Should Grades Unions be Incorpc- a conclusion by that method, then by rated? There is no hesitation in answering the above question with the most emphatic no, and organized labor pleads guilty that its position upon this question is prompted by what it considers to be the best interests of trades unionists. It is a noticeable fact that the agitation in favor of incorporated trades unions emanates from sources that have hitherto been most hostile in their attitude towards the American trades union movement. The inference is fair that the gentlemen who insist that trades unions should incorporate are prompted by what appears to them to be their own immediate material interests. The steel strike of a year ago and the coal strike of more recent history developed all the talk in favor of incorporating trades unions that we know anything of, and that it should be favored by corporations or representatives of corporations who in both of these conflicts have bitterly antagonized organized labor, appear to be most significant. Objections to incorporated trades unions rests, first, upon the needlessness of such a move and, second, upon the danger of bankrupting the treasuries of trades unions by and through court litigations if they should become incorporated. It is not necessary to incorporate a trades union to insure the inviolability of contracts that may be entered into be tween trades unions and employers. During the four years that the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union has been in existence we have made contracts with employers from all parts of the country. Our contracts, as all contracts that are worthy of the name, involve mutual obligations and mutual advantages. In our agreement with shoe manufacturers we surrender the right to strike. Our employers surrender their arbitrary right to enforce conditions to their liking by such arbitrary methods as the lockout. We agree that all questions of wages and conditions of labor must be settled by mutual agreement, or in the event of failing to reach arbitration. There are certain advantages in this agreement both for us and for the employer. It insures steady work without interruption and large wages that disinterested parties decide are as good as the trade conditions will permit. As a Union we have no right to expect any more than this, and if we did attempt to secure more than this we must fail. Leaving out of consideration all questions of honor, it appears that our own best interests will prompt us to live religiously up to our agreements. Shoe manufacturers do not find it necessary to haul us before a court of law to compel us to live up to our contract. It is not on record that we have in any single instance given our employers occasion to regret that we were not incorporated so that we might be compelled to do that which we otherwise would not do. Until those who favor the incorporation of trades unions are able to show that it is the practice of trades unions to violate their agreements with their employers, they have no case against us. The danger of such a move to trades unions is clearly indicated in the investigation which is now going on before President Roosevelt's arbitration commission. A glance at the dizzy array of legal talent at the command of the coal operators give us a forecast of what trades unions will be called upon to do in order to protect their interests in a court of law. Coal operators count their resources by the million and hundreds of millions. Trades unions are not so well fixed. Their treasuries are not so abnormally large as that of the designing employer who may find it to his interest to first bankrupt the trades union by legal procedure and then when it is impoverished proceed against them in the industrial field by lockout or otherwise. The Boot and Shoe Workers' Union is the fortunate possessor of a fairly good sized treasury. Every cent of the money at its command must be used to some way promote the interests of its members by advertising Union Made shoes, by paying sick and death benefits, and here and there where it becomes nec essary by carrying on a strike or defending our members against the results of a lockout. While we are abundantly able to do all this, we have not one cent for legal talent to defend us before a court of law. Court litigation is an expensive luxury and can only be indulged in by those who have property interests and large property interests. We are not of that class and are therefore inclined to leave the practice of these methods to those who can afford it. Shoe manufacturers are today not proceeding against us, not because we are not incorporated, but because we are only too glad to observe every part of any agreement we may have with them. Our experience is that of every other trades union, and until some tangible evidence is introduced to show that it is only by the arbitrary club of court orders that trades unionists can be made to observe the sanctity of a contract to which they are a part, this whole question of incorporated trades unions must be looked upon as a closed incident.--Shoe Workers' Journal. Clergymen on the Labor Question. As might have been expected, the clergymen of this country expressed themselves rather freely on the questions at issue during the coal strike and it was just as natural that they should voice the sentiments of their church constituents. The Journal believes that the great majority were in favor of the miners and their organization, but the minority representing the wealthy classes agreed with the mine owners that the miners were wrong; that to permit them to have a voice in arranging their terms of employment would be to sap the foundation of civic liberty and bring the entire gov ernmental structure down with a crash. In the statements thus made the ideas simply accorded with their personal in terests, not that we mean to say they were dishonest and expressed themselves solely for the purpose of courting favor with the wealthy members of their churches, but one generally sees things of the same color as the glasses through which he looks and the personal point of view undoubtedly dominated the expres sion. And, again, a few of the better known among the clergy, who have attained dis tinction in their profession, and in consequence demand the best positions, have been quoted, while thousands of others of less distinction, who have been on the miners' side of the question, have never been heard from.