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lodge are made in writing to the grand executive board, which institutes a trial. From its decision an appeal may be taken to the next meeting of the grand lodge, All printing, badges, and supplies are furnished to the local lodges by the grand lodge, and are provided under the direction of the grand secretary and treasurer and grand chief carman, who are required to do business so far as possible only with firms employing union labor. The local lodges are required to have an initiation fee of not less than $1 and monthly dues not less than 25 cents. The qualifications for membership specify that any male white person, from 18 to 60 years of age, who believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, and is free from hereditary or contracted disease, of good moral character, and steady habits, and who has been actively employed for 1 year, and is so employed at the time he seeks to join, as car builder, car inspector, car repairer, car oiler or coach cleaner when he is qualified to repair cars, and any planing-mill man when he is competent to frame cars, is eligible to membership. Persons over 60, otherwise qualified, may be admitted, but not to the beneficiary department. Applications for membership are referred to a committee of 3 and reported upon before a vote is taken; three black balls reject, and the candidate can not be proposed again for 6 months. A member 3 months in arrears for dues is suspended, and one a year in arrears may be dropped. Suspended members may be reinstated within 1 year by a majority vote of their lodge upon payment of all dues, and members who have been dropped may be reinstated upon payment of $1 upon making due application. A member who has no visible means of support, and makes no effort to obtain support for himself or family, must be suspended or expelled at the discretion of the lodge; any member engaging in the sale of intoxicating liquors or other unlawful business must withdraw from the order. Members who refuse to serve in any office or on any committee to which they are elected are liable to a fine of $1. The constitution of the order may be amended at the biennial convention by a majority vote of all lodges in good standing, 60 days' notice having been given.

The Journal of the Railway Carmen is published monthly and sent free to every member in good standing. It provides space devoted to advertising vacancies for carmen and to other methods of securing employment.

The beneficiary department is separately organized, but with the same officers as the grand lodge. Local lodges must appoint an insurance agent to solicit members and explain insurance plan and to collect all moneys for initiation, assessments, and dues, and forward the same to the secretary and treasurer, deducting only the actual cost of express for money orders and postage. Any member in good standing not over 60 years of age, who shall pass a satisfactory physical examination, is eligible to membership in the mutual aid association. The examination is conducted by the insurance agent. At the death or total disability of a member of this association, and within 60 days after proof of death or disability, the association pays to the disabled member, or in case of death to the beneficiary mentioned in certificate, the amount of one full assessment, not to exceed the amount specified in the certificate of membership, which may be $250, $500, or $1,000. The membership fee in the association is 50 cents, the annual dues 60 cents, from which amounts the expenses of the association must be defrayed and balances transferred to the benefit fund. Assessments are made as follows: Upon the death of a member of the association, or upon notice of total disability, every member pays 25 cents on a certificate of $250; 50 cents on $500, and $1 on $1,000. All assessments must be paid within 30 days, upon the expiration of which the secretary sends a second notice, and then if not paid within 10 days the member stands suspended and debarred from all benefits of the association. Total disability is defined as loss of both feet or both arms or both eyes, loss of one arm or one leg, or such other causes as shall be decided upon by a competent board of physicians to be such as would forever debar one from gaining a living by manual labor. Members must make their benefits payable to those dependent upon them-first, wife and children; second, father and mother, brothers or sisters, or others who are dependent upon them. In addition to this, sick benefits are often paid by local lodges; likewise funeral donations and donations to members in need. Provision is made in the constitution of the local lodges for visiting the sick, and members failing to perform this duty when it is assigned to them are liable to fine. Since September, 1899, it is reported that the local lodges of the carmen had paid sick benefits amounting to $212.25; funeral benefits, $112.75, and donations, $85 to $90. It is quite probable that some amounts paid by local lodges were not reported to the grand lodge.

The history of the carmen's brotherhood shows plainly that the organization was extremely weak until within the last year, and that it is now beginning to develop new strength. The reason for this is attributable not only to the hostility of the railroad corporations, but more largely to unwise management in the

past. The objects of the brotherhood, as stated in the preamble to the constitution, are worthy ones, namely, to exalt the character and increase the efficiency of carmen, and to encourage sobriety, education, and fidelity to duty, and to provide for those dependent upon them in case of accident or the uncertainties of employment. Unfortunately, however, in 1893 the grand secretary and treasurer of the brotherhood resigned his position to become general secretary of the American Railway Union, and advised the local lodges to join the union in a body. As a result, the membership decreased, and for several years the future of the brotherhood was extremely uncertain. Under new leadership since 1899 the brotherhood is gaining in strength.

