staunch, up-to-date Brotherhood man, and a credit to the organization. I trust to have the pleasure of visiting 435 and meeting with the brothers in the near future.

My next stop was Richmond, Va., the home of Lodges 497 and 615. I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Bro. W. R. Jobe, the popular Master, and B. W. Daugherty, R. E. Bailey and G. P. Ferrin. The officers comply strictly with the laws in the performance of their duties, and 497 is fast becoming one of the foremost lodges of the South. Lodge 615

Brotherhood man could have heard this man praise the organization and the members of his lodge for the many acts of kindness, and the Grand Lodge, which sent an officer to look after his interest, I think there would be no white fireman in the South who would not hold membership in the Brotherhood.

My next stop was Philadelphia, Pa. Here I worked in the interest of Lodge 60. I found the lodge in good condition, and to say that they are "united" in everything that the word implies, is putting it very mildly. We held a very interesting

is on its feet again, and it is earnestly hoped that the experience these brothers have had in the past will be a vast benefit to them in the future, and that each and every member will give his individual attention to the meetings and assist the officers to perform their duties. While at Richmond I had the honor of working with the Chesapeake and Ohio Joint Board, and I say, unhesitatingly, that the proficiency of this board can not be excelled. Bro. W. G. Watkins, General Chairman, and W. H. Onions, Secretary and Treasurer, have the confidence of the members of the board.

April 28 I had Bro. John Blankship, of Lodge 435, examined for the allowance of his disability claim, and if the non

meeting, and I found Brothers L. D. Woodington, James Thompson, Wilbury Henk and Walter Yeakel, looking out for the interests of their members. I am satisfied that the administration of the officers will be the most successful in the history of the lodge, and am convinced that the members would make no mistake by retaining the brothers in office for another year.

We were honored by the presence of our Past Grand Master, Bro. Leach. My next stop was at Reading, Pa. Arriving there in company with Bro. O'Malley, of Lodge 75, we were met at the depot by a committee of 561. With them were the following members of Lodge 174: Brothers Thos. Yost, Geo. R. Klinepeter, S. M. Holtry, G. Keiser, E. P.

Newlire, J. G. Bless, N. M. Kulm, H. H. Fink, J. E. Wittle, H. O. Hubler, C. E. Soler, G. E. Hass, Walter Mengel and Oscar Williams. We formed in line and marched to the hall, where we found a number of the members of 561. After a handshake and a good hearty welcome, as only Brotherhood welcomes can be, we were escorted to the banquet hall where covers were spread with the delicacies of the season. A more tempting feast could not have possibly been prepared for anyone, and the brothers all did justice on this occasion, especially the brothers from 174. Bro. Yost says Bro. Wittle was undoubtedly the champion eater. After the inner man was satisfied, the Harrisburg brothers got their "goat" ready and proceeded to show the members of 562 how to initiate the twelve candidates, and they more than succeeded, to the satisfaction of all present. The members of 562 were loud in their praise of the brothers from 174, and I heard the members of 562 bid

the brothers of 174 to come again and again. Lodge 562 has an able corps of officers in the following: Brothers M. C. Long, A. M. Stover, T. N. Rothenberger, C. E. Hass and C. H. Alexander. These brothers deserve great credit for the manner in which they have handled the offices of their lodge.

My next stop was in New York City, having Bro. Scheiling examined for the allowance of his disability claim. The hours set for the examination were too early for the physicians, and Bro. C. Johnson arranged for 1 o'clock in the afternoon; this was the cause of my not making Spencer, N. C., as I had intended. I found the Erie Joint Board in session in New York, and, upon their urgent request, I worked with them until the afternoon of the 6th, when I left for Spencer,

N. C.

My next stop was Spencer, N. C., and after three days' work, Lodge 626 was organized with nineteen charter members. The outlook for the lodge is promising, and under the administration of Brothers Bulick and Linton Buchman, I look for 626 to be among the banner lodges of the South. While at Spencer I found our old friend and brother, J. L. Armstrong, doing service for Uncle Sam. The citizens of Spencer say that Bro. Armstrong is an "ideal" postmaster.

My next stop was Columbia, S. C., the home of Lodge 427. I had a pleasant chat with nine of the members, and found Brothers O. Land, T. C. Remley, G. W. Maxwell, I. Q. Anthony and T. J. Chap

man high up in the watch tower, looking out for the interest of their members.

