and car workers' delegates, standing upon their constitutional rights as a railroad organization and also as a part of the railway department of the A. F. of L. and willing to be law abiding and insisting that the others should also be, were forced to retire from a turbulent meeting heid in New Haven last April.

The railroad officials got disgusted at the action of these men fighting among themselves. They did not blame the carmen and car workers for taking the stand they took, they gave them credit for it. Organizations who show no respect for the laws they make through their superiors for their guidance can surely be counted upon to have no regard for any rules of government they make with railroad officials. The joint committee of carmen and car workers had heretofore represented the car and inspection department and the company ruled that they should continue to do so until the Grand Presidents settled this controversy or the locals settled it among themselves.

The railroad officials, and rightly, too, refused to meet the Federated Council until they stopped fighting among themselves, and from last April the thing hung fire and no yearly agreement entered into, which should have been the first of May.

The carmen and car workers' joint committee did the wise thing, viz., just stood on their constitutional rights and let the other fellows learn from experience that it pays to be just and the safest policy to persue is to conform to the laws made and laid down by wiser heads than theirs.

Well, they have passed through the experience and they are the wiser from having done so, for on September 12 the two factions met the superintendent of motive power at his request. I want to say for the carmen and car workers that they are well pleased with the very rigid but very fair attitude of the superintendent of motive power. We got quite a number of concessions, but whether the other committee was pleased or not I am not prepared to say. You can't please everybody, and what would please one committee immensely would very likely displease the other fellow, but one thing, they were told that these delegates would have to stop their controversy and get together and represent the men right or the company would refuse to do business with such committees and do business with individuals instead.

I want also to state that the joint comImittee of the carmen and car workers is the only legitimate Federated Council on the system, as we are a chartered body. The other federated body is not a chartered organization and by its action was willing to admit house builders' unions and demanded that the bona fide railroad organizations should allow them to trample on their rights and trespass on their jurisdiction.

Well, I am pleased to state that the joint committee of carmen and car workers are

to still keep on representing the car and inspection department and the house builders' representatives will only have to wait awhile until this controversy is settled and settled right; but before the railroad crafts go federating with the house builders, let them first show common sense and judgment and federate properly with the car builders' union It is a very risky thing to put in an almost new set of delegates in a council as the more experience a committeeman gets the better his judgment. A good committeeman is hard to find. They surely needed a few to lead that committee and lead it right. Our joint committee hued straight to the lines and they have every reason to feel glad they did, for they were accorded by the railroad the treatment that men get who act square and don't play foul.

I want to say in conclusion that if the B. R. C. of A. and the I. A. of C. W. would on all roads where they are jointly established co-operate and pull together in the same friendly and brotherly manner that they do on the N. Y., N. H. & H. the question of amalgamation would settle itself in jig time. Years ago they agreed that theirs was a common cause and that they needed all their thoughts, money and energy, not to battle with one another, but to co-operate with one another for their common uplift. Yours fraternally,

JOHN J. GALLAGHER,
Fifth Gen. Vice-President.

FROM A MEMBER OF MATHEW LODGE NO. 405.

Walcott, Wyo., Sept. 15, 1911.

Editor Journal.

Look out, now, Brother Editor, here comes that notorious kicker from Mathew Lodge No. 405. I am not with the bunch any more, but am still a member of 405. Am joint inspector for the U. P. and S. & E. Rys., 22 miles from Rawlins, so I can take a run up once in a while and see the boys, and a true blue bunch they are, too, believe me.

A non-air is not with that bunch long without an introduction to Mr. Goat. They are still working short time in this part of the diggings. We had more work during the panic of 1907 and 1908 than now, and this is a busy time of the year for the roads in this country. I see some splendid letters in our September Journal, also some fine editorials. I wish every member of the Brotherhood would read Brother J. Robinson's letter; also A. A. Graham's write-up from Topeka, Kas. I do not know if Mr. Graham is infected with B. R. C. of A. unionism or not, but I have been a reader and close observer of the writings from the pen of A. A. Graham for a long time, it seems to me a year of more, and I want to say those writings are from a mind well versed on scientific subjects, and although I have differed with some of his articles in our Journal, I will say, to take them as a whole

they are splendid, and I wish all the members would read them every month.

