibility of any lodge not being able to meet the assessments on time that are levied by the Grand Lodge for the beneficiary department. In the past it has been the experience of quite a number of lodges that they were behind time in making their returns to the Grand Lodge for assessments levied in the second month of the quarter. Upon serving notice upon them of their delinquency we receive replies to the effect that they have not the money in their treasury to pay the assessment due the Grand Lodge, and that they will have to wait until pay day, in order to have a sufficient amount of money to meet the assessments. The cause of this is as above stated, on account of carrying members on their books, and it requires a large amount of money from the good paying members to enable the lodge to make full remittance on time for the first month of the quarter, and when this is done, many of them have but little money left in their treasury. Strictly according to law, no lodge has the right to take from the funds of the treasury for any purpose whatever any amount of the money that is paid in by the members for quarterly dues except that which is over and above the amount required to keep said good paying members in good standing with the Grand Lodge. If this law

was strictly adhered to there never could possibly be a delinquent lodge, and it is an injustice to the good paying members that such should be the case. We therefore recommend the discontinuing of the practice of carrying members for quarterly dues except in extreme cases, and then only when presented to the lodge and acted upon according to Section 195 of the Constitution.

The Protective Fund.-In response to many inquiries relative to the protective fund of the Brotherhood as to the number of further assessments that will be required, we desire to say that the amount in said fund has now reached the sum of $200,789.51, and it will require an assessment for the present month of 50 cents per member, and the same for the month of April, when the amount necessary to comply with the law will have reached $250,000. It will therefore be understood that the protective fund assessment that will be levied for the month of April will be the last one the members will be called upon to pay.

Conclusion. The year 1904 dawns upon us under the most favorable auspices for our Brotherhood. The year just closed has been one of unparalleled prosperity. We have steadily increased our membership, new lodges have been added, and in every section of the country the influence of our organization has become manifest in every respect to a far greater extent than in any other year of our existence. The prospects for the new year were never brighter. The outlook is indeed encouraging, and with renewed efforts on the part of our membership to increase our numbers and influence, the year 1904 will go down in history as the banner one, in so far as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen is concerned. There are many firemen today who are eligible to membership who have not yet been enrolled, but who can be easily reached if an effort is made. We trust that earnest missionary work will at once be instituted in every lodge, and pushed forward, to the end that before the close of the fiscal year every eligible fireman within the jurisdiction of each lodge will be within our ranks.

In conclusion I wish to convey to the entire individual membership my thanks for their uniform courtesy and kindness, and assistance rendered me in the discharge of my duties during the year just

closed.

To my associate Grand Officers and Boards do I extend my sincere thanks, and especially to Bro. Arnold and Bro. Carter, the retiring Grand Secretary and Treasurer, and the retiring Editor and Manager of the Magazine, for the many evidences of their loyalty during the past year, and for their valuable advice and assistance, that has in many ways served to lighten the work devolving upon me in the performance of the duties of my office. To each and all of them I am more than grateful. With the hope that unlimited success may attend them, and every brother of our organization during

the present year, and that good health, happiness and prosperity may be the lot of all for many years to follow, I remain, fraternally yours,

JOHN J. HANNAHAN, Grand Master. Attest:

W. S. CARTER, Grand Sec'y and Treas. The condition of the affairs of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen as set forth in the foregoing official circular is certainly a subject for congratulation on the part of the membership, and all others interested in the prosperity and success of our great Brotherhood. It represents a condition of organization and discipline that necessarily carries with it influence and success in the accomplishment of the noble ends which it seeks to attain.

That there are still many firemen who are eligible to membership, and who are not yet enrolled, is undoubtedly true, but it is safe to predict that if the good work is pushed forward, by the time the Grand Master's gavel falls to call the Buffalo convention to order his hope will be realized, and the 55,000 mark of membership will have been reached and passed.

Relative to the splendid condition of the organization, the following appeared in the Peoria (Ill.) Herald-Transcript of January 5, 1904:

With the formal transfer of $306,000 in four Peoria banks yesterday morning from Frank W. Arnold, retiring Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, to W. S. Carter, who assumes the same position, the members of the Board of Grand Trustees of the organization completed their work in this city. They left in the evening for Indianapolis to install John F. McNamee as the new Editor of the Firemen's Magazine.