Sunday the 10th found me meeting with Lodge 75. I found the officers and members zealous in the lodge affairs; all were working with but one object in view, that to advance the interest of their members.

Monday morning, May 11th, found me aboard the fast mail on the Pennsylvania Railroad, bound for Harrisburg, the capital city of the State of Pennsylvania, and the home of the largest lodge in the organization. I was prevented from holding a meeting, on account of the death and burial of one of the beloved members, Bro. Lewis Hearns, and the members of Lodge 174 did their lodge and the organization, as well as the memory of their deceased brother, a credit that no one who witnessed the sad and impressive scene will dispute, in their appearance and numbers at the funeral, when a hundred men were in line. The Ladies So

ciety, Pride of 174, No. 60, was represented by Mrs. Thomas H. Redmond. Dorcas Society, No. 40, B. R. T., also attended the funeral in a body. Road Foreman of Engines, J. G. Tregs and Mr. Downs, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, were among the large number in line. It was remarked that it is seldom you see

employer and employe in line at the funeral of a departed member of a labor organization, as was the case at Harrisburg, on the afternoon of April 11th. Such recognition on the part of railway officials will do more to cement the friendship that should exist between employer

and employe.

Bro. O. L. Miller, who is Marshal of 174, did justice to himself, as well as the lodge he so ably represented. Bro. W. H. Morne, of 174, is a "Beecher” in overalls, in every sense of the word.

In my next, I will give an account of my visits to the lodges along the Reading Railway.

C. A. WILSON.

Third Vice Grand Master.

The trip to the Pacific Coast and return, though quickly made, was a pleas ant one. I found the Brotherhood at each place I visited in good condition, with a splendid outlook for the future. I will give the readers of the Magazine a detailed account of my trip to the West.

I left Parsons, Kan., at 2 a. m., April 8th, and stopped over all that day in Kansas City, Mo., leaving there at 11.45,

p. m. for El Paso, Texas, via Rock Island System. All day long on April 9th the train was speeding onward toward El Paso. The weather was all that could be asked for, hence the traveling was not bad. Through southern Kansas could be seen beautiful fields of wheat just beginning to grow, as springtime was now almost at hand. Night overtook us down in the State of Texas, and when the morning of April 10th was at hand we were several hours behind schedule time. On account of the train being delayed we took breakfast at Alamogordo, N. M. This is a beautiful town on the desert, and the day will come when few places in the West will be much nicer than Alamogordo. I met several members of the Brotherhood while there, and was very sorry that I did not have time to stay longer and make the boys a visit, which I will do soon.

About noon of that date I arrived in El Paso, Texas, and was met by several of the members of Lodge 135. We held a meeting that afternoon which was very well attended. Lodge 135 is one of our best lodges in the West, and it is always a pleasure to meet with this lodge. I met Bro. A. S. Hawkins, an old time member of 178, of Salt Lake City, Utah, who is in the cigar business in El Paso. Bro. Hawkins has been an invalid for several years. He has been suffering with locomotor ataxia, and has been unable to do any kind of manual labor. The Brotherhood came to his assistance and paid him his claim, and the insurance enables him to make a living for his family.

My mission to El Paso was to examine Bro. L. L. Cranford for consumption of the lungs, which was done. Bro. Cranford's membership is in North Carolina. I felt very sorry to find this brother in such poor health. While in El Paso I was the guest of Bro. Fred L. Barnett and wife, and my stay was made as pleas ant as I could wish for. Bro. Barnett formerly lived in Des Moines, Iowa, and was for many years a prominent member of Lodge 102. While Bro. Barnett is so situated that he can not attend lodge meetings very regularly, he is, nevertheless, an enthusiastic Brotherhood man, as well as Mrs. Barnett is an enthusiastic member of the Ladies' Society. Bro. Barnett has a government position, and is looking after John Chinaman to see that he does not come across the line into the United States from Old Mexico, unless he has papers that entitle him to. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Louis

Adams, chief inspector in charge, also Mr. Jesse Carmical, his assistant, and I can say that I enjoyed the company of these gentlemen very much. El Paso is one of the thriving cities of the West, and will at some time or other make a fine city. I feel very grateful to all who made my stay in El Paso so pleasant.

