ing the means for the extension of their enterprise, it will be necessary to prepare a petition and submit the same to this board and await until it shall have considered the aspects of the case and either approved or disapproved.

Art. XII. Hereafter if any Chinese applying for a railway concession shall enter into a secret contract with foreigners to borrow foreign money-mortgaging the road applied for as security-and shall for the time obtain the concession under false representations, or if after the work shall have been commenced they shall clandestinely sell the concession to others, then as soon as this board shall learn of these facts and investigate the affair, or if the local viceroy or governor shall discover the same, not only will the road (so far as constructed) be confiscated and the concession canceled, but it will be further necessary to investigate the circumstances of the case, and according to the gravity of the offense to decide upon some form of punishment.

Art. XIII. All persons who may obtain a railway concession from this board, no matter whether Chinese or foreigner, must within six months after the granting of the concession survey the road, and within six months after the completion of the survey must commence the work of construction. The gauge of the road must be exactly 4 feet 81⁄2 inches English measurement, the same as that of the roads now in operation; moreover, the date of commencing the work must be reported to this board. If the limit of time shall be exceeded and no report be made, the concession shall be canceled, so as to prevent the occurrence of such evils as the pretense of raising shares of capital and using this as a pretext for swindling operations. If there should really any extraordinary circumstances arise, report must first be made to this board, which will make investigation and if it be found that there has really been no deception then the matter of extending the time may be taken into consideration.

Art. XIV. If at any place in any of the provinces where railways are in construction landowners shall raise the price of land, thus hindering or causing trouble, or if workmen, depending upon numbers, shall constitute a boycott (i. e., probably in order to secure unreasonable wages), it will be permitted the company to make a clear report of the matter to the local authorities, who shall issue a strict proclamation, suppress the disturbance, and prohibit, under severe penalties, all extortion

ate practices of yamen underlings. It must be known that railways are the foundation of commercial prosperity and profitable transportation, as well as an important enterprise of the imperial government. If the said local officials prove unable to give protection and evade their responsibilities, on investigation, if the facts be as reported, they shall be impeached and dismissed.

Art. XV. At present such experts as are needed in surveying for railways, estimating their cost, and superintending the construction are few in China, and it becomes necessary to permit the companies to engage foreign officers, and the local authorities of the places through which they may pass or where they are temporarily residing must use extra care in giving them protection; they must not allow the least unforeseen danger to arise. If the said foreign officers are themselves unmindful of the properties and set social restraints at defiance, it is permitted the local authorities to notify the company so that they may be discharged. They must not be screened and protected improperly by being transferred to some other road to be employed. If their faults be serious it is permitted to report them to this board, which shall transmit the complaint to the various consuls concerned. They shall not be allowed to travel or reside in China.

Art. XVI. No matter whether Chinese or foreigners may apply to viceroys and governors of provinces for railway concessions, it will be necessary for the said viceroys and governors to make a careful investigation as to whether or not the proposed road will be really of advantage to Chinese commerce or transportation, and whether or not there may be any violations of these present regulations involved in the matter. As soon as they shall report, this board will take the matter into consideration and deal with it.

Art. XVII. If a company shall get into a quarrel, or there arise any other difficulty affecting the interests of the company, if it be a Chinese one the nearest local official may try and decide the case fairly, thus preventing injustice to either party. If the judgment given does not satisfy, it will be permitted to appeal to this board, which will consider the case and deal with it so as to give due protection. Should trouble arise between Chinese and foreign merchants, each of the two parties ought to nominate a man to discuss and decide it. If the two arbitrators can not agree in their opinions,

they may together nominate a third just and upright man, no matter whether connected with the railway or an outsider, and these together may effect a settlement. The governments of the two nationalities shall not concern themselves with the case.

Art. XVIII. Railways and mines are two separate concerns and each should be managed in accordance with its own regulations. Those who apply for railway concessions must not demand the right to work mines in connection with them. Formerly, railway companies had regulations for working mines along their lines. It will not be permitted hereafter to quote this as a precedent. If there be no place near from which to obtain a supply of coal, and this causes the company so much trouble that it seems likely to suffer loss, they ought, as occasion may require, to petition this board, making a clear statement of the circumstances and await our investigation and approval or disapproval. If the application be disapproved, they may not thereafter present any further petition upon the subject. This is to prevent confusion.

Art. XIX. Formerly, the general bureau of mines and railways decided upon a form for making reports. These forms will still be furnished by this board to each company, which shall at the end of each year carefully fill in all the details required and present the same to this board for its inspection and to be placed on file.

Art. XX. When application has been made for a railway concession and the same has been granted, the company may at once draw up a contract. If there should be some items not fully settled, concerning which provisions ought to be made in the contract, it will be permitted to consider them and insert such provisions, but nothing must be inserted which will conflict with these regulations. When

the contract is arranged a copy must be made and presented to this board for its consideration and approval. Only after this is done may it be signed. After the work has been completed, should there be places where it is necessary to establish custom houses, this board will consult with the board of revenue as to their location and take appropriate action.

