Master, J. C. Williams, who made a short talk for the good of the Order. He was followed by Bro. A. C. Moore, of Lodge No. 34, who gave an able and enthusiastic address on organized labor; after which a short literary program was rendered. Then the scene changed and we had dancing and card playing until about 11:30 p. m., when Bro. Weldrum ejaculated that supper was ready in the adjoining room.

From 560.-(F. B. ANDREWS, Oskaloosa, Iowa) Valentine Lodge No. 560, is progressing very nicely. We take in a candidate every meeting, and in the course of two or three months we expect to have about thirty-five members. Bro. Hannahan is well pleased with our outlook. The boys here think Bro. Hannahan is made out of the proper material, and wish him well.

From 544.-(MEMBER, Pt. Pleasant, W. Va.) Our lodge consists of thirty-three members, and three applications are pending. Our goat, somewhat rusty, is likely to get polished up next meeting. All the boys on the K. & M., with the exception of one, are members of the B. of L. F. We are holding meetings regular, with fairly good attendance. We have elected a new Protective Board with Bro. Scholz as chairman.

Bros. Allen, Hartley, E. M. Brown and G. H. Walker have been recently promoted. Bro. W. A. Compton is away on a pleasure trip to Mexico and some of the western states. He will likely visit some of the local lodges while in the West. We can recommend him a true-blue B. of L. F. man.

Business has increased on the K. & M., with fair prospects of a larger increase the coming Summer. There is a rumor afloat that one of our members will soon embark on the sea of matrimony. An invitation is hereby extended to all traveling B. of L. F. men to call on the members of Lodge No. 544 while at Pt. Pleasant, or on our line.

From 345.-(E. H. SURATT, Ft. Smith, Ark.) I write you in regard to the first annual ball and banquet given by Lodge No. 345, on February 7th. Bro. Maier, our Vice Grand Master, paid us a visit on that occasion, and his short talk was well received by those present. Mr. J. F. Omelia made the opening address, which was excellent.

We appreciated Bro. Maier's visit and only hope he will come again. Our officials let us have a car to carry evergreens in free, and furnished free transportation to those who wanted to come from out of the city. Mr. Henry, our foreman, let us have the free use of anything we needed in the storeroom, and the way he did dance was a "sight." He and Bro. Maier had a time.

Bro. Davis, while decorating the hall, fell and dislocated his shoulder. I am told that the ball was too much for Bro, Wm. Hughes, of Monett Lodge No. 440, for he is in bed sick

A. Stein, who was thrown from his engine We are also very glad to report Bro. H. some time ago, much improved and at home again after a long time in the company's hospital at San Antonio.

The boys are all working faithfully for the interest of the Brotherhood. Bros. L. B. Miner and J. H. Scheven's smiles are now

seen on the passenger runs vacated by the promotion of Bros. Addie and Kunz. Lodge No. 546 has a new hall to meet in.

The ladies report their lodge to be standing still, but as we are about to put in more married men we expect them to grow right along. Sister Stein and all the others deserve credit for holding out so long without any new members. Keep your spirits up, sisters! You will come out all O. K. yet.

From the Ladies' Society.—(Mrs. G. M. SARGENT, G. P., Peoria, Ill.) I have just returned from St. Louis, having had a new experience, being snow bound, it taking me two days to reach home, when but a few hours are all that is required to make this trip.

I reached St. Louis on the evening of February 25th, and was met at the station by the committee and, once in their care, I was hardly allowed to think of anything but pleasure. And it came thick and fast. Even

nature contributed her share in my welcome to St. Louis by giving us a snowstorm that was unprecedented for the month of February.

As Monday, the 26th, was the regular meeting day of Comrades of 390 Lodge No. 71, I was escorted to the hall, and finding a goodly number of the sisters present, we proceeded with our work. It was satisfactory to me to note the interest manifested by the members of the lodge. I am sure that our sisters of Lodge No. 71, under the wise guidance of Sister Quinn as President, will make a record for themselves.

I was royally entertained by the brothers, and on the evening of the 28th we enjoyed their hospitality, as well as that of the sisters, and a good time was in order. Addresses were made, interspersed with music, and an abundance of good things to eat were provided, and dancing concluded this fine entertainment. If the Editor of the MAGAZINE could have been with us he could have given a more interesting account of the festivities. It was indeed a treat to see the Vice Grand Masters dance "Tucker," something entirely out of their line of business. The most enjoyable hour was the one we spent traveling over miles of country, as Bro. Maier explained his fine pictures, and I for one can say they are the best collection of pictures of this kind that I have ever seen. I would say to those who have not been fortunate enough to see them, if Bro. Maier comes your way, do not miss the chance of a lifetime to be royally enter

tained.

From 345.—(F. E. R., Ft. Smith, Ark.) The first annual ball given by Lodge No. 345, which took place at the Turners' Hall, on the 7th of February, was a decided success and a "swell" affair in every particular. The hall was filled to the doors, and many visitors were present from Van Buren and Paris The grand march was led by Mr. H. K. Albers and Mrs. J Barrows. The hall was handsomely decorated with festoons of evergreen, cut flowers and colored bunting. On the center of the stage, emerging from a tunnel, was the full-sized front end of an engine, beautifully decorated, carrying signals for our next ball.

Great praise is due our worthy brothers on

different committees for the excellent manner in which they discharged their duties.

One of the leading features of the entertainment was the opening address by Mr. J. F. Omelia. The brothers of 345 were highly honored by the presence of Bro. Maier, and we appreciate the part he took in the entertainment. His speech on organized labor was greatly appreciated. We hope to have Bro. Maier and others of the Grand Officers, and brothers of other lodges present at our next ball.

From 391.-(J. G. B., Ft. Madison, Ia.) Engineer O. W. Furze and Fireman Wm. Gyer, of Lodge No. 391, B. of L. F., who are in the employ of the Santa Fe, running out of Ft. Madison, are probably the tallest and most evenly-mated engine crew in the world. Each man weighs 198 pounds and stands six feet three inches tall in his stocking feet. They are both well-liked and deservedly popular among the brethren of the road, and a good pair to draw to at any stage of the game.

From 54.-(F. G. ALBERS, Moberly, Mo.) An article appeared in the St. Louis GlobeDemocrat of January 24th issue, in which one Joe P. Hays, an ex-engineer of the Wabash railroad system, first makes statement that he is a "Brotherhood man," etc., and wherein he criticises the action of the General Grievance Committee going before the Wabash management.

We wish to put all Brotherhood men right in this matter. We brand as untrue the assertion that he is a "Brotherhood man," etc. The rest of the article is in keeping with his first statement.

Joe P. Hays was employed by the Wabash R. R. Co. during the strike in 1894 as fireman; for his emergency service he was promoted to engineer on freight engine; in a few months he was placed on a passenger run, a short time afterward put back in freight service, and was finally discharged. About a year afterward was re-employed, but in a short time was again discharged. Through his persistent following of the officials he secured a position as fireman in December, 1899. He has been a thorn in the side of railroad officials, as well as the men, since his first employment in 1894.