—Railroad Train Men's Journal. Division of Wealth Produced. According to statistics the labor of every adult in the United States produces in value $10 per day. The same statistician makes the statement that labor receives but one-fifth of the value which it produces. Such being the case, how is it possible for the working classes to con quer on the industrial field through the strike or boycott when the wealth necessary to carry on the strike to ultimate victory remains in the hands of the capitalists? What can be gained by a strike or boycott when the trusts are assuming such proportions that enables them to squeeze out the last vestige of competition? In a contest between bank vaults and empty stomachs the human machine much succumb to the inevitable. The neutrality or division of working men in the field of politics should be as criminal in the eyes of unionism as the action of a scab who usurps the place of a striker to win a battle for the employer. Labor must solidify on the political as well as the industrial field, and then the conflict will end in the triumph of the masses.Miners' Magazine. T Something Doing. HE many applications from members in reply to the call for solicitors for subscriptions to the MAGAZINE indicate that the Editor will have splendid support during the year 1903 in his endeavor to build up a great circulation on the outside of the Brotherhood. There is not a locomotive engineer in North America who can not afford to pay $1.50 for a year's subscription to the LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN'S MAGAZINE and there is not a locomotive engineer in North America who can afford to miss the technical matter that is published each month in the LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN'S MAGAZINE. If a tired fireman can lay off ten trips a year, and while his engine is out make $50, he has perhaps shoveled 100 tons of coal less, has rested up that lame back ten times and has made just as much money as though he had "raw-hided" all of the time. If you are interested in this matter write to the Editor for further particulars. Remember that not only locomotive engineers should subscribe for the LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN'S MAGAZINE, but every roundhouse man and shop man can get fifteen-dollars'-worth of technical information by investing $1.50 in a year's subscription to "the-best-book-on-earth." Past Grand Master Sargent The Eighth Biennial Convention authorized the Grand Master, First Vice Grand Master, and Grand Secretary and Treasurer to present to Past Grand Master Sargent and wife, a solid silver service for services rendered the Brotherhood during the past eighteen years. In accordance with the tenor of that resolu tion, Grand Master Hannahan, First Vice Grand Master Wilson, and Grand Secretary and Treasurer Arnold met in Washington, and on Saturday night, December 13th, in company with Bro. F. N. Gear, of Lodge 10, who is also a representative of the house of the Webb C. Ball Company, jewelers of Cleveland, Ohio, proceeded to the residence of our Past Grand Master, and in the presence of a few invited guests, gave him and his estimable wife the silver token of the esteem and appreciation in which they both are held by the multitude of firemen and those associated closely with them. The present consisted of a massive oak chest, made up of three drawers and a top receptacle, and it was filled with a solid silver dining service, consisting of 191 pieces. Each silver piece bore the initial letter "S," and the plate, on the outside of the chest, announced as follows: Presented to Bro. and Mrs. F. P. Sargent Master Hannahan, in a delightful and The service was presented by Grand happy vein, and at the same time took on the seriousness of the occasion sufficient ly so, that when the Past Grand Master accepted the present, tears sprang to eyes that are accustomed to similar scenes without showing especial feeling, yet it seemed to those present that it was the severance of the final link that had served to hold a chief executive in close touch and communion with thousands of fellowmen and companions for nearly two decades. Bro. Sargent and wife invited the guests to a royal banquet in their diningroom and after discussing the dinner, adjournment was made to the parlor, where music held sway until the midnight hour forced a breaking up of one of the pleasantest and, perhaps, one of the most important incidents (who knows) in the history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. Winners of the Five Special In accordance with the offer which was announced in the June issue of the MAGAZINE, the following persons have secured the five lots of books offered for the five largest lists of subscriptions which were ordered during the period beginning July 1st and ending December 31, 1902: Lot 1 has been awarded to Bro. G. A. Stone, of Moncton, N. B., who is a member of Lodge 233, for 39 subscriptions. Lot 2 has been assigned to Bro. H. E. Bradley of Lodge 255, Arkansas City, Kans.. for 39 subscriptions. Lot 3 goes to Bro. M. E. Sturtevant of Lodge 265, Grand Rapids, Mich., for 31 subscriptions. Lot 4 has been earned by Bro. J. J. Riley of Lodge 326, Bradford, Pa., for 30 subscriptions. Lot 5 has been secured by Bro. H. E. Nix of Lodge 422, Greenville, Tex., for 23 subscriptions. It will be noted that Bros. Stone and Bradley tied for first prize, and in order to decide the matter, we have considered that Bro. Stone was entitled to the first lot, owing to the fact that his thirty-nine subscriptions were first received at this office, according to our records. It is to be hoped that these Brothers will continue their efforts in behalf of the MAGAZINE as diligently in the future as they have in the past, and even more so, now that there is a chance for them to earn liberal cash commissions for subscriptions ordered in accordance with the rules governing that department of the business. Do not forget that the subscription price to the MAGAZINE has been advanced to $1.50 per year, in accordance with resolution adopted by the Chattanooga Convention. Sparks. Messrs. Stannard & White, manufacturers of locomotive cab seats, chairs, etc., have