Statistics of Brotherhood of Railway Carmen's Mutual Aid Association, 1892 to

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VIII. The Brotherhood of Railroad Bridgemen.-This is a new organization, and has as yet a small membership. The main features of its constitution are as follows:

Any male person 21 years of age and not over 50 years who is a wage earner, and works in the bridge and building department of any railway, is eligible to membership. The brotherhood covers in general the following occupations: Laborers, pump repairers, well sinkers, cement workers, iron, wood, and stone bridge builders, building carpenters and repairers, pump men, pile-driver men, and crib workers. Applicants for membership are balloted for either by open vote when a two-thirds vote is necessary to elect, or by ball ballot when three black balls reject. The brotherhood meets biennially in convention, known as the supreme lodge. The supreme lodge has final authority in brotherhood matters, and may amend the constitution by a two-thirds vote. The principal officers of the brotherhood are members of the supreme lodge, and each local union or division lodge is represented by 1 delegate for the first 100 members or fraction thereof, and 1 additional delegate for each additional 100 members. The principal officers are, a supreme master foreman, five chief foremen, and a secretary-treasurer. The supreme master foreman may suspend any local union or officer for a violation of the constitution and by-laws of the national union, and may fill any vacancy among the supreme lodge officers with the consent of the executive council. The executive council is composed of all the officers, and it constitutes a national board of arbitration and conciliation. It has full power to legislate for the brotherhood in the intervals between conventions. It is especially directed to watch legislative measures affecting the interests of the brotherhood, and to effect such legislation as the supreme lodge may direct. Members of the executive council not in receipt of a regular salary, including their expenses, from the brotherhood, receive $2.50 per day and hotel expenses when engaged on brotherhood business. The secretary-treasurer receives $3.50 per day and expenses; he is not allowed to hold more than $500 subject to his order, and must deposit funds in excess of this amount in the name of the trustees. The revenues of the brotherhood are derived from a charter fee of $25 for each local union, which receives for this amount a seal and outfit of books, stationery, and a per capita tax of 20 cents per month from all members in good standing, together with fines and assessments, initiation fees, and moneys received from local unions for supplies. The executive council may levy assessments when necessary. A member 3 months in arrears in dues is not in good standing, and forfeits his rights in the benefit department until his dues are paid; if he is 6 months in arrears, he is suspended, and can be readmitted only as a new member. No member losing his position because of intoxication can receive out-of-work benefit, nor can he receive sick or disability benefit when sickness was caused by the use of alcoholic

beverages. A member guilty of drunkenness is liable to a fine of $10 to $20 for the first offense, and expulsion for the second. Members may be expelled or fined for drunkenness, crime, or scabbing, or for buying nonunion made goods when union-labor goods can be obtained or for undermining a fellow-member in prices or wages, or for calumniating a fellow-member, or for revealing the business of the brotherhood.

The constitution of the brotherhood declares that no member of the labor union ought to work for any political party, except a trades or labor party. Members who appear on any other party platform are enemies of the brotherhood and of all organized labor. The brotherhood has in its programme the following demands: Direct legislation, proportional representation, universal suffrage for both sexes, Government and municipal ownership of all public utilities and franchises, compulsory arbitration of the New Zealand type, an eight-hour day, and the issue of all currency and the loaning of money by the General Government only.

The provision for the inauguration of strikes requires a two-thirds vote of the local union concerned. After such a vote is taken by secret ballot, the sanction of the executive council is necessary, and any local engaging in a general strike without such sanction may be expelled. A member who seeks work or takes work where a strike or lockout is pending, is subject to a fine of $25 or expulsion, or both.

To become a member of the beneficiary department, a member of the brotherhood must not be less than 21 or more than 50 years of age, and must be in sound health. Men afflicted with chronic disease or over 50 years of age may become semibeneficial members not entitled to accident and sick benefits, but entitled to a death benefit not exceeding $40. On the death of a beneficial member after one year's membership, a funeral benefit of $75 is paid; after two years, $150; after three years, $200; after 4 years, $250, and after five years, $300. A member permanently disabled by accident is entitled to $100 on one year's membership. and an additional $100 for each additional year up to 5, but no benefit is paid if the disability is due to negligence or to the use of alcoholic drinks. A sick benefit of $7 per week is paid for not more than 15 weeks in any one year, provided sickness is not caused by debauchery, intemperance, or other immoral conduct. Out-of-work benefit of $3 per week is paid for not more than 6 weeks in any one year. A traveling benefit may be obtained in the form of a loan not exceeding $15 at one time, when a member out of employment wishes to leave the jurisdiction of his local lodge. The strike benefit is $7 per week for the first 16 weeks and $5 per week thereafter. A funeral benefit of $25 is paid upon the death of a wife after one year's membership and $50 after two years' membership, provided the wife was in good health when the brother joined the brotherhood. The same benefit is paid to an unmarried member on the death of a widowed mother whom he was supporting. If any local union owes 3 months' dues or taxes to the brotherhood, its members are not entitled to any benefits until all arrearages are paid; and any member 3 months in arrears forfeits all benefits until 3 months after his arrearages are paid.

