Official Button and Other Emblem- Grand Secretary and Treasurer should atic Pins. A letter has recently reached the Magazine office from which we would infer that the writer is under the impression that inasmuch as the last convention adopted an "official" lapel button should deny advertising space in the Magazine to jewelers and others offering for sale emblems of the organization, such as watch charms, pins, rings, etc. we With a view to clearing up any possible misunderstanding that may still prevail relative to this matter we desire to say that our organization has adopted and patented the design of only one form of of ficial emblem, hence, it is in no sense an infringement of that design patent or an interference with said action of the convention for any individual or firm to devise, manufacture and offer for sale an emblem of our Brotherhood in any other form, and furthermore, the Editor and Manager could not, under existing postal regulations, refuse to sell space in the Magazine for the purpose of advertising such articles of commerce; as evidence of which fact we şubmit the following questions and answers which constitute a part of our application for entry at the Indianapolis postoffice as second-class matter under our new name: Q. "Can any house in good standing advertise in your publication at the regular published rates?" A. "Yes, providing the advertisement is not objectionable or offensive in character." Q. "Are advertisements of competitors accepted at the usual rates?" A. "Yes" devise and have patented the design of an emblem or button suitable to our new name and to be known as the "official" emblem or button, the same to be purchased from the Grand Lodge only. The design of this button is very attractive and it should prove popular. It is made of rolled gold and the highest grade of enamel, and is guaranteed by the manufacturers to be first-class in workmanship. Our members desiring to purchase these buttons should order same through some officer of their lodge. The price at which the button is sold to our members is $1 each, with a discount of 25 per cent. on all orders of ten or more-that is, if an order for ten buttons is sent at one time it will only be necessary to send a remittance of $7.50; if twenty buttons are ordered at one time it will only be necessary to remit $15, etc. In all cases such orders and remittances should be sent direct to Bro. W. S. Carter, Grand Secretary and Treasurer, Peoria, Illinois. The convention had, of course, no desire to restrict our members to the purchase or use of our official button to the exclusion of all other emblems of the Order that might be offered for sale. Inasmuch, therefore, as it is the privilege of any individual or firm in proper standing to make and offer for sale any form of B. of L. F. and E. emblem that is not an infringement of our official patented design of button, the Editor and Manager could not refuse them advertising space in the Magazine, and much less could space be refused them on the grounds of their being competitors. It should be understood that the official button, the design of which has been patented by the Grand Secretary and Treasurer, and offered for sale by the Grand Lodge, is the only "official" emblem or the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and every member should endeavor to secure one from Brother Carter, either directly or through his lodge, and wear it continuously in his lapel. At the same time, if any member is desirous of wearing some other emblem of the organization, whether it be a ring, pin or watch charm, there is nothing to prevent him from so doing, but, before thus indulging his fancy, he should endeavor, as a matter of regard for the Brotherhood and its official emblem, to supply himself with one of our official buttons first. No manufacThe last convention provided that the turer is permitted to make a button or It can be seen from the foregoing that it would be a violation of the postal regulations under which the Magazine is accepted for transmission through the mails as second-class matter were we to deny any reputable house space in its advertising pages, and that even if we were ourselves manufacturing and offering for sale charms, pins, rings and emblems of our Order in addition to an official patented design of button and we were to refuse advertising space to any individual or concern dealing in such emblems and not infringing on our design patent, or to charge them a prohibitive or even an excessive rate for such space, we would be in danger of having the Magazine excluded from the mails. emblem which includes the patent design of the official button. There are many emblems on the market which are attractive and desirable, but every member should, before securing any other, possess himself of one of our official lapel buttons and wear it continuously. Important Notice. Mr. H. W. Sheridan, trainmaster, Union Pacific Railway, Green River, Wyo., wishes it understood that he is not the H. W. Sheridan referred to in the April Magazine, as reported by Bro. J. J. Curran, master, and Bro. John Brabrazon, secretary, Lodge 439, Birmingham, Ala. The transaction referred to took place January 17, 1907, at Birmingham, Ala., at which time Mr. H. W. Sheridan, trainmaster, Union Pacific Railway, was at Green River, where he is now located. Advance in Canadian Postal Rates On account of the much larger volume of second-class mail matter which goes from the United States to Canada than comes from Canada to the United States, the Canadian postal authorities in November last gave notice that after May vember last gave notice that after May 7, 1907, that part of the existing postal agreement relating to the admission of newspapers and periodicals from the United States at the one cent per pound rate would be abrogated. It is estimated that about ten times as much second-class mail matter goes into Canada from the United States as comes into the United States from Canada, and it is, therefore, but natural that the Dominion postal authorities should not feel altogether satisfied with the present arrangement, but it is to be regretted that organized labor magazines and journals, published as they are in the interest of education and progress, rather than for profit, have not been made an exception to the new rule. Postmaster-General Meyer did everything possible to protect the interests of American publishers. He sought to have the old agreement continue in force until Congress could have an opportunity of legislating upon the question of secondclass postage, as was contemplated by the appointment of a postal commission to investigate the subject, but the best possible compromise he could secure was the one-cent-for-four-ounces arrangement which was entered into. It is to be hoped that some understanding can yet be reached between the two countries whereby periodicals in the interest of education and progress rather than profit will be given special consideration by the Dominion government in the matter of postal rates. Postmasters-General Limeux, of Canada, and Meyer, of the United States, recently had a conference at Washington which resulted in the promulgation of regulations advancing the rates on such Official Changes. mail matter from one to four cents per pound, which means an increase in the expense