The closing of the year with the Firemen's organization has brought forth a remarkable instance in the history of this Order and one which probably has never been equaled by another similar organization. There are 51,500 members in 648 lodges throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, and with balancing of the books on the first of the year there was not registered one delinquent member nor any lodge which had failed to send in its regular dues.

"Such a condition," said Grand Master John J. Hannahan, "I do not believe you will find existing in any other similar organization, or even in any corporation. When you consider the territory which we cover, the number of lodges and the thousands of members, it is I believe a truly remarkable showing and one which shows the condition of prosperity prevailing in this organization. The clean balance which is presented shows a conservative management, and to Mr. Arnold

and his assistants is due great credit for the work of the past year."

Mr. Arnold also expressed himself as greatly pleased with the showing made in the office, and said that the Order was at the high tide of its existence. More members were added during the past year than ever before in the same length of time, and there has been a general upward movement in all lines of work.

According to the statements of Mr. Hannahan it has also been a remarkable year in the way of satisfactory settlements with the railroads. Differences have arisen on many of the large railroads of the country, but in every instance they have been satisfactorily settled without serious trouble. To Mr. Hannahan is due the credit of this department. He has spent months of his time in traveling about the country, holding sessions with the representatives of the roads and the Firemen's lodges and has used tact and judgment in bringing about a peaceable settlement of all differences. Only recently threatened strikes on the Canadian Pacific, New York Central, Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and other prominent roads have been averted, and largely through the effort of the Grand Mas

ter.

W. S. Carter, the new SecretaryTreasurer, is now in the city and expects to remove his family from Indianapolis in a short time. He is in active charge of the office, and so far has inaugurated no new changes, with the probability that none will be made. For the past year the increase in membership has been at the rate of 1,200 a month, and it has required the services of two clerks to make out the certificates. The work has so largely increased that it is probable that additional help will soon be required to handle the business.

Destruction of the Iowa State
Capitol.

It will be a source of much regret to the delegates and visitors who attended the Des Moines Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen to learn that the beautiful State Capitol, which proved a source of so much interest and admiration to them, was destroyed by fire on January 4, 1904. The origin of the fire is said to be a mystery, but is supposed to have started from a lighted candle carelessly left burning, or from an electric wire.

According to press reports, the fire department was unable to fight the fire effectively, on account of the height of the building and the elevation of the capitol site making the pressure ineffective. The valuable volumes of the State library were hastily removed to a place of safety, and

Suitable resolutions have been adopted by the members of Lodge 102, B. of L. F., on account of the deaths of Bros. Edwin Broad, Frank Finnicum, Walter Ward and F. P. Howard, and a copy of same has been sent to each of the bereaved families.

Mrs. Nellie Finnicum, wife of Bro. Frank Finnicum, who was recently killed in a wreck on the C., M. & St. P. Ry., desires to express her thanks to the members of Lodge 102, B. of L. F., for their many acts of kindness in her hour of sorrow and bereavement.

Appropriate resolutions of respect have been adopted by the members of Lodge 126, B. of L. F., on account of the death of Bro. Walter A. Ward, who met death in a head-end collision on the C., M. & St. P. Ry., December 13, 1903, and a copy forwarded to the bereaved family.

Bro. G. H. Brant, of Lodge 60, B. of L. F., writes that his lodge is pushing to the front. Bro. Thompson, the Master, is said to be a hustler, and Bro. Didyoung, the Secretary, a very efficient officer, who keeps his books up to date. A new Protective Board has been elected.

A member writes that Lodge 398, located at Olean, N. Y., has grown from a membership of 23 about three years ago to about 50 at the present time, and is going to continue to grow. Much credit for the prosperous condition of this lodge is said to be due to the efficient Master, Bro. Bernard Duffy.

The mother, brothers and sisters of Bro. John L. Osborn, who met death in a wreck on the Kansas and Arkansas Valley Railroad, October 26, 1903, desire to express their sincere thanks to the members of Lodge 428, B. of L. F., for the many acts of kindness shown them in their sad hour of bereavement.

famous "J. & C." overalls so familiar to the railroad men throughout the country. Mr. J. G. Clark, vice-president of the Oshkosh Company, is well and favorably known among the delegates who have attended our past conventions, and he will certainly appreciate any favors shown to his company by the railroad boys.

