Music a Recreation.

The effect of music upon health and disease is incalculable. No home should be without some instrument, for it is better than medicine. For installing ambition in the lazy and indifferent it is almost magical. I have stirred phlegmatic and careless boys to sudden enthusiasm by the playing of a stirring march, and individuals who had lost heart were found with a sudden determination to again go into the fight and win.

Harmony has a magical effect on the mind. Who has not seen himself surmounting all obstacles and reaching the very pinnacle of fame during the rendition of a march like " Tannhäuser," for instance, or the beautiful duet in the second act of "Cavalleria Rusticana?"

66

How much brighter the world appears when you get up from your seat after a fine concert. Music seems to clear away all the clouds; it borders on the divine. The part it has played in the religion of the world, particularly in the efforts of Christianity, is seldom taken into consideration; and yet a beautiful fugue or a grand oratorio possesses great power to instill religion into the heart than all the sermons in the world.

Notice.

There will be a School of Instruction on June 20, in New York City, in the 12th Ward Bank Building, 125th St. and Lexington Av., under the auspices of Div. 264.

The Grand President will be with us and a cordial invitation is extended to all sister Divisions to be present.

Division News.

ONE of the most brilliant and successful social functions given in South Philadelphia for some time was the supper tendered on March 23, by Philadelphia Div., 332, G. I. A., to Div. 51, B. of L. E., at Federal Hall, 17th and Federal streets.

The supper was given in grateful recognition and appreciation of the generosity on the part of Div. 51, B. of L. E., in supplying Div. 332 all necessary parapher

nalia, etc., when the latter Division was organized. Speeches eulogistic of the good to be accomplished by co-operation of the two organizations were delivered by Chief Engineer Kyle, L. M. Genay and Harry M. Cooper. The affair was enlivened by the rendition of solos by Messrs. Muldoon and Lynch, who are prime favorites, and who added much enjoyment to the occasion.

Too much praise cannot be given the committee, of which Mrs. J. Ray was chairlady, for the efficient manner in which the affair was conducted from begining to end.

The members of Div. 332 as well as their numerous friends were extremely delighted with the success of the supper, inasmuch as the Division is a comparatively new one and after surmounting many difficulties is now in a flourishing condition. MRS. R. COOPER.

THE Mrs. John Henney Div. 351, New York City, New York, has had to be silent as we have only been organized since February 8, 1905. This being our first introduction we hope it will appear in print to the readers of the JOURNAL and our Sister Divisions.

We have a very congenial Division, each one working in harmony with the other and meeting regularly. At present we have 23 members, and expect to initiate more at our next regular meeting. On April 26 we held our first social function in the form of a progressive euchre party, which increased our treasury several dollars. It was largely attended by members and friends of our Brother Div. 589, B. of L. E., who also assisted us in managing and entertaining. There were about 40 prizes, all very kindly donated, and although a vote of thanks was sent to each one who so kindly donated we wish to again thank each one through the JOURNAL. About 11 o'clock the floor was cleared for dancing and the grand march occurred headed by Bro. W. R. Marley, Chief of Div. 589, B. of L. E., and Sister Geo. D. Cook, our Vice President and Chairman of Committee, followed by about fifty couples.

The committee having charge of the affair were untiring in their efforts for all to have a good time and that they succeeded was very evident, for it was enjoyed by all there.

Wishing all sister divisions prosperity to cultivate the grand principles of our order in their daily lives is the earnest wish of Yours in F. L. and P.,

MRS. G. A. MORNHIN WEG, Sec. 351.

DIV. 70 G. I. A., Connellsville, Pa., comes again before the readers. Our Auxiliary has been quite lively since installation. We've had quite a number of socials which were a success. Visiting day we had a large delegation of ladies, Sisters from Glenwood, Pa. We had an enjoyable meeting when they were with us; and refreshments were served in the early evening at the hospitable home of Brother and Sister Kerns. Our Brother Division from appearances is flourishing. The Division gave a ball April 18, and the Auxiliary ladies served refreshments. The ball was a success both socially and financially; a large crowd was in attendance. A lovely hand-painted picture; painted and given by our President, Sister Graham, was raffled and was won by Mr. Putnam. We hope to have many more than our usual attendance as the nice weather comes.

Our meetings are very interesting, and for Sisters that are kept at home with cares of a family two afternoons in the month are like good medicine. Try it and see.

Sisters, please let more of us try and attend. Make No. 70 to the front both in work and in numbers, in the lovely summer months that are coming. With best wishes to all Sisters,

I am in Friendship and Love, ANNIE CORVIN. PERHAPS the readers of the JOURNAL would once more like to hear from Lake