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IX. The Switchmen's Union of North America.-The switchmen's union is the outgrowth of the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association, which was at one time a large and flourishing organization, but was 'dissolved through disintegration and a defalcation on the part of their secretary and treasurer.' The reorganization was effected in 1897. The objects of the union are stated in the preamble to the present constitution as follows: "(1) Benevolence. To unite and promote the general welfare and advance the interests-social, moral, and intellectual of its members; benevolence, very needful in a calling as hazardous as ours, has led to the organization of this union. (2) Hope. Believing that it is for the best interests, both of our members and their employers, that a good understanding should at all times exist between them, it will be the constant endeavor of this union to establish mutual confidence and create and maintain harmonious relations between employer and employee. (3) Protection. By kindly bearing with each other's weakness, aiding with our counsel distressed or erring brothers, and to exercise at all times its influence in the interests of right and justice. The special object of this union is to raise a fund for the legitimate expenses of the union."

The grand lodge is located at Buffalo, N. Y. The officers are a grand master, 5 vice-grandmasters, grand secretary and treasurer, editor of journal, and a board of directors composed of three members and one delegate from each subordinate lodge. The officers are elected at the annual convention, held on the third Monday in May. Five persons may petition for a charter for a subordinate lodge, the fee for which is $25. The grand lodge conducts a beneficiary department, has power to levy a per capita tax for grand lodge dues, and to levy special assessments. Each lodge

must be represented in the annual convention and delegates are paid $5 per day out of the convention fund levied by assessment by the grand lodge.

The beneficiary department of the grand lodge levies assessments of $1 per month from each member for each certificate of $600. The fuli amount of certificate is paid on loss of foot, half of foot, hand or thumb, and three fingers, or four fingers of one hand at or above the second joint by complete severance thereof, or upon other disability that permanently prevents a member from performing the duties of a switchman.

Membership in the union is obtained by joining a subordinate lodge. A candidate must be white, of good moral character, have had six months' experience as a switchman, and be actually employed in railroad service at the time of application. No person engaged in the liquor traffic shall be eligible to membership. Pilots, switchtenders, and yardmasters are eligible. The initiation fee shall not be less than $2. The grand dues of each member are $3 per year payable quarterly in advance.

X. Ladies' auxiliaries to the brotherhoods.-These are organizations similar in plan to the brotherhoods themselves, in which the wives and sisters of railway employees work for the betterment of their own intellectual and material condition, and endeavor to assist in the relief work of the brotherhoods, in looking after their members and their families. Five auxiliaries exist at present.

(1) The Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, organized in Chicago, October 21, 1887. It has several hundred subdivisions located at important railroad centers, and several thousand members. It instituted a voluntary relief association in March, 1890, statistics of which, as published by Professor Johnson in his article on relief and insurance of railway employees, shows that in 1896 out of 5,395 members, 1,621 were members of the relief association, carrying 2,167 policies, assessments for which averaged for the year $7.25, out of which 33 claims were paid aggregating $14,159.63. The benefit paid on each policy is the sum received from an assessment of 25 cents on each outstanding policy, the total amount not to exceed $500. Each member is allowed to carry two policies.

(2) The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Order of the Railway Conductors, organized in February, 1888, had a membership in July, 1897, of about 2,500, organized in 105 divisions. The membership in June, 1898, was 2,775. The objects of this auxiliary as declared in its constitution are:

First. To unite the interests of the wives of the members of the Order of Railway Conductors for moral and social improvement.

Second. To secure to its members support and assistance in time of sickness or distress.

Third. To provide for organizing subordinate divisions, and for the government, control, or dissolution of the same, all as may be provided in the laws and rules which may be adopted from time to time.

Fourth. To cooperate with the Order of Railway Conductors in further extending their interests and membership.

Fifth. Also to cheerfully sustain the cause of temperance, both in the grand division and subordinate divisions.

(3) The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, organized at Fort Gratiot, Mich., in January, 1889, had a membership in July, 1897, of about 2,200, organized in 122 divisions.