removed from Appleton, Wis., to Racine Junction, Wis. Bro. Stannard is well known to the delegates of past conventions, and the comfort of his cab seats has lightened the grief of many a grievous trip. The Cosmos Pictures Company, of 296 Broadway, New York, have issued a revised catalogue of reproduction of the world's greatest pictures. The Derry-Collard Co., 256 Broadway, N. Y., have just issued a new catalogue of technical books that will be sent to any address upon application. After the Directory for this quarter had been closed the following notice was received from Bro. J. P. Meehan, Secretary of Lodge 176: "All members of Main Line Lodge 176 are hereby notified that Bro. J. A. Ives, 202, East Side of Square, Clinton, Ill., has been appointed Collector of the above named lodge." Bro. C. H. Krigbaum, Secretary of Lodge 475, B. of L. F., writes that information has been received by him to the effect that a person going by the name of M. A. Sullivan is traveling on a receipt purporting to have been issued by Lodge 475. He states that no such person is a member of that lodge, and asks that the members be on the lookout for him. Bro. A. Middlesworth, Secretary and Collector of Lodge 102, Des Moines, Iowa, has forsaken the scoop, and advises that he has been engaged in the undertaking business since June, 1901, and that another "tallow pot," Bro. F. D. Stalford, is at present located at Perry, O. T., and besides following dentistry is president of the Dental Association of Oklahoma and Indian Territories. The Albany, N. Y., Journal of December 27, 1902, says: "The state legislative board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen at its convention held in this city recently, re-elected R. E. Quirk of New York chairman, T. Ryan of Albany secretary and R. Prime of Rochester treasurer. Mr. Quirk will be stationed at the capitol during the session of the Legislature and work in conjunction with the other representatives stationed here. action was taken on the indorsement of the various candidates aspiring for the appointment of railroad commissioner." No The Kansas City, Mo., Star of December, 18, 1902, has the following: "The legislative committee of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen for the State of Missouri held its annual meeting at the Savoy hotel last evening. Fifteen members, representing all the important lodges of the State, were present and they selected officers for the ensuing year as follows: Chairman, Thomas Burke, St. Joseph; alternate chairman, T. J. McMahan, Thayer; secretary and treasurer, L. J. Martz, Kansas City; alternate secretary and treasurer, D. H. Kuhn, Sedalia." A committee, composed of Bros. John J. Hannahan, Grand Master; C. A. Wilson, First Vice Grand Master, and F. W. Arnold, Grand Secretary and Treasurer, recently visited Washington, D. C., and formally presented President Roosevelt with a card of honorary membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. It will be remembered that honorary membership was conferred upon the President during his visit to the Eighth Biennial Convention held at Chattanooga, Tenn., in September last. Bro. Hannahan made the presentation speech, in Press reports state that "the card presented to the President is a card in name only. It really is a handsome sealskin album, twelve by fifteen inches in dimensions. The album is lined with heavy watered silk, and within is the President's certificate of membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, finely engrossed upon parchment. The certificate is beautifully illuminated, and the President's name and the locomotive, which is the insignia of the Order, are handsomely embossed. The album rests in a box with a padded sealskin cover. The card is entirely American made and is as handsome as money and artistic skill can produce." Forum The Pen is Mightier than the The old adage, "the pen is mightier than the sword," holds good even unto this day, and it is well that it does. With the power of the pen does civilization advance and will continue to do so until there will be no future need of the sword. The sword is a relic of barbarism and was used in days gone by and to make might, right. History tells us that Tubal Cain, a man of might in olden times, fashioned the sword and that he was so carried away with his new invention that in his ecstasy he cried out, "Hurrah! for the sword! Hurrah! for the hand that shall wield them well, for he shall be king and lord!" This man lived to see the day that he regretted ever fashioning a sword, for by it the land was made red by the blood they shed in their eagerness to become masters of their victories. Heart-broken by what he had done, and to make reparation for his mistake as far as he could, he turned the sword into a plowshare, and he again sang, "Hurrah! for my handiwork! Hurrah! for the man that will till the soil, for he will bring blessings to all mankind instead of misery, poverty, and heart-rendings, as did the sword!" From the beginning of man, up to re cent years, the sword was looked upon as the proper instrument to be used in shaping and forming the destiny of a nation. When a change of government took place in olden times it was usually after a bloody war in which the sword played a most prominent part. There was no educational features about the sword that did very much good, or the one who fashioned it would not have broken down in sorrow when he saw the use of it abused. That the sword was mighty could not be denied. That it was a cruel weapon is equally true. Once it did its deadly work, it mattered not how much any one might regret what happened, there was no calling back from the graves the ones who fell by its deadly use in the hands of the enemy. That the sword has passed out of use in this day and age of the world, except for holiday dress parade, is almost assured, and from its mighty position in days gone by has it fallen to obscurity and its future use no more needed. Its use now is more for an ornament to adorn the walls of the hall or woodshed, as the owner may see fit to do with it. That there is something mightier than the sword ever was is true and that something is the pen. The pen is one of the greatest inventions ever made by man and its use as an educator is without parallel. The pen was never made to |