The Advocate and news., 1898-01-19
Address to Railroad BrOtherhOOds.

the railway brOtherhOods in December:
To the Officers and Members Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemen,
Order OF Railway Conductors, Brother
hood of Railroad Trainmen, Order OF
Railway Telegraphers:
Sirs and Brothers:-The year 1897 Is
fast drawing to a close and as we review
the work accomplished by the five orga-
nizations representing the train service
employees on the railways Of the United
States, Canada and Mexico, the close
allliation that the organizations have
maintained and the harmony that nas
prevailed among the grand and the sub
ordinate officials and members of the
BrOtherhoods during the year, we are led
to believe that there is to-day better
understanding of our duties to each
other, and that we are daily improving
our efficiency as brotherhood men, and
our organizations becoming more infu-
ential. To one who has love for the
brotherhood that represents his call
ing, who has been an active worker in
his division or lodge, and whose intiu-
buC6 udS UGtH uStu W DlOulOIO
mony and good will among railway men,
the present standing and relationship
of the railway organizations will be to
him a source of pleasure, and will en-
courage him to continue his labors, that
we may perfect our undertakings by
complete organization of the craft in
all departments of the train service.
During the year marked progress has
been made in each organization by in
creased membership, additional lodges
and divisions. In fact, 1897 will be re-
corded as year of progression among
the railway fraternities. Yet, we see be-
fore us a large field in which we can
labor with profit, and with the open
ing of the new year your grand officers
are desirous Of enlisting the support and
cooperation of every brother in what
ever department of the service he may
be engaged, in spreading the gospel OF
organization among the unorganized,
that there may be found none in the
train service whose calling is repre-
sented by the organizations but has a
knowledge of the benefits OF Organiza-
tiOn and becomes an earnest worker In
the cause. To accomplish this we must
have the assistance of every brother.
We would ask that wherever there Is
found an engineer without membership
in the organization representing the en-
gine service, that brothers of all sister
organizations join with the members Of
that craft in drilling into his mind the
necessity of becoming a brotherhood
man. II a conductor is found without
membership in the organization repre-
senting his calling, let the brothers OF
the other organizations join with the
conductors in converting him to the
faith that he may help to swell the
ranks of the organized. That brother
engineers and conductors use their
united influence to bring every worthy
brakeman, fireman and telegrapher that
is to-day outside of the brotherhoods
representing their respective callings
within the fold, that there may be a
complete organization.
The grand officers are working to-
gether, each assisting the other, and we
ask the membership to join hands and
hearts and go out and gather in the
many that are without the protecting
influence of the brotherhoods. Let every
train crew be composed of brotherhood
men, and If any one is found without
membership let the united influence of
his associates be thrown around him to
make him member.
Brothers, what We need to-day is a
more thorough organization of our sew
eral callings. To obtain this we must
have the support of every member. Our
division and lodge meetings must be
attended by every brother who Is situ-
ated so that he can be present, and thus
encourage the others. Let every indi
vidual realize that he has duty to per-
form; that his obligation requires Of
him constant service for the brother
hoods and let the purpose Of each MEM
ber be to do what he can for the order
and not wait to see what others are do