bers. 120.

Owing to a misunderstanding I was disappointed in not being able to hold a meeting in Galveston on my recent trip to that city. I am going to again return to that place, and hope to be able to have better success next time. Galveston is the gulf city of Texas. She was almost destroyed by a terrible storm in 1900. When the news went abroad that ten thousand lives were lost and millions of dollars' worth of property destroyed one could hear on every hand that the city of Galveston was doomed, and that she would never recover from the effects of the terrible disaster that had befallen her. Magic-like, the city is recovering from the storm and is making more headway now in the commercial world than ever before. More business was done in the last year than in the same length of time previous in the history of the city. Scarcely a trace of the storm is left to show what happened. In five years more only history as written, or the story told by some survivor of the flood, will be able to tell of that awful September day in 1900. The city of Galveston is spending millions of dollars in building a seawall three miles in length, the same to be seventeen feet high above high tide. After the wall is completed the city will be raised to the level of the wall. A driveway will be built along the edge of the wall that will make the beach the most attractive place in this country.

The people of Galveston do not intend to give up hope in protecting their city from the ravages of another disaster like the one so recently had there. Only American pluck and energy would tackle the job to do what the people of Galveston have undertaken to do. I am glad of what has been done. It is now a place where those of our members who run in and out of that city may feel that they are safe; likewise their families as well.

They now have a membership of Such a record as this, having been made in less than two years, the lodge can well be proud of. Bro. Mangum and the members of 590, I want to congratulate you upon the splendid success you have made since your lodge was organized. Just keep up the good work and your lodge will continue to grow, and will be a credit to those whose energies have been equal to the occasion.

A visit to Lodge 267, Algiers, Louisiana, is also something I wish to write about. Owing to the heavy business on the Southern Pacific Railroad, only a few members were in the city; therefore, there was a small attendance at the meeting. I hope to have better success next Bro. Phillips, the Secretary, was present, and assisted at the meeting. Bro. William Whelan was also present. This brother met with an injury to his arm in a wreck some time previous to my visit. I hope he will soon be well again so he can resume his duties on the road as fire

time.

man.

One other pleasant feature of the trip was that I had the pleasure of meeting my son, Adam J. Maier, who is an apprentice boy on the schoolship U. S. S. Hartford. This ship belongs to Admiral Wyse's squadron. This fleet was in New Orleans at the time I was there, taking part in the Louisiana Purchase Celebration. Bros. Joe Monaghan and George Ebrick, of Houston, Texas, accompanied me to New Orleans, and we had the pleasure of going aboard the Hartford. We appreciated the visit very much and will not soon forget it. The First Lieutenant gave permission to my son to go ashore and spend the night with me. This was his first night ashore since he left home. To sleep in a bed was a novelty to him, and he seemed to think that a hammock was better than a bed to sleep in. No doubt in time a person can get used to almost anything and think it all right.

On December 26th Admiral Wyse's squadron sailed for Pensacola, Florida, and the West India Islands. This fleet may reach Hampton Roads, Va., in April, if nothing happens. The young man says that he will write articles telling of his experiences in the United States Navy, and have the same published in the Magazine. It was with regret that I said goodby to the young sailor boy as he went aboard the launch that took him back to

visit. Two good meetings were held and great interest was manifested in them. Lodge 324 has had a hard struggle to get along. Through the effort put forth by Bro. G. L. Morris, the esteemed Secretary, is due the credit for the splendid shape this lodge is now in. There is no reason why this lodge should not keep up the good work. There is need of a Ladies Society in Gainesville. If there is anything that will get up interest in any locality it is a Ladies Society. Brothers of 324, encourage the ladies to organize a Society in your city. You will never regret it, and I am sure it will benefit your lodge. Give this matter a trial. One thing sure, if you don't experiment a little you will never know what you can do.

As I write this letter I am going over the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway in company with Bro. Rodgers, General Chairman of that line. It will be my purpose to have more to say in the March issue of the Magazine. The year 1904 seems to start off all right, and the future looks bright for the Order. May it be so. CHAS. W. MAIER.

Fourth Vice Grand Master.

My next stop was in St. Albans, to visit Lodge 352, where I found the boys working hard, but had a good meeting and increased the membership. Bros. Penniman and Curry look after the interests of this lodge, and with some assistance from all the members they could have one of the banner lodges of our Order.

At Newport a special meeting was held with Lodge 301, being well represented and a candidate in waiting. This is a good all-around lodge. Bro. Skinner has returned to the road in preference to indoor life.