Art. XXI. Whenever Chinese or foreign merchants are operating railways, should military matters require the Chinese imperial government to transport troops, rations, pay, weapons, or any supplies necessary to the camp, they shall be given the right of way and transported at half rates.

Art. XXII. When a railway is under construction or after the railway shall have been completed, should it be necessary to employ police, it will be permitted to use one or two Chinese to each li* of railway, but they will not be allowed to bear arms. If it should be necessary to use soldiers to guard the railway, a petition to that effect must first be presented and this board will consult with the Tartar generals, viceroys, and governors of the provinces concerned as to sending such troops; the company must not act upon its own authority. Provisions and pay for such troops must be supplied by the railway.

Art. XXIII. Railways and postoffices are of mutual assistance. All who operate railways ought to carry the mail bags of the imperial postoffice. The detailed regulations as to this matter will be drawn up at the proper time.

Art. XXIV. The foregoing articles are the regulations in general for the construction and operation of railways. Matters not definitely decided therein may be set forth in detail at the time when concessions are granted and contracts are drawn up.-Daily Consular Reports.

*1 li=2,115 feet.

The Toronto, Ontario, Conflagration.

Those of our members who were delegates and visitors to the Sixth Biennial Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, held in Toronto in 1898, and who partook of the genuine hospitality of our Canadian brothers and the citizens of Toronto, will be pained to learn that on the night of April 19th a fire started which for a time threatened complete destruction to the city. The fire, which started about 9 o'clock in the evening, baffled all efforts of the fire department until about 8 o'clock the next morning, when it was gotten under control. More than 150 buildings were laid waste in the wholesale district, entailing a property loss which is variously estimated at from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000.

Owing to the high winds which were blowing at the time, the local fire department was unable to deal with the fire effectively, and it became necessary to ap

ply to nearby cities for help. Montreal and Buffalo responded to the appeal with fire engines and men. The winds shifting in the early morning sent the flames into the residence district, destroying many houses and making homeless many of the citizens. A press dispatch, dated Toronto, Ont., April 20th, says:

"The blaze started in a factory on Wellington street, and, despite the efforts of the firemen to confine it there, the buildings on both sides of the thoroughflames leaped across the street and soon

fare were blazing fiercely. The work of the firemen was hampered by falling walls and masses of tangled telephone and teleof a six-story building the flames cut off graph wires. While working on the top the escape of Chief Thompson and Fireman George Dowkes. Thompson made a leap to the ground below. His fall was broken by the telegraph wires and he escaped with a broken leg. Dowkes has not been seen since, and it is believed that he has perished. Finding that the fire was beyond their control, a call for help was sent to Buffalo, Montreal and Hamilton. Several blocks were now in flames, including all buildings on the south side of Wellington street, and on Bay street east to Yonge street. The firemen were assisted in their work by citizens, many of whom left their homes and came down town to aid in the work.

"The fire worked in the direction of the Customs House, Board of Trade and Bank of Montreal. When the flames reached Howland's warehouse, where much gunpowder was stored, there were several explosions. This made the work of the firemen extremely perilous. Thousands of people crowded near the scene of the fire and many merchants went to their places of business several blocks from the fire and commenced to move their goods to places of safety. The wind held strong from the west, blowing a gale which sent

showers of flaming sparks and brands high in the air and threatening destruction to houses in other parts of the city. It was not until there was abatement of the wind, at 7 o'clock this morning, that it seemed assured that the fire would spread no further. A final stand was made by the fire department near the Bank of Montreal, and here, after the hardest kind of work the flames were halted on the north side of Front street and on the south side at the Customs House."

Sparks.

Suitable resolutions of sympathy and condolence have been adopted by the members of Lodge 141, Fort Wayne, Ind., on account of the death of Bro. John A. Howard, of that lodge, which occurred April 10, 1904, at the home of his mother in Chicago, Ill.

The Magazine has been requested to call the attention of the secretaries of lodges in the State of New York to the fact that on and after May 1, 1904, all communications intended for the Secretary of the Legislative Board should be addressed to No. 11 Delaware street, Albany, N. Y.

Any member of the Brotherhood who desires to make a little extra money during slack business will do well to write for our "Special Offer to Subscription Solicitors," which will be in effect from June 1st to September 1st. This is an offer that may not be repeated. The Magazine wants new subscribers, and if you want to make some money, perhaps we can "get together" to our mutual advantage. Write and see.

Bro. Wm. Cushing, Secretary of Lodge 390, B. of L. F., writes that as the great World's Fair at St. Louis has opened, rooms are at a premium, and advises that one of the members has furnished a large room which he is informed will be let to Brotherhood men only. Any of our members wishing to secure a room while attending the fair should engage it two weeks in advance by addressing Bro. Wm. Cushing, at 7807 Minnesota avenue, St. Louis, Mo.

