The Advocate and news., 1898-11-02

New YORK CenJral ana Lake SnOre, ana
was one of the most pleasant ones It
was my privilege of ever taking. Nj
agara Falls is undoubtedly one Of the
seven wonders of the world and TO see
this beautiful place is only to appreciate
1t. All along the line to Chicago we had
an opportunity Of seeing beautiful farms
and fine cities that helped to make the
return trip pleasant one. Once more
in Chicago each bid the other goodbye,
hoping that all would be spared to meet
In Des Moines in September 1900.
In speaking Of the Brotherhood and
Of the work that has been accomplished,
1t is only fair to say that wonderful
change has taken place upon the differ
ent railroads of the North American
continent in the way of shortening the
hours of labor, raising the wages and
betterlng the treatment. Only few
years ago locomotive firemen had to
work long hours Tin many instances no
limit to the time) for very small wages;
to-day 1t is 100 miles or less or ten hours
or less that constitutes days work.
Again, the treatment Of the men was
anything but good, but to-day we find
our men treated all right, with little II
any cause to complain Of at ALL This
change has been brought about by the
Brotherhood. Our firemen are a better
class Of men, more sober, reliable and
industrious. Instead of spending their
money toolishly they are taking care
Of it, buying homes for themselves and
their families and trying to beautify
them in order that their loved ones may
have a place. That makes a person a
patriotic citizen and besides life worth
living. Another thing the Brotherhood
has done Is to break up the drinking
habit as carried on by some Of our rail-
road boys in days gone by There is less
drinking among railroad men to-day
than ever before-in fact, few Of our
boys use Intoxicating liquors at all. We
are satisfied that it is the Brotherhood
that has been an important factor in
the case in discouraging this terrible
evil. The teachings of the Brotherhood
are against the use Of liquors in any form
as a beverage, as well as gambling and
the useless waste Of hard-earned money.
The Brotherhood also teaches economy,
asking its members to take care Of their
dollars in their younger days in order
LudL luGlI uOlidIb may bchhC GehLC VI JhOA4
when they get old.
We can say that we are at peace with
the world, have no trouble OF any kind
with our employers, the best Of feeling
exists between the different railroad
arrangements and our members, all of
which we are grateful for. Our men,
bers are loyal to their country and their
country's flag. Many of them have given
up good positions and have left home
and fireside and gone forth to battle for
their Country's cause, just as willing to
make sacrifices as any one else that their
country's flag might live forever.
No doubt but that in the future more
interest will be taken by wage-workers
in legislative matters than in days gone
by; instead of staying by the party of
their forefathers they will vote for the
man who is friendly to the cause Of la
Dor, regardless Of political party. and
see that laws are enforced that are made
for their benefit, wishing to avoid, If
possible, the strike, which has done some
good as well as harm, asking for them
selves that which is right, honorable and
just from those who have the power to
grant it, in order that they may be able
to take good care of those dependent
upon them for support, an obligation
they cannot fulfill unless means are
within their reach to do. In conclusion
we say that the Brotherhood has done
much to assist the locomotive firemen
of this continent in many ways, and we
hope the usefulness of the order may last
as long as there is an engine to be fired
and trains to run upon the iron highways
of the North American continent