While in St. Johnsbury I held a meeting with Lodge 282, the members of which set an example to our brothers that demonstrates what a little determination and hard work can accomplish. Being few in members, representing a short road and receiving small wages, yet by careful financing and good management Bros. Bricketts, Brown, Raymond and Mayo have a lodge of which they may well feel proud. An increase of wages on the road they represent and the assistance of the boys from Lyndonville would be more appreciated.

I attended the regular meeting of 461

at Woodsville, where I found a good attendance, a candidate in waiting and everything up to date. In fact, Bros. Dailey and Lyons have this lodge above the average. A good, live Ladies Society is also connected with this lodge, which helps a great deal towards the interest being taken by the members.

At Bellows Falls I found they had been rather generous in carrying members in the past, but had decided to follow the example set by other lodges in placing each member on his own resources, believing it to be the only successful way to have a good lodge and increase their membership. With this system adopted and officers like Bros. Mandigo and Cook, this lodge will soon be in the front row. I was pleased to meet Bro. Grant, of 410, and enjoy his hospitality.

On going to Rutland I held a meeting with the members of 353. This lodge is doing good work, with Bros. Fuller and Mansur in the lead. If a reasonable rate of wages and better conditions were obtained it would be beneficial to this lodge and an incentive for nonunion men to join. I was sorry to hear of Bro. Mansur's extended illness.

At Greenfield I found 549 in her usual good standing, and doing everything possible to interest her members. Bro. Hall has taken to himself a partner, which will add one more toward a Ladies Society in their city. May their future life be bright and full of sunshine.

I met several of the members of 410 at Fitchburg, and found a great improvement in membership and finances, more interest taken and a determination on the part of the officers and members that this lodge will be one of the foremost lodges in that section. Bro. Joslin makes an excellent financier. Bro. Pierce is as active as ever.

An interesting meeting was held with members of 513 at Nashua, several members of 73 being present. This is an active lodge, and doing good work under the leadership of Bro. Joy. Bro. Hammond, of 73, holds the responsible position of engine dispatcher at this important railway center.

My next stop was at Concord, to meet with 306, where I found a special meeting arranged, with a good attendance, all eligible members enrolled and an efficient set of officers in command. I met with Lodge 57 in regular session, with sixty members in attendance and seven candidates in waiting. This lodge is so well known and up-to-date in every particular

that comment on my part is unnecessary. Bro. Clifford gave an excellent report as a representative of the Joint Board, then in session. Bro. McGegor accompanied me to the meeting, and to him I wish to express my gratitude for many favors.

At Taunton we had an excellent meeting, the boys being greatly interested and not afraid to uphold the principles of our Order. Bros. Freeman and Manting are a team.

A special meeting had been arranged at Providence with Lodge 478, which was well represented, and, from the manner in which the business was conducted and information received, they certainly are a credit to our organization, Bros. Irish and Sawtell being the cornerstone.

Stopping at New London to visit Lodge 608, I found the members so scattered that a meeting could not be held, but after visiting among some of the members I have reasons to believe that the experience of the past in this lodge will be a useful lesson in the future. I trust their Joint Protective Board will be successful in the reasonable schedule which they are submitting to their management.

At New Haven, I found the boys so busy that a special meeting could not be arranged, but had the pleasure of meeting the representatives of the R. G. & R. H. Joint Board which was then in session. From the manner in which the business was being conducted it was very evident that Bro. Kelly makes an excellent Chairman, and he has a model committee. It is to be hoped that their strenuous efforts will be well rewarded.

At Hartford, I attended a special meeting of Lodge 285, which was ably presided over by Bros. Bell, Brown and Evans, Bro. Hicky of 212 being present. A large number were in attendance, an applicant in readiness, lodge work excel lent, books up-to-date, and all eligible members enrolled.

I was present at a regular meeting of Lodge 307, which was well attended and up-to-date. They have an active membership, and business is well looked after by Bros. Ball and Leander, with a good set of assistants. We were agreeably surprised when we heard an alarm at the door and found First Vice Grand Master, C. A. Wilson, knocking for admittance. His words of encouragement and advice will be long remembered by those present. In company with Bro. C. A. Wilson I visited Lodge 563, in Merrick, at their regular meeting, where those

present witnessed Bro. Wilson initiate a member in a manner which was impressive and instructive, as well as listen to a talk on the general condition of the organization. Bro. McCarthy deserves great credit for the good standing of his lodge. I intended to have visited Lodge 493 at Danbury, but understood that on account of business on the road a meeting would be impossible unless I could meet them on a regular meeting day when the majority would be able to attend. I learned, however, that this lodge is in excellent condition and thoroughly up-todate.