Now, Brother Swanee River, I'm going to take a "knock out" with you, but I want you to accept it as my individual opinion expressed in a friendly and brotherly manner, and I want to say to the Brotherhood in general that you should not hold Brother Adames responsible for letters written by the members of our organization for publication in the Journal, for those letters express the opinions of the writers, and not of the editor. I have a very good reason for saying Brother Adames' and my opinions differ a great deal on more subjects than

And as some would say, some of the parties are a durn sight wronger. So then it is well to know which is wrong in order not to vote the wrong ticket, and the only way to know these things is to read and think for ourselves and talk the matter over among ourselves.

We also know that the two old parties have been in power for 45 years and we know the working class has never yet got a square deal from them. If you doubt this, take a backward glance and see the kidnapping cases of union leaders. See the cold blooded murders of union men and women by state and city officers when they

one, so hold me responsible for what I say, and no one else but me.

Brother Swanee River, you object to taking any sides as to the platform we shall vote; you also object to politics in the union. Now, Brother Swanee River, why not object to a carman voting at all? Why not disfranchise the buggers and be done with it? You know we are car toads and union men and not voters and politicians. We Brotherhood men who are Socialists look at the matter something like this: If it is well to go to the polls and vote, it is well to know what we are voting for, as some of the platforms are always wrong.

times out of ten decide in favor of the rich and against the poor? It is because of the platforms we have always voted.

Why does the producer have to go to the non-producer for work, and support idlers who do nothing? Why do producers have little wealth and non-producers much wealth? Why are producers unable to put their price on labor or products? And how comes it that non-producers have the power to arrange those prices?

Why is it the farmer has no voice in the price he pays for what he buys or the price he gets for what he sells? Why does the moneyed class hate the so-called Socialist? Because we have voted the wrong platform, because we want to put him to work and give all workers the full product of their toil. Do you know that under a different order of things such as we advocate the workers would receive $3,000 a year for what they now receive a little more than $400 per year for? Read, my brother, and think for yourself.

You believe in the federation of the mechanical trades. We believe in the federation of all the workers of this old world. There are about 1,200,000 of us; a big union, are we not? A great many of the brothers write to the Journal advising the brothers to vote together, but they fail to say on what ticket. Most of these wrters are no doubt Socialists, and I think they should come out and name the ticket they wish us to vote together on.

We Socialists do not blame the men who own the trusted products of this country. We do not blame our elected officers. We blame the system that permits this robbery of the workers and this injustice imposed upon the people.

Now, my brothers, in conclusion I will say with Comrade Louis Schneider, come with the party where a man is not recognized as a slave to anything or anybody-the party that insists on helping everyone to become as good as he can be-the party that scorns all incentive save that which makes for the lightening of the burdens of the race-the party where man is considered the strength, woman the glory, and the child the hope of the world!

Workers of the world, unite! nothing to lose but your chains.

You have

One more word and I am done. There is not a good principle in unionism that is not embodied in Socialism.

Yours for the betterment of humanity. W. J. MCVEY.

FROM VICE CHAIRMAN J. P. B., M. K. & T.

Rosedale, Kan., Sept. 11, 1911.

Editor Journal.

