LODGE 21-(A Brother, St. Louis, Mo.) We are still in the ring, and will continue to be so long as the good Lord has just a little mercy on us. To prove this, will say that a great deal of business was transacted at the last meeting, and applications are coming in right along. The goat is always in good trim, and is ready for all candidates.

Bro. W. H. Davis was married December 25th. Bros. John McClain, of Lodge 44, and J. F. Bushman, of Lodge 18, visited us a few days ago. A bad accident happened Friday, January 9, 1903, at 1:20 p. m., at the mouth of the tunnel in St. Louis, in which the fireman, Bro. Oscar Meldrum, of Lodge 44, was badly injured and scalded by steam, resulting in his death at 6 p. m. at the hospital. The engineer, Bro. W. Young, was also badly burned, but not seriously. Bro. Meldrum leaves a widowed mother. May we all follow his example, and live in such a way that we may be prepared to respond to the call of the Great Master, who doeth all things well. We most deeply feel that in the death of our Brother we have lost a good member.

One of the pleasantest "at homes" was given by the Sisters of 151 L. S. at the residence of Sister Ed. Boyd, assisted by Sisters Frank Enny and Joe Gillis, and Bros. John Kile and S. Lagrange.

By

8 o'clock the members were all together, when games and piano selections were in order. Piano selections were rendered by several of the Brothers and Sisters, and at 10.30 the large dining room was thrown open. The house was tastily dec

orated with ferns and evergreens, with red, white and green lamps. Bro. Louis Voelker acted as toastmaster, and there was good speaking and singing, after which dancing was indulged in until a late hour, when old and young joined in the good, old-fashioned song, "Home, Sweet Home."

It

DEATH OF BRO. S. G. HIGGINS-(A Brother, Lodge 455, Asheville, N. C.) is with deep sorrow that the Brothers of Lodge 455 are called upon to drape their charter, and to mourn the death of their Brother, S. G. Higgins. He received injuries by jumping from a runaway freight train the night of December 19th, but lived until the 22d. In the death of Bro. Higgins, Lodge 455 loses a beloved Brother, who is mourned by all the members and his many friends. Bro. Higgins leaves a mother, father, brothers and sisters to mourn his loss. To these sorrowing ones Lodge 455 extends its deepest sympathy in the loss of one who was loved and respected by all who knew him.

COURTESIES SHOWN-(I. G. Ward, Lodge 344, Trinidad, Col.) I desire to acknowledge my appreciation of favors shown me by Bartholdi Lodge 309, also by the officials of the Long Island Railroad. My mission was indeed a sad one, accompanying the remains of Bro. M. Deveraux of Mineola, Long Island, N. Y., who was killed in a head-on collision here Christmas Eve. We also lost three other Brothers at the same time. I was met at Jersey City by Bro. Hopkins, Secretary of 309, who had made arrangements to go on to Mineola. This was a great favor, as it was my first experience, and it takes experience to make perfect. I found Bro. Deveraux's parents to be very fine people, and I can never forget the courtesies shown me by them. I felt as though it was and had always been my home. Personally, and as a representative of Las Animas Lodge 344, I sincerely hope that the families of the Brothers who were killed will never pass another Christmas as they did the last. While our loss is great, it can not be compared with the loss to the families of our departed Brothers.

Again I wish to thank those who showed me favors; they are not only appreciated by myself but by Lodge 344. Special credit is due Bros. Smith, Hopkins and Jewell for showing me the wonderful sights of New York City, and many thanks are due the Brothers' wives who sat the fatted calf before me to supply the wants of nature.

Addresses Wanted.

Requests have reached this office to publish notices inquiring for the present addresses, or any information concerning the following persons. Information should be sent to the person specified in notice:

Charles Z. Dwyer.-At one time a member of Lodge 13, B. of L. F. Was fireman on the Central Railroad of New Jersey for eight or nine years. On September 19, 1899, he mysteriously disappeared. This was after a payday and he was known to have drawn a good sum. All trace of his whereabouts up to this time are unknown. If living he may be going under an assumed name and Western railroad men are asked particularly to try and locate him. His age is 30 years; height about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches; square shoulders; square chin; dark complexion: weight about 105 or 160 pounds; black hair, partly mixed with gray; black moustache, fair size (may have let a beard grow or be clean shaven); eyes a bluish gray; smooth, quick talker; has a scar on the first finger of the right hand; carried a 4-ounce silver case, open face watch, 21-jewel Hampden movement; wore No. 7 hat or cap; No. 8 laced shoes; had nice teeth; chews and smokes tobacco; dresses good; was single, but may now be married. Anyone knowing his present whereabouts will confer a great favor and a kind act by communicating same to William J. F. Dwyer, 407 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J.

Acknowledgments.

The following persons desire to acknowledge receipt of payment of claims, and to express their gratitude to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen as an organization, and to the individual members for kindnesses and courtesies extended:

August C. Tank, East Buffalo, N. Y.
Henry Frye, Lima, Ohio.
Wm. C. Seaman, Crum, Ky.
N. S. Farrar, Buffalo, N. Y.