The 12th of April

On April 11th I started for Phoenix, Ariz., arriving at that place at 8 a. m., April 12th. My mission there was to have Bro. McGowan, of Lodge 164, New Franklin, Mo., examined for consumption of the lungs. I found Bro. McGowan in St. Joseph's Hospital, and in very poor health. I felt very sorry to find this brother so ill. He is a young man and ought to be able to stay with us for many years to come. was Easter Sunday, and the day was grand and beautiful in Pheonix. The bells, in their calling to the people to come to divine worship, seemed to say a thousand times, "He is risen. He is not here." If the morn of the Resurrection 1,900 years ago was such as the one of April 12, 1903, in Phoenix, the inspiration from such a lovely morning would make anyone feel that "He is risen. He is not in the tomb."

In the afternoon, Bro. McGowan and myself went out to the Indian school and saw how Uncle Sam cares for the children of the Noble Red Man. These children, though from the parents of people who have led a wild, roaming life, can say that they are fast learning the ways of the pale face. I heard a chorus of voices of Indian children singing hymns that anyone might care to hear. This goes to show what training and education will do. While in Phoenix, I met Bro. Heath, of Lodge 6, who is in the West for his health. This brother was being cared for by his good wife, who was trying to make him comfortable while suffering from the disease which causes so many to seek the climate of the plains, to try and be restored to health once more.

I left Phoenix the evening of the same day that I arrived there, and while coming away had the pleasure of meeting two members of the Order who are taking care of the head end of the train on the Salt River, Maricopa and Phoenix Railway. One brother belongs to Lodge 10, of Cleveland, Ohio, while the other belonge to Lodge 94, at Tucson, Ariz. The Maricopa and Phoenix Railway is only 34 miles long, but, one thing sure, it runs through one of the most beautiful valleys that ever laid out of doors. Just

think of it! As early as April 12th, wheat, oats and barley were heading out, and all kinds of vegetation was farther advanced than at any place it had been my privilege to be, either before or since, up to this writing, April 30th. The season in that part of Arizona is earlier than in any other part of the United States, and if anyone cares to know the value of irrigation, just go to the Salt River Valley and be convinced what can be done with the water that comes from the mountains when it is properly handled.

My next stop was at San Bernardino, Cal., and a visit to Lodge 314. Owing to the fact that it was impossible to get a hall in which to meet, we were unable to hold the meeting we would like to have held. However, I feel under many and lasting obligations to Bro. Atwood and wife for the use of a large room in their home, where we endeavored to have as good a time as possible under the circumstances. Lodge 314 is a good lodge, and her members are always up to date upon all matters pertaining to Brotherhood business. I regret very much the poor health of Bro. W. J. Atwood. This brother is suffering with rheumatism, and has been so for a long time. I hope for his recovery at an early date.

After leaving San Bernardino, I went to Portland, Ore., where I had Bro. Albright, of Lodge 167, examined for total disability. This brother has been suffering with locomotor ataxia for more than two years, and now he is permanently disabled for all time to come. I met Bro. Lucas, of 193, while in Portland, and can truly say that it is a pleasure to meet this brother. It was my intention to meet with Lodges 167 and 193, but owing to the fact that the members were quite busy it was out of the question for me to do so.

I left Portland on April 17th and arrived in Missoula, Mont., at 8.30 a. m. on April 19th. Through some mistake or other there was not a very large attendance at the lodge room that afternoon. I was told, however, that 194 was in a splendid condition in every way.

On April 20th I arrived at Pocatello, Idaho, and held a good meeting with Lodge 113. This is one of the best lodges in the Northwest, and it is a pleasure to meet with its members. I was royally entertained by Bro. Pat Hannifan while in Pocatello, and I am under lasting obligations to him for his kind treatment of me every time I go to his city. Lodge 113 can feel proud of one thing, and that

is that she has a member who is now a judge, Bro. James Knowles having been elected to that position in the last city election in Pocatello. Bro. Knowles is one of our foremost brothers in that part of the country, and we all feel very proud of his securing this good position. We wish him every success in his new undertaking.

My last stop before reaching home was at Pueblo, where I held a joint meeting with Lodges 59 and 244. I have no hesitancy in saying that these two lodges are hard to beat. I am always glad to be able to meet with them, because we can always have a good time. One thing sure, we have good lodges in Colorado, and the Brotherhood is in a most excellent condition in that State. The recent meeting of our committee with the D. & R. G. management was one of the most successful from a financial standpoint held in many years. There was no friction with the management in getting what our members wanted, and this in itself is much to be thankful for. I think the Joint Board on the D. & R. G. Ry. is to be congratulated for the splendid work it did in behalf of the firemen and enginemen of that road.