It is a long time since I last wrote to the Journal and it may be a long time before I write again. I remember that in the last letter I wrote I told "ye editor" that I would contribute a monthly article. However, I changed my mind, and there was a

reason. I noticed there was never any blank spaces in the Journal and there was a reason for that, too. Now the reason I did not continue my articles to the Journal and the reason there is never any blank space in the Journal is because we have in our ranks those who are sufficiently well versed and intelligent enough to keep the Journal going without me butting in at all. I like a good argument and I am interested in reading good literature, and I am pleased to find that the Carmen's Journal can furnish both the argument and the reading matter. The September Journal hits me just right for the reason that it touches on one of the most important propositions in the history of the labor movement, the combination of craft organizations into one federated body. It means that the workers are beginning to see things through their own eyes; it means that they are doing something that will place the working man on top; it further means that the worker must do still more thinking. He must educate himself to a general knowledge of economic conditions, he must be particularly well versed in regard to his craft. The very fact that you have advanced to the present state is a signal that you take immediate steps to go further until you reach the final goal-the co-operative commonwealth, the brotherhood of man.

In conversation with a very prominent railway official a few weeks ago I was led to believe that the railroad worker had proceeded just as far as the company would permit and was told that the business of asking for better working conditions and higher wages would have to stop. I said nothing, but thought more. I thought that I would like to possess the power that would stop progress, for that is just what it means. When the railroad officials can stop discontent amongst the workers they can stop progress, and to stop progress is contrary to natural law. They say you are discontented-yes, sir-discontent is the vanguard of progress, and just as soon as discontent ceases, progress stops.

We are told that legislation is crippling the railroads. Well, turn about is fair play. I have heard of corporation lawyers crippling legislation. It is being done today; it is done every day. The prime object of the Railway Employees and Investors' Association is to cripple legislaton. And they tell me that the above association is lawful, and if it is lawful for railway corporations to form such associations, wherein is it unlawful for the workers to federate? It is a poor argument that don't work both ways. Mr. Official, I have no kick coming against you. I admire the vim, the vigor and the ambition you must necessarily have displayed in order to reach your present position. I have no kick coming against individuals or any individual corporation. You officials or such of you as I am likely to come in contact with are just like me. So long as you are good boys you can stay, no longer. My kick is with the entire present

system. It is wrong and you all know it, only you don't possess the manhood and the stamina to go to work and change it. My opinion of a man that allows his ideas to be dormant is not much. Come out of your shell, voice your true sentiments, be a man. People very often say to me: "Catley, I am surprised at you spending so much time in these labor organizations and the Socialist movement." I answer that the Socialist movement and the labor movement are both working class organizations. I belong to the working class. The work

supper time. Railroading, John, is the biggest business in this country. We have 2,500 roads. They do an aggregate business of $2,600,000,000 each year, or $7,000,000 a day. This is four times as much as the steel trust business and five times the total government receipts. In a year it is five times the whole world's output of gold and more than all the money in the United States. I could tell you just how they spend this money, John, if it would not keep you too long. We have nearly 90,000,000 people in this country. but only 50,000 owners of

ing class being a majority class, will some day be on top, and I want to be with them when they get to the top.

I have just concluded an argument with a neighbor of mine. He came in to find out how the railroad business was and what I thought would be the outcome of the present controversy. Said he, you will bankrupt the railroads and cause general stagnation. I said, well I hadn't thought of that, John, but just let us go over a few figures. Now, in order to be brief, John, we will just go over those figures as quickly as we can, that is, we won't make this a very long argument, because it's just about

railroads. In other words, we have 50,000 railroad magnates controlling more wealth than all the rest of us combined. Wrecks and damages which could be prevented take $22,000,000 per year. Compensation and lawsuits on account of people killed take $18,000,000. Insurance, which should be handled by the government, costs $7,000,000. In those three items alone, John, you have what I consider an absolute waste of $47,000,000, because the insurance is a graft and the wrecks that cause the killing could be provented by the expenditure of the $47,000,000 in ballast, equipment and wages. I could go on all night, John, and

prove to you that we could not very well bust the railroads with the conservative demands we are making. Of course, they might shut down and by that means cause the men to lose out for a time, but that would be no proof that they were broke, but would only prove their tyranny over the workers at this time. Strange to say that every shutdown makes us stronger, draws us closer together and I think the corporations know this.

