tion.

Several articles have recently appeared in the Magazine relative to the General Chairmen's Association, and as an officer of the same, I desire through the columns of the Magazine to explain to the members the objects for which the Association was formed.

the right to hold another as a slave, The General Chairmen's Associathough to deny a man the right to say what his wages shall or shall not be is placing him little higher than a slave. There was a time when no one had any right to say what his wages should be; an attempt to do so was sufficient cause to imprison him. In this progressive age the wage earner is being heard in his behalf. Should a time ever come when land and other property be disposed of differently than now, it will be done by the people, and not by Divine Providence. When some rascal wants to cheat his fellowman out of his just rights you hear him cry out, "I am entitled to this because Divine Providence gave it to me." Working people are sick and tired of hearing the cry of the right to do this, that, and the other thing by Divine right. No doubt but what Divine Providence can carry all the blame that man is so willing to put on someone else. But my opinion is that Divine Providence has nothing to do whatever with the material welfare of the running affairs of this world. Man was placed on earth and was given a firm will, and the line between right and wrong was drawn, and each one is supposed to know where the one begins and the other leaves off.

That laws should be enacted to assist in bettering the conditions of the toiler goes without saying Laws may not be able to set a price upon the day's labor, but one thing sure, a law can be passed that will prevent long hours of labor in shop, mine, and factory. If the law maker carried out his promises after election, made beforehand, laboring people would have no fault to find, but, as a rule, promises are broken and there is nothing done about it. No sane man denies that capital has rights, or wishes to take from it anything that would in any way injure it. Capital is able to take care of itself, and does so without much trouble. When the time comes that capital and labor meets and settles all disputes that arise over the wage question, then and not until then will we see the harmony that should exist between the two forces. One is just as necessary as the other for the advancement of the material welfare of humanity. Should one try to get along without the other it would be a mistake. Therefore, let us hope and pray that the time will come when justice and right will reign instead of selfishness, so that all people may be happy and contented in this world of

ours.

CHAS. W. MAIER.

The General Chairmen's Association was organized in the city of Chicago on March 25, 1901, with a membership of 15, representing several of the largest railway systems in the United States, who adopted by-laws for their government, subject to the approval of the Grand Master. It was and is still believed by its promoters that if properly conducted it will be the means of furnishing valuable information to Protective Boards when securing or renewing wage schedules with railway companies, and may eventually be the means of establishing a uniform standard scale of wages in certain sections of the country.

The large engines placed in service on the American railways have brought the protective department of the Brotherhood into prominence, it being through that department that efforts have been made to obtain for the men employed thereon, fair and equitable compensation for their services and, in many instances, these efforts have been successful. In the conferences with railway officials in the readjustment of wage schedules much valuable time has been spent endeavoring to ascertain what the wages were on parallel lines, and this information the Association will be able to furnish at all times and at little expense. On large systems of railway, such as the New York Central or Pennsylvania Railways, the daily expense of the Boards while in session is very large and, assuming that one of these Boards was in session for one day waiting for information regarding wages on parallel lines, the expense so incurred would be greater than that required to maintain a membership in the Association for one year.

It is also the purpose of the Association to, if possible, agree with railway officials upon a uniform scale of wages in certain districts as, for example, between Chicago and the Missouri River, or Chicago and Buffalo, when the conditions are about the same. There is no good reason why a fireman on the Chicago and Alton should not receive the same wages as are paid a fireman on the

Rock Island, nor is there any reason why be enacted providing for a uniform scale a fireman on the Pennsylvania Lines should not receive the same wages as are paid on the Baltimore and Ohio Railway. The next meeting of the Association will be held in the city of Chicago the first Monday in May, and it is expected that every system of railway in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be represented, and that legislation will

While at Elmira I enjoyed a sleigh ride of the fire boys.

January 3, 1903, I arrived at Peoria, Ill., where I attended a conference with the Grand Officers, and to say that i found everybody busy, from the Grand Master down, would be putting it mildly. The motto of the office is: "A place for everything and everything in its place." It would be beneficial to the membership if it could see the magnitude of the business that is done in the Grand Lodge offices, conducted as our offices are, where the interests of 46,000 members are looked after, and so few mistakes made proves the efficiency of the clerks.

January 5th I visited the office of our Editor and Manager of the Magazine, Bro. Carter, and I found him and his able force of clerks getting things in place. Bro. Carter has his office so systemized that he has "a place for everything and everything in its place."

January 4th I attended a joint meeting of Lodges 417 and 22 at Champaign, Ill. I met Bros. Bates, J. Green, Geo. E. Brooklank, Stanley Baker, and F. H. Moore of 417, and L. Sullivan, A. Mallaw, and M. H. Trager of 22. This lodge was reported in good condition.

January 8th found me at Crestline, Ohio, looking up the brothers of 299. On account of the heavy business on the road I only met one member, Bro. F. E. Holzbach, who is the Collector of 299. He reported the lodge in as good condition as could be expected under the circumstances.