Mr. Hamilton Carhartt is famed the country over as the manufacturer of the

renowned "Carhartt" overalls. Mr. Carharrt is also interested in the manufacture of the F. P. Sargent glove, which he has been advertising in the Magazine for the past two or three years. Mr. Carhartt has now entered upon a campaign of advertising his splendid overalls. He and his business methods are favorably known to our readers and no doubt his advertisement on the inside back cover of the Magazine will be a splendid success.

The McConway & Torley Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., are still using their advertising space in the Magazine to make inquiries of our readers for information concerning the causes of any railroad accidents that may come to their attention. If you know anything that you believe the manufacturers of the "Kelso" car coupler would like to know, write to them. They will be glad to hear from you and will perhaps send you booklets or other printed matter that will be of interest to you.

The Illinois Watch Company. of Springfield, Ill., offers in this month's issue of their regular advertisement to send a handsome leather card and receipt case free to any of our readers upon request. Numerous complaints of lost traveling cards and receipts are received from members almost every month, and this generous offer on the part of the Illinois Watch Company will afford any of our readers an opportunity to get a desirable card case without any expense and for the little trouble of asking for it.

Bro. J. M. Dodge, of Lodge No. 386, at San Diego, Cal., has joined capital with the real estate firm of Folsom Brothers & Co., of San Diego. This firm has a handsome full-page advertisement on the page in this issue of the Magazine following the last page of reading matter, in which they make attractive offers to readers who have ambitions to some day own a home in delightful Southern California. Bro. Dodge has for years been prominently identified with the active work of the Brotherhood, and formerly served in the position of Vice Grand Master. Bro. Dodge has a wide acquaintance throughout the membership of the Brotherhood, and his many friends will wish him success in his business venture. If you are interested in California building lots, an

swer his advertisement in this issue of the Magazine, and he may have something to say that will interest you.

The "Newport" high-back overalls are being advertised in the Magazine every month by Messrs. B. F. Moore & Co., of Newport, Vermont. This company commenced business fourteen years ago, with a small plant of six sewing machines, but have added to their equipment from time to time as their trade demanded. They have doubled their output within the last year, and now have one of the largest factories for the manufacture of unionmade overalls in the New England States. They are in close touch with the denim mills of New England, and have many facilities for turning out high-grade goods. Write for their free time-book.

Anonymous communications have been received since the May issue of the Magazine, as follows: One signed "A fireman in good standing," by a member of Lodge 28, one from "Member, Lodge 649," and another signed "From the boomer tallow pot on the Missouri Division of the Iron Mountain." As has been stated time and again, all articles intended for publication in the Magazine must be accom

panied by the name of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as evidence of good faith on his part. If the writers of the above letters will kindly furnish this office with their proper names their communications will be accorded due consideration.

The

International Correspondence Schools, of Scranton, Pa., are represented at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition by a handsome building, a picture of which is shown in their advertisement in this month's issue of the Magazine, to which the attention of the reader is directed. The structure faces the Plaza in the Model Village, which is a very interesting feature of the Exposition. The lower floor is devoted to a public exhibition of the plans and methods of the schools, with specimens of the work of students. The second floor, furnished with all conveniences and comforts, is used as a postoffice, reading room and in fact a rendezvous for I. C. S. students and their friends. The schools were founded in 1891 and now conduct 170 courses of instruction and in the past twelve years have enrolled over 650,000 students in all parts of the world. A book entitled "1001 Stories of Success" is sent free for the asking.

Report of Joint Meeting at Colum bus, Ohio.

The meeting held and the banquet given by the six local lodges of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen in the Knights of Pythias Hall at Columbus, Ohio, on May 8, 1904, was very pleasant and entertaining to all who were present. It brought members into closer touch with their affairs, enabled the officers to become better acquainted with the work ings and personnel of their sister lodges, and presented opportunities in many ways for the greater good of the different lodges and the organization as a whole.

While the joint meeting was called for the initiation of new members, it brought out many inspiring thoughts worth relating. At 2 p. m. the meeting was called

to order by Bro. George W. Poor, Master of Lodge 9, with Bro. W. H. Nason of Lodge 9 as Secretary.

Upon the motion of Bro. McDonald of 537, Second Vice Grand Master Shea took the chair and appointed the following officers for the joint meeting, to wit: Bro. Leonard Lawrence, of Lodge 9, Chaplain ; Bro. W. T. Martin, of Lodge 9, Vice Master; Bro. R. S. Armstrong, Master of 545, Past Master; Bro. McDonald, Master of 537, Warden; Bro. Stone, Secretary and Treasurer of 583, Inner Guard; Bro. H. Paulen, Master of 239, Outer Guard; Bro. Rheinhart, of 445, Conductor; Bro. W. H. Nason, Secretary of Lodge 9, acted as Secretary of the joint meeting.

The number of candidates for initiation was twenty-seven, only five of whom