I have just a few more words to say before I close. I want to address myself particularly to "Honesty and Integrity," whose letter in the September issue I have just read. My friend sems to be in distress just now and he needs an organizer. Let me say to this brother that I am in close touch with the Grand Lodge officers just now and I know that our Grand Lodge officers are just swamped with work at this particular time. I would suggest that you put your joint chairman on a salary for a few months, in order to gather in the stragglers. I want just to throw one rock at old Honesty and then I am through. He is not honest enough to sign his name to the articles he writes. Fraternally yours,

It's a hard matter to get started off on this letter, as I have just finished reading the September number and I have so many things that I would like to make mention of that it's a hard proposition, as I cannot say just what I think, as some one would certainly get mad. However, if I had the say so there would be some changes in some things, some places and some people, and such a change that the next one that undertook to do what has been done they would back up about two car lengths and sneak away real lively. It's a shame and a disgrace that the laws of this great country of ours are allowed to be trampled under foot by those who allow it to be done. 'So what shall we do? We can do it. Just lay aside the differences between us and when all our differences are put in a pile they would not make a one-horse wagon load. Put your self up to the front with your brother, put your mind to work, get yourself in action. Your vote is what counts. Stop this thing of kidnaping or allowing it to be done. I see so much good advice in the Journal and am glad to note the solid front the brothers are putting up and the way they are getting one hundred per cent strong at so many places. This is the only way to stay on top. Yes, I read about the Taylor and Emerson scientific shop management. It may be all right, on paper, but the men who toil or do the work --it doesn't look good to them. I would suggest that Taylor & Emerson be the ones to demonstrate this scientific system

with themselves. Put them to the test with their own hands, and if they can stand the test and will stay at it for six months, then I think it would be time to consider their proposition when they make their report after six months' work.

Now is the time for organized labor to show their strength by condemning these systems and the way the McNamaras have been treated by coming to their aid financially. Let nothing go undone, for, as the old saying goes, "There is no fool like an old fool," and Otis thinks he is doing something. Why couldn't he act like the mayor of San Francisco with the street railway? We need less Otises and more McCarthys. Labor and the Good Government League of Los Angeles, Cal., should give to Mr. Edward T. Earle their support and influence, and let it be straight from the shoulder.

Referring to the Gompers contempt case, which has been tried time and time again, from court to court, and as high as it could go, then it seems you must come and apologize to the court to provide a means of escaping punishment. What do you think of that? Don't it sound lke child's play? Hang a man if he does and hang him if he don't. That is the way the laboring man gets justice. How many union men are there who will indorse the way Mrs. McManigal has been treated? None, sure, but what a shame that we can't stop all such.

We need the recall and need it bad, for if it had been in force in Indiana there would have been no kidnaping there. Let no officers be exempt from the recall, and then you will see business done in a businesslike way, and legislation will not be for the few and against the many. And when our 400 law makers make a law it will not be vetoed by the President just because it does not suit his fancy, or set aside by a Supreme Judge because he cannot free a rich trust nor hang a poor laboror. No, we don't want to get the B. R. C. of A. organization into the several political parties. That would not do, but what did we organize for, and for whose benefit? For your own or for some one else? If it was for your own, then stay with it and help get it, but if it is for some one else other than one interested in your welfare you are a traitor, see. We read in the Bible where it says. "Where a house is divided against itself it cannot stand," so how can we reap any benefits when we are divided up into a dozen factions and each political faction goes outside of labor to get their leader? What do you say? You joined the Brotherhood to better your conditions, and for a financial benefit, and if you will stay with the Brotherhood you will have the conditions and better political benefits, don't you see?

You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. The Loewe Hat Co. can make all the hats they want to, but they cannot make a union man wear one.

Don't blame Lorimer or Bailey and a few others for fighting the recall, for they know