Balls and Entertainments. Courteous invitations have been received at this office to attend the follow

ing balls and entertainments. The Grand Lodge force returns thanks and wish all an enjoyable and successful time.

Lodge 470-Fourth annual ball, at Pieron's Hall, Murphysboro, Ill., New Year's Eve., December 31, 1902.

Lodge 582-Second annual ball,, at I. O. O. F. Hall, Richmond, Ind., New Year's Eve., December 31, 1902.

LODGE 218.-Fifteenth annual ball, at Waycott Opera House, Colorado City, Col., Thursday evening, February 19, 1903.

The Home Account.

The following donations were received at the Home for Aged and Disabled Railway Employes for the month of December, 1902:

L. S. to B. of L. F. Lodges-2,
$5; 21, $5; 74, $5; 111, $5;
total

O. R. C. Divisions.
B. of R. T. Lodges.

B. of L. E. Divisions.

L. A. to O. R. C. Divisions.
G. I. A. to B. of L. E. Divisions.
L. A. to B. of R. T. Lodges..
Mrs. Nettie Pritchard, funeral ex-

$20.00

58.92

59.35

12.00

44.18

41.50 5.00

60.00

penses of F. C. Pritchard.. Interest on moneys on deposit... 173.27 Proceeds of ball given by joint

lodges of the B. of L. F., of Cook county, Ill., January, 1902 451.74 Grand total $930.96

Miscellaneous.-G. I. A. to B. of L. E. 60, 116 and 238, each a box of canned fruits; L. A. to B. of R. T. 110 and 126, each a box of canned fruits; L. A. to 0. R. C. 68 and 122, each a box of canned fruits; L. A. to O. R. C. 39 and 144, each a barrel of canned fruits; L. A. to O. R. C. 80, two pairs of red blankets; L. S. to B. of L. F. 36, box of bedding; P. H. Morrissey, two boxes A-1 cigars for the boys Christmas.

Notes. Took Phillip Wilcox to Chicago for X-ray treatment, and three applications completely cured a bad case of epithelioma of the nose. Proceeds of oyster supper given by members of O. R. C. 83 and L. A. to O. R. C. 15, $21.85, credited equally between them. Respectfully submitted,

MRS. T. B. WATSON,
Sec. and Treas. R. R. M. H.

From the Grand President.

T IS evident from the number of letters we are receiving that the

officers and members have not carefully read the instructions which have appeared in the November and December, 1902, MAGAZINE, relative to the laws which would go into effect January 1, 1903, and especially to the payment of semi-annual grand dues and quarterly dues.

All members whose names appear upon the rolls on and after January 1, 1903, will be required to pay semiannual dues for the six months ending June 30, 1902. This will apply to all members. While it may be true that members who were admitted prior to January 1, 1903 (and in this we especially refer to the "old" members), hold receipts showing that their dues were paid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, yet the fact still remains that the new law, which is now in effect, and which they enacted through their duly accredited representative at the Sixth Biennial Convention, requires that all members pay an additional 50 cents as grand dues for the six months ending June 30, 1903. Therefore, to be a member in good standing it will be necessary for all members to pay to the Collector of their respective lodges the sum of 50 cents as grand dues for the six months ending June 30, 1903. There should be no misunderstanding on the part of the officers and members in regard to this requirement. The Sixth Biennial Convention increased the grand dues to $1 per year, payable semiannually. This went into effect January 1, 1903, and is today a law binding upon all members.

To properly conduct the affairs of the Grand Lodge office in a business-like way,

it was found that the per capita tax of 50 cents per annum was not sufficient. The matter was fully discussed by the delegates at the convention. It was admitted

by all that the time had come for the office of the Grand Lodge to be arranged so that there will be proper provision made for the recording and filing of all papers and for the prompt dispatch of all business between the Grand Lodge and the subordinate lodges. On account of the vast amount of business which passes through the hands of the Grand Secretary and Treasurer, brought about by the large increase in membership and in the number of lodges, the time had come for the establishment of a well equipped office. While the organization was small the affairs of this office might have been handled at the home of the Grand Secretary and Treasurer, but with the many important questions which were daily arising on account of the increased liability of the Society, the old order of things could no longer prevail. We are satisfied that the manner in which the business of the Society is now conducted will convince all that the delegates showed wisdom when this change was made.

There also seems to be a misunderstanding in regard to the payment of quarterly assessments. In the payment of advanced quarterly assessments there is no additional expense to the membership. Instead of the members paying these assessments monthly, as has been done heretofore, prior to January 1, 1903, they will pay them quarterly in advance. In addition to the regular quarterly local dues, the members will pay, who carry a $200 policy, and those who carry a double policy in proportion, 60 cents on account of advance assessments. For example, if the local dues were 50 cents per