Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-21
The Railroad Trainmen's An
nual Convention.
The Origin and History Of the
Organization.
What 1t Has Accomplished for Train-
men Generally.
The Parade Yesterday Afternoon-Who
the Delegates Are-The Opening of
the Convention at the Pavilion.

Fine looking, stalwart, intelligent,
representative American workers and
American men such was the verdict
passed by the Los Angeles public on the
members of the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Trainmen, who paraded yesterday
afternoon and whose annual convention
was opened last evening. The city was
crowded with people yesterday anxious
to do honor to those brave and able
men. Many OF the delegates are accom-
panied by their families and the ladies,
OF course, are loud in their praises OF
the city and Southern California gener-
orally.
The local lodge, Paradise by name ,and
"a in number, has made all possible
preparations for caring for the visitors,
owing to the earnest efforts
of the committee on entertain.
ment, composed of G.. B. Patterson
chairman; Hugh Byrne, w. H. Clum,
George Trepanier, A. d. Renfro, r. L,
Barton, I. S. Lewis and HI. D. Drake.
The officers of this lodge are: Master.
A. ID. Renfro; vice-master, E. T. TAYLOR
past master, H. Byrne; chaplain, j. H.
Morrlssey conductor, w. H. Clum; war
den, dad" Whittesley; inner guard
w. III. Harrison; outer guard, J. Welch :
secretary, G. B. Patterson financier, R.
BOttman.
The Brotherhood.
The Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men, formerly the brotherhood of railroad
brakemen, was organized at Oneonta, N.
T., in the autumn of 1883 by a few
freight brakemen who assembled in a
caboose and decided to establish union
Tor mutual protection. They were but a
mere handful of men, pledging each
other financial assistance in time of
need; and it is by no means probable
that they foresaw the splendid structure
that was destined to rise above the
humble foundation then laid. At that
time there was in existence the brother
hood OF locomotive engineers, the
brotherhood of locomotive tiremen, and
the order of railway conductors; but no
effort worthy of mention had been made
TO organize the brakemen or the switch
men.
That the time for such an order had
come, and that the country was ready
Tor it is evident from the fact that the
infant. organization quickly gained a
toothold in the neighboring cities. and
new lodges were formed with wonderful
rapidity. In single year the order had
grown to a membership of eight hun
dred members, representing 81 lodges.
Not long after the first annual conven-
ton, which met in Oneonta, the young
and rapidly growing brotherhood met
with disaster that suddenly checked its
progress and for a time threatened its
existence. 1t was discovered that Grand
treasurer OsterhOut was an embezzeler
through his dishonesty the organization
was brought to the verge of ruin. The
rumor OF bankruptcy spread and there
was imminent danger that the members
would tatly refuse to pay another
assessment, and that the movement
would come to an inglorious end.
The board OF trustees Immediately as
sembled and decided to place Ed. F.
OShea in charge of affairs. Mr.. O'Shea
was at the time clerk for the de-
faulting treasurer and had been instru-
mental in exposing the theft. He
assumed thes duties of grand
secretary and treasurer temper
arily, and at the next conven-
ton was elected to those Offices.
he set himself vigorously to work to re-
pair the shattered fortunes of the broth
erhood. Organizers were put on the
road, confidence was restored and the
gOOd work once more moved forward,
For flve years he held the double office
OF treasurer, and also editor and mana
ger OF the journal, and then resigned
his position at the last convention, held
IN st. Paul, to become traffic agent fol
the Southern Pacific at Denver. During
those five years the order grew from
feeble band ola few hundred to a power
tul army OF twenty thousand distributed
over the United States and Canada.
AT the last convention much beneficial
legislation was enacted. The name was
changed to the Brotherhood of Railroad
Tralnmen, and its membership is com
posed OF conductors, brakemen, switch
men, baggagemen and yardmasters. A
sum OF $1,000 is paid to each member who
is totally disabled, or to his heirs in
the event of his death. The power O
the order may be judged from the fac
that 1T pays out annually to the widow,
and orphans nearly 100000.
The official organ owned and published
by the brotherhood at Galesburg, ILL.,
has circulation of some % 200 copies
and is steadily extending the territory i
covers. The past year has been a very
successful one for the order. S. E. Wilk
1nson. who has been grand master 70
the past five years, has this year con
ducted negotiations with number o
railroad companies which resulted ir
settlements that have raised wages il
many different parts of the nation ap
gregating many thousands of dollars AM
bringing better conditions to the train
men. The present convention in thi
city will continue week or ten days an,
will probably be noted for it's progressive
legislation.
The Parade.
At 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon tn,
sidewalks were crowded with peopl,
anxious to take look at the visitors
The merchants along Main and Spring
streets, and Broadway, had in man,
instances decorated their stores, and tn