The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-18
FIREMEN'S BUSY DAY
CHANGES OF CONSTITUTION
 UNDER DISCUSSION.
'Engineman" Substituted for Fireman" in the Preamble. Col. W. C.. P. Brsckinridge
 Finds Impossible
 to Appear.

Chattanooga, Tenn, Sept. 17.-Th;s was busy day with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Bremen. The report of the Committee on Constitution and bylaws was in progress all day, the report hay ing been commenced Tuesday and when the evening session adjourned at 6 o'clock the committee had not yet com pleted its report. About two-thirds of the constitution has been finally acted upon and the remainder of the commit tees report will be heard tomorrow.
 The first important change recommend ed was the substitution of the word
 engineman' for the word fireman as it appears in the pre-,Inble. This change was of great import ,nce as the action regarding 1t would decide the recogni- ton to be given the engineers who belong to the order. Ten per cent or more or the members of the brotherhod are now active engineers and on this account the convention finally adopted the word 'engineman' khich includes both fireman and engineer and admits the two on the same footing
 resolution was introduced to change manner. but was rejected by an almost unanimous vote.
 In the portion of the constitution where the number and character of the grand officers is stated it was proposed to amend by adding the title of fourth vice grand master and after general discussion the motion carried and the office of fourth vice-grard master was created and will be filled at the elections Friday or Satur- day.
 These actions completed the morning session Invitations were read from the Second Presbyterian Church and the First po tn those churches at morning and evening worship respectively on next Sunday ana both invitations were accepted.
 The afternoon meeting was called by the Grand Master at 2:30 o'clock and immediately after the opening of the meeting the Grand Secretary read a tele- gram from Colonel w. c. P. Breckin- ridge stating that 1t would be impossible for him to leave Lexington. but that he would write at once and explain why he was unable to do so.
 The committee on constitution then re- stunned it's report. After a general dis cussion the resolution to make the length of time a man must have served as a fireman before he could be admitted to the order from nine months to six months, was lost.
 It was decided to increase the reserve fund for the Brotherhood from $lO0.OOO to s250O0o This increase Is made neces- sary by the great growth of the order and was recommended by Acting Grand Master Hannahan In his biennial report. The necessary amount will be raised by quarterly assessments.
 It was also decided to pay every mem her of the Brotherhood who is over Iu years of age. the full amount Of the insurance claim. This will mean the giving beneficiaries several thousand dol lars at once and from now on a large amount yearly. A number of resolutions were introduced providing for additional disabilities on which claims will be paid but all were lost
 Discussion of the negro labor question was not reached today
 The convention is expediting business in order to be able to finally adjourn by Saturday If possible.