At Galion, Ohio, the home of Lodge 107, I found some of the old war horses, among them being Bro. Gearhart, who bears the title of roundhouse foreman on the Erie, and the members of 107 say that his heart is in the right place. While at Galion I held some very interesting meetings with the members of 107. Among the active members that I met was Geo. W. Bills, to whom I am very much indebted for courtesies extended to me. Bro. John A. Washner is looking after the financial end of 107, and I trust that the experience he and Bro. Gledhill have had will prove an everlasting benefit to them and the members of their lodge.

January 11th found me at Allegheny, Pa., meeting with Lodge 392. I had the pleasure of meeting Bros. Darfield, Fry, Lowery, and L. H. Martin. We initiated a candidate, which helped to enliven the occasion. The members seemed to be pleased to have a visit from a Grand Officer, and Bro. Martin says 392 will be one of the best lodges in the near future. While at Pittsburg, Pa., I met with Lodge 235, and well may the officers and members of this lodge be proud, for they have one of the banner lodges of the Brotherhood.

January 5th and 6th I met with Lodges 2 and 14 at Indianapolis, Ind. On the 5th I met with Lodge 14, and found Bro. Wiley, the popular Master, and Bros. Wm. Miller, E. J. Kline, and J. A. Farrell conducting the affairs of this lodge with that dispatch and enthusiasm necessary to have a good lodge. January 6th I met with Lodge 2. On arriving at the hall I found in waiting Bros. Walter Ferris, A. J. Multer, and T. C. Davis. This lodge is small, but they have the material necessary to make a good lodge, and the brothers I met informed me that they expect to have the banner lodge of Indiana. The afternoon of January 6th found me in company with Bros. Thos. H. Owens of 14, and Clark of 447, who piloted me to the hall, where I found a goodly number of the brothers in waiting. I am pleased to say that I found the lodge in Castle, Penn., we did not have a large atgood condition.

January 7th I bade the brothers of Indianapolis adieu and turned my face eastward, arriving at Bellefontaine, Ohio, the home of 527. Here I met Bros. Bergshicker, the popular Master, and C. P. Briggs, who hustled around and at 3 p. m. we went to the hall, where we found nine members awaiting our arrival. Bro. Bergshicker called the meeting to order in good old "Bee Line" fashion, and we had one of the most pleasant meetings that it has been my pleasure to participate in for a long time.

January 12th I met with Lodge 378. We had a very interesting meeting, and I found the popular Master, Bro. Elliot, and Bros. Southerland, J. H. Harkins, and C. F. Hinsdale working with their usual interest to advance the condition of their members. I am pleased to say that I found the lodge in good condition.

January 14th I met with Lodge 434. Owing to the members laying over at New

tendance. Bros. Sullivan, Sample, Millvale, and Ford Welk say that they will have the banner lodge when they get settled in New Castle.

January 15th found me at New Castle, Pa., for the purpose of meeting with Lodge 416, and I am sorry that we could not hold a meeting. I trust that upon my next visit I will have the pleasure of holding a meeting with these brothers.

On January 18th I met with Lodge 465, and I believe it was one of the best meetings it has been my pleasure to attend in a long time. I found Bro. Miller,

the popular Master, and Bros. Gress, W. L. Blansett, and T. S. Krepps looking out for the interests of their members. Great credit is due these brothers for the splendid condition of their lodge.

January 19th I met with Lodges 318 and 569. I am pleased to say that I found Iron City as strong as its namesake, and I attribute the good condition of this lodge to the efficient management of its affairs by Bros. S. W. Beal, Wm. Leonard, R. S. Knight, and R. W. Hill. Lodge 568 was reported to be in good condition by Bros. T. W. Bell, H. F. Mc

and H. Warrick, still acting as engine dispatcher and roundhouse foreman for the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railway.

January 23d, 24th and 25th found me at the beautiful city of South Cumberland, the home of Lodge 448 and Ladies' Society 41. On the evening of January 23d a joint public meeting was held between the Ladies' Society 41 and Lodge 448. The meeting was well attended; there was some disappointment to the public, as well as to the Ladies' Society, when it was announced that Sister Sargent, Grand President of the Society, wis

Vicker, and A. B. Cogley. It is evident unavoidably detained. A banquet was that these brothers are interested in their organization when they will leave the comforts of their homes and come a long distance to attend meetings, thereby spending the whole night. The popular Master of 568 has a liking for pink teas and he is contemplating giving up railroading and going into the tea business. The members of 568 wish him success.

Bro. H. E. Lowe of 318 is an ideal member. Bro. McGuire of 378, member of the local board, is a credit to the road which employs him.

While at McKees Rocks, Pa., I found my friends and brothers, C. L. Hinsdale

held at the home of Bro. A. B. and Sister Miller. Among those present were Bro. and Sister Rice, Mrs. M. Liller, Mrs. A. Smith, Mrs. F. Seitz and Mrs. Ida Wertz. A pleasant evening was spent and when all was over happiness beamed from every eye. This sentiment was heard: "May we meet again and again around the banquet table of Bro. and Sister Miller." The cordiality made us feel that this world would be a desolate place without the social gatherings. All were sorry that Bro. Miller was detained away from home. We missed his smiling face; however, Bro. Rice represented him eating ice