A letter to the Magazine, enclosing a newspaper clipping giving an account of the death of a young fireman by the name, of Hugh Lot Fain, in an accident which occurred on the V. & S. W. R. R., has been received, but owing to the great number of clippings received it is impossible to publish them. Letters from relatives, friends, or members of the Brotherhood giving authentic accounts of such accidents are preferred, and will be accorded space in the regular correspondence columns of the Magazine.

The American Waltham Watch Company tell some interesting facts concerning the Waltham watch which was published in a Boston newspaper in 1867, in their advertisement on the inside back cover of this issue of the Magazine. It is the purpose of this company to not only acquaint our readers with facts as to the efficiency of their watches for railroad service, but to impress upon them the great length of time during which they have maintained their standard of excellence.

The Brotherhood Gloves manufactured by Bros. Dinius & Rowbottom, will be more vigorously advertised in the Magazine during the coming year than ever before. Bro. Dinius commenced his business campaign through the Magazine several years ago using but small space. From time to time as business justified, they have increased their space in the Magazine, and beginning with the January mumber, a full-page will be run every issue. A handsome new design will be prepared for their advertisement in the near future. Watch for it.

Bro. Ralph Madison, of Lodge No. 17, Chadron, Neb., accidentally discovered that the Magazine was willing to pay some one in his territory for soliciting subscriptions. He wrote for an outfit and some sample copies, and pleased with the offer made him he went right to work. He is located at a small town where railroad men are not so plentiful as they

are in the larger cities, but the large subscription orders he is sending in are greatly to his credit. Not only will he render the Magazine a highly-appreciated service in his good work, but the financial profit to himself will be well worth the consideration of any person.

On the inside front cover will be found an attractive advertisement of the AutoBrand Overalls. The manufacturers of these goods are one of the latest comers in the advertising pages of the Magazine, although a well established firm of long standing. One of the leading features of their overalls is their patent Nickel Spring Suspender, which, while taking the place of rubber, they claim it is not affected by heat, age nor perspiration. These people will have considerable to say to the railroad men of the country through their advertisement in our Magazine during future months, and it is to be hoped that they will find advertising in our book a source of profit to themselves.

For a number of years our readers have been accustomed to looking for the advertisement of the Winkley Artificial Limb Company on the rear outside cover of the Magazine, and their announcement has always been found at its post. The Winkley people have just renewed their contract with the Magazine for the twelve issues for 1904, and a handsome new design graces the back cover of this issue. Aside from the horrors of war, perhaps there is no vocation so hazardous to life and limb as that of railroading. It is for this reason that the old established manufacturers of artificial limbs so continuously bid for the patronage of those who may be so unfortunate as to stand in need of their services.

The Cleveland & Whitehill Company have the picture of a bright new "Keystone" in their advertisement this month; in fact, it is a new advertisement from start to finish, but the overalls they are advertising is the same old "Keystone" brand that they have been manufacturing and selling to our readers for the past 24 years. Men of today pondered over the advertisements of the Cleveland & White

hill Company that were published in the Locomotive Firemen's Magazine when they were but mere boys. That they have advertised aggressively all these years and continue to persist in this policy not only indicates that they have received a liberal share of the patronage of our readers, but in some measure accounts for the immense business they have built up.

The advertising pages of the Locomotive Firemen's Magazine constitute an important medium of revenue for the Brotherhood, and in order that the advertising may be a source of profit to the Magazine, it is necessary that it shall result in profit to the advertisers who pay for the space for the purpose of publishing their announcements. Most of the advertisers in our book are old estab

lished firms, who have been taking space in our Magazine for a number of years, and this is evidence that our readers have responded to their solicitations for patronage in a very satisfactory manner. It is to be hoped that in the future, as in the past, our readers will yield the hearty support to our advertisers in their seyeral lines of trade, that will maintain and even increase the prestige of the Locomotive Firemen's Magazine as an advertising medium.

Every lodge that takes an active interest in the upbuilding of the Brotherhood, should see to it that the Magazine comes in for a fair share of loyal support in its vicinity. While the acts of the more recent conventions of the Brotherhood abolished the old system of having a Magazine agent as an officer of the lodge, at the same time there is nothing to prevent it being an unwritten law of every active lodge to see to it that the Magazine has a healthy circulation among the citizens in that vicinity. Ample compensation is offered to any member who will take up the work and push it. The Magazine contains an immense amount of technical instructions and illustrations that would induce any man in railway train service to subscribe for the book on its merits. It gives double value to the subscriber for the money he pays, and in addition pays the solicitor for his work. What more inducement could be offered?