(4) The Ladies' Society of Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen was organized at Tucson, Ariz., April, 1887, and formally recognized as an auxiliary in the brotherhood in September, 1890. It has a voluntary benevolent insurance association.

(5) The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers was established in 1897, and has no insurance association. In the ladies' organizations of the engineers and railway conductors only the wives of members or widows whose husbands were members of good standing at the time of death are eligible to membership. The firemen's and trainmen's auxiliaries are broader in their membership requirements and admit the mother, wife or widow, sister, married or unmarried, or daughter of one of the members." These organizations enlist the interest of the families of railroad men in the work of the brotherhoods, in their journals and publications, and encourage visiting of the sick and considerable mutual help of a charitable character.

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Some further data relating to the insurance features of the auxiliary, and also to the home for aged and disabled employees located at Highland Park, on Lake Michigan, 22 miles north of Chicago, may be found in Professor Johnson's article Relief and insurance of railway employees.

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1 Labor Bulletin, July, 1898.

§ 11. EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, AND FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS.

From the discussion of the requirements of railway service, as brought out in part 2 of this report, and from the history of the railway orders and fraternities, it is evident that the class spirit prevails among railway employees to as great an extent, if not greater, than is the case in most occupations or professions. The brotherhood organizations are, of course, the most important of all efforts at association on the part of railway employees. They are in a sense both educational and fraternal, and, using the term in its broadest sense, might even be said to be religious, because some of them at least are imbued with a desire to realize a larger life and to emphasize a spirit of mutual helpfulness. In addition to the brotherhoods and railway orders, with their vast network of subordinate lodges and affiliated associations, there exists among railway men, both officials and employees, no inconsiderable number of associations of all kinds. These are not different from the sort of associations that men form, irrespective of occupations, in all communities. There are literary clubs, social clubs, musical clubs, associations which meet together for purely educational purposes, to hear lectures, enjoy entertainments, to debate and discuss problems in which their members have a practical interest. The nature of railroad service, the fact that it is a life in itself, somewhat apart from that of the ordinary man in business or in an occupation that follows the conventional hours of work, the peripatetic aspects of the occupation, and, lastly, the element of risk and danger which has had an influence in binding railroad men to each other wherever they meet, are the causes which have led railroad men to form these organizations made up exclusively of their own members rather than to participate in similar organizations outside the limits of their occupation in the various communities in which they reside. Of course, probably no inconsiderable number, especially of railroad officials and also of employees, connect themselves with the ordinary secret societies and social institutions of their respective communities. But it is worth while to note here the existence, if nothing more, of numerous associations confined to railroad employment of educational, religious, and fraternal character. It may mean much more for the future of railroad employment than the present strength of these organizations would indicate that there are so many agencies still in their infancy that must inevitably develop a spirit of cohesion, loyalty to each other, and helpful aid to development of a most important class in the industrial community.

I. Educational and Fraternal Associations.-Among railway officials perhaps the most important organization is the International Railway Congress, which meets at intervals of about 3 years and brings together and publishes in its proceedings a vast amount of important material relating to the management and control of railways in all countries. Six such congresses have been held-the first met at Brussels in 1885, the second at Milan in 1887, the third in Paris in 1889, the fourth in St. Petersburg in 1892, the fifth at London in 1895, the sixth at Paris in 1900, and the seventh is scheduled to meet at Washington, D. C. (the first meeting held in the United States), in 1903. Mr. M. A. Du Bois, president of the International Commission, prepared a history of the organization and results of international railway congresses, which was published as a part of the proceedings of the London congress in 1895. In this history he summarized the reports of the first four international railway congresses. Among the questions dealt with relating directly to railway employees were (1) Question XI, of the Brussels programme (1885), which related to the Sunday holiday; (2) Question XX, on Engaging a new staff and employment of women;" Question XXI, on Methods of interesting the staff in economical working," and Question XXII, on "Provident funds," of the Milan (1887) programme; (3) Question XX, on Bonuses to the staff," and Question XXI, on "Provident funds," of the Paris (1889) programme; (4) Question XXXI, on “Pensions and sick and accident funds," of the St. Petersburg (1892) programme. Similar questions have been reported upon at great length at the subsequent congresses. Mr. Du Bois summarizes the principal resolutions which dealt with these questions before the first four congresses, as follows:

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(1) The congress has expressed the opinion "that it is advisable to extend the periodical holiday as far as possible, making it coincide with Sunday and public holidays, for the benefit of the staff and for the advantage of the service."

(2) It recommended "the foundation of special preparatory schools for employees and looked with satisfaction on the tendency shown to engage the children of employees."

(3) It recognized that experience shows that women may be advantageously admitted into most departments.

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