A special meeting was arranged for me to meet as many as possible of the members of Lodge 73 at Worcester. I found about forty members present, books audited to date, ritual carried out to the letter, and great inducement for members to attend meetings regularly. I must congratulate Bro. Lymonds on having an ideal lodge.

At Havelock, I met several of the members of 648, whom I found interesting themselves in the work of their lodge. A few words of advice and instruction assisted them in their several duties. The future of this new lodge is bright.

In my travels I frequently come across two statements, one that the organization is "no good," and the other that "I have no money to join." In reply to the first I generally find the statement is made by a member who has got into trouble on the road, and, who stands about the roundhouse or on the street corners finding fault with the organization and those who take an active part in it, yet at the same time will do very little to assist himself or come before his lodge and have it dealt with in a proper form. Brother, before you feel disposed to turn down your organization, examine into what it has done for you in the past and what it may do for you in the future. If you will follow out its teachings and constitution, then examine yourself from an independent standpoint and see who is most at fault. If it is the organization, please supply a proper remedy and it will be readily accepted by its members, but do not expect much assistance unless you at first show a desire to help yourself.

In reply to the second statement. which is generally made by nonunion men when asked to join our Order, I would ask any member of our organization to figure out what it has cost him since he joined. Then on the opposite side put

down the increase of wages he has received in that same period. Consider the cost of the time which he formerly spent in scouring, painting front ends, dumping fires and punching flues, the amount of protection afforded him as a member, the cheaper cost of our insurance compared with any other having a disability clause included, add to that the difference in cost between the Firemen's Magazine and the books necessary to obtain the same knowledge as is contained therein, to say nothing of the unity, sociability and many benefits derived by being a member. Then strike a balance and see if there is any other investment

that will pay the same percentage on so small an outlay. Five cents per day (or the price of a cheap cigar) for a year will more than pay the actual cost of a fifteen-hundred-dollar life insurance, a disability and the Firemen's Magazine for that period. Ten cents per day will give him a three-thousand-dollar policy, a disability and the Magazine.

If these figures were placed before those who are not members they would realize the necessity of saving and investing a few dollars in our Order by hav ing their names added to the roll of membership. EUGENE A. BALL.

LODGE 153-(Member, Ft. Scott, Kas.) After a visit from our Third Vice Grand Master, Bro. Maier, of Parsons, Kas., I thought I would let the brothers know that we have revived from our slumbers and we are now ready for all, going and coming. Bro. Maier sent a telegram the 11th, saying he would be here the 15th, and for us to please arrange a meeting. It not being our regular meeting day, we did not turn out as we would liked to have done, but our worthy brother will overlook this. Bro. Maier talked to us about one and a half hours, which all enjoyed very much. I wish there had been a few more of the boys there to have heard him when he was talking on the importance of attending lodge meetings. I wish all members who attend lodge meetings regularly would make it their hobby to insist that others come to lodge meetings. If there was ever a member who had his whole heart in a cause, it is Bro. Maier. The way he talked and pleaded for the members to attend meetings and to take more interest in the lodge was just 0. K. We all felt bad at his not coming over to see us sooner, but after he explained how he was handicapped, of course we excused him. man in his official position is handicapped so he can not always go where he would like to. After his talk we had an experience meeting in which all members took part. I think his visit will help 153 for weeks to come. Come again, Bro.

A

Maier. H. C. Lord Lodge 153 will always welcome you.

Since my last letter we have had to drape our charter again. Our brother, Art Weatherwax, was killed by a switch engine turning over in the yard. Some cars were cornered, which tore the cab off the engine, breaking the boiler check off and leaving him to scald to death. He lived a few hours in the hospital in this city. Our hearts went out to his mother, whom it seemed could not bear to see him taken away. He was laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, where we have buried three firemen and two engineers who have lost their lives here on this road (Frisco) this year. It seems that the hand of fate was against us this year. We hope for a better year in 1904, when we can go forth in the discharge of our duties without so much fear that we will never return again, but we have taken heart and feel that the guardian angel will guide us home and protect us while we go forth on the road.

I still maintain and advocate that we try and use our influence for legislation in each State to compel the railroad companies to equip their engines for the safety of their employes with electric headlights. To use an electric headlight for a while and then go out some dark night and use an oil lamp is like committing a criminal offense. These modern equipments do not cost a great sum of money compared with the destruction