of sending the Magazine to our Canadian brothers each month equaling about one-fifth of the present cost of mailing the entire issue. Under the arrangements at present existing we have been sending the Magazine to our members in Canada at the same postal rates under which it is being sent to members in the United States or Mexico, but with the inauguration of new regulations on the 8th of the current month it will be necessary The resignation of Brother Charles W. Maier has created the necessity for other changes in the personnel of the official family of the Brotherhood. By right of seniority Brother Eugene A. Ball becomes Third Vice Grand Master and Brother A. P. Kelly, Fourth Vice Grand Master, and the vacancy occasioned by these promotions has been filled by the Grand Executive Board electing its chairman, Brother Asa Dillon, to the position of Fifth Vice Grand Master. Brother Albert Philips, of Lodge No. 58, has "Railroad Men's Catechism" is a new book for train service employes that is published by Railway and Locomotive Engineering and is advertised in this month's Magazine in full-page space. This book treats especially on the different examination series of the leading railway systems. Any fireman in line for examination for promotion should have this book to help him post up. Brother J. H. Wallace of Lodge 548 writes that business is good on the Cotton Belt, and that the members of his lodge are good, live B. of L. F. and E. men and intend remaining so, and that Please remember that we can not reproduce pictures from newspapers. Spring is here and it's time for house cleaning. Many of our readers will need to buy new carpets, rugs and various house furnishings this spring. Those who contemplate making purchases of that kind will do well to answer the advertisement of the Hartman Furniture Co. in this issue of the Magazine, and get their prices. The Hartman Furniture Co. is looking for customers among our readers, and it may be able to save you money on your spring purchases. Did you say that you wanted to post up on the Electric Headlight? Well, we have the book, and if you will send fifty cents to John F. McNamee, 806-807 Traction Terminal Building, Indianapolis, Ind., you will find out that it is the best on the market-in fact the only one that is small enough to be conveniently stowed away in your vest pocket. They hit the mark every time. When a lodge can not get through its routine work within the specified time, it is evidence that it is growing and that it needs more time in which to do its work. Don't send a boy on a man's errand. Are you a union man in every sense of the word? Do the overalls you wear bear the union label? Do the shoes you wear bear the union stamp? Do the shirts you wear bear the union label? Do the gloves you wear bear the union label? Union-made goods in these four the membership of the lodge is constantly lines are being advertised in our Magaincreasing. The Electric Headlight has received the attention of the legislators. Some of the States have passed laws requiring railways to adopt them on all road engines. Are you posted? If not, send fifty cents to John F. McNamee, 806-807 Traction Terminal Building, Indianapolis, Ind., for a copy of the "Catechism of the Electric Headlight" and post your self. Brothers sending in clippings from newspapers should be careful to show name and date of the paper from which they are clipped, so that if used we can give due credit. zine every month. We should patronize those who patronize us. Examine the next suit of overalls you buy and see to it that it is made by a firm which advertises in the Magazine. See that your next pair of gloves comes from the factory of one of our Magazine advertisers. The manufacturer who will not advertise his goods in your Magazine does not care for your patronage. The manufaczine does turer who does advertise in your Magawant your patronage, and there's the difference. Mr. William Thompson, president and general manager of the Kalamazoo Stove Co., has recently been re-elected to a second term as mayor of the city of Kalamazoo, Mich. Mr. Thompson's past then maybe they will manifest their manadministration as mayor of Kalamazoo liness by putting in an application for has been characterized as a most membership. Try it. thorough business administration and earned for him a re-election by a strong plurality. Mr. Thompson's ability as a business man is plainly seen in the wonderful growth of the Kalamazoo Stove Co., which he organized and has managed for a number of years. There are thousands of Kalamazoo stoves in the homes of our readers and the advertise ment of that company is running regularly in our Magazine. Did you say there were some nonbrotherhood men working on your division? Tell them why you joined the Brotherhood and the good it has accomplished, and maybe they will see it in the same light. Tell them it cost a good many dollars to make the schedule, and Some brother has kindly sent us several newspaper clippings, and has even written a letter, but as he does not show from what papers they were taken and has not signed the letter, we can not give them any recognition. about the electric headlight, and why not The other fellow is beginning to learn you? Send for a Catechism of the Electric Headlight, which will set you right. You did intend to? Well, then, don't hesitate; address your letter, with remittance, to John F. McNamee, Editor and Manager of the Magazine, 806-807 Traction Terminal Building, Indianapolis, Ind., and he will send you the book you need. It only costs fifty cents. BROTHERHOOD BULLETINS FOR THE INFORMATION OF ALL LODGES MEMBERS. Assistance Greatly Appreciated. The Grand Secretary and Treasurer takes this opportunity of expressing his sincere thanks to those treasurers who 80 kindly remitted their assessments early in April. This kindness on their part aided in relieving the office of the Grand Secretary and Treasurer of the congestion of business which has resulted when more than half of all treasurers manage to make their remittances reach the Grand Lodge within twenty-four hours of noon on the 20th of the month. Initiation of Members Over Age Limit. Section 163 says that "in case an applicant is unable to pass the required medical examination, or is over the age limit, to participate in the Beneficiary Department, but is otherwise eligible to become a member, shall be admitted as a non-beneficiary member." The Grand Master has interpreted this clause to mean that if an applicant for membership is over the age limit he will not be required to undergo a medical examination and make application for a beneficiary certificate. Section 162 places this age limit at forty-five years of age. Thus, it will be understood by all secretaries that unless an applicant is over forty-five years of age a regular application for beneficiary certificate must be filed by the applicant at the time of his initiation. The Grand Medical Examiner is required by the Constitution to pass upon the physical qualifications of all applicants, except those past fortyfive years of age. To take the place of the application for beneficiary certificate (Form S 19) secretaries are hereby directed to file the application for membership (Form S 3) with the Grand Lodge for all persons who are admitted as non-beneficiary members |