It was a long time between visits with our lodges in Springfield, Mo., but I enjoyed my stay in that city very much. Our lodges in Springfield represent firemen employed on the great Frisco System. It is now a race between the Frisco and Rock Island as to which will be the greater of the two. It has been rumored that the Rock Island will take control of the Frisco, but as to this being a fact, at this time no one knows. There is one thing that can't be disputed and that is, each company is a good one to work for.

Before this letter reaches our readers I hope to have several new lodges organized. It is my intention to put in a new lodge at Jefferson City, Mo., on May 3d. This lodge will represent firemen on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

During the month of May it will be my purpose to visit lodges in Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas, and I hope to hold such meetings as will be of interest to our members at each place visited.

I see no reason why there will not be the largest increase in membership in the months of May and June of this year than in any previous two months in the history of the Order. Should we do as I expect, we will. When July 1, 1903, comes around we want to number 50,000

members all told.

It is a pleasure to meet with a good lodge, and I can say that when I met with Lodge 440, at Monett, Mo., I was highly pleased with the way this lodge does business. I found 440 in splendid condition, and the members can well feel proud of their lodge. The Master, Bro. Kyler, is a very enthusiastic worker in the Order, and to him much credit is due. I will not forget to mention Bro. Blennerhasset, one of nature's noblemen. This worthy brother is known far and near on the Frisco System, and all who know him speak in praise of his work as a Brotherhood man. Lodge 440 can well feel proud of the many members within her ranks that are good Brotherhood men. On May 2d, in the afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting with Lodge 414 and had an enjoyable time. The rush of business on the road prevented many from coming out. This lodge is in a prosperous condition and the members are happy.

On the evening of May 2d, I spent a few pleasant hours with the members of Ladies' Society 151, at St. Louis, Mo. The sisters gave a "euchre" and everything went on merrily. This society is one of the most prosperous that it has been my pleasure to meet with, and deserves success, as the ladies are all good workers for the society.

On Sunday, May 3d, I had the pleasure of organizing Capital Lodge 622, at Jefferson City, Mo. This lodge represents the firemen on the Missouri Pacific Railway. Fourteen tried and true men joined hands and will make 622 a banner lodge. I am under lasting obligations to Bro. Berry, of 78, and Bro. Ramsey, of 109, for valuable assistance in instituting this lodge.

On May 4th a very good meeting was held with Lodge 313, Kansas City, Kan., at which a candidate was initiated into the mysteries of the Order.

May 5th was a memorable day for Lodge 31, Atchison, Kan. In the afternoon a meeting was held with the members of 31, and at night a meeting with the members of their families. A pleasant surprise was the coming of Sister Killian, of Sedalia, Mo., who gave the ladies a good talk on the Ladies' Society. The result of this meeting will be the organization of a Ladies' Society in Atchison. Sister Killian was on her way to St. Joseph, Mo., to organize a society

May 6th will not soon be forgotten by the many who attended the public entertainment and reception given in behalf of Bro. Mooney, the only charter member of Lodge 43, and who now resides in Smithville, Texas. Bro. Mooney was in St. Joseph on a visit, and the members of Lodge 43 wished to show him their appreciation of his long and continued membership in their lodge. Bro. Mooney become a member of Lodge 43 the day the lodge was organized in 1876. He was one of the many to lose their positions in the Burlington strike of 1888. He is still in railroad service and is an engineer on the M., K. & T. Ry., with headquarters in Smithville, Texas. Bro. Mooney is known far and near as a good Brotherhood man and a Christian gentleman. The program rendered during the evening was as follows: Toastmaster, ex-Chief John Broder (to say that Mr. Broder did his part on this occasion would be putting it mildly); address of welcome, Mayor Chas. Borden; instrumental, Miss Nellie Patterson; duet, Miss Nellie Patterson and Harry Patterson; solo, May Morning, Mrs. Chas. Hinkley; address, Hon. Chas. Cochran; music, selected, Miss Walsh; address, L. Mooney; address, Mrs. Killian; address, Conductor Wm. Welsh; recitation, Miss Geraldine Holden; address, C. W. Maier.

After the exercises the ladies served refreshments. Bros. W. E. Sullivan, Tom Holden, Jim Kane and James Shortte were quite conspicuous and made all at home on this occasion. About 400 people were present at the evening's entertain

ment.

During the afternoon of May 6th, Sister Killian organized a good lodge of the Ladies' Society. Every one present was glad to meet Bro. Mooney once more and wished him Godspeed in his travels through life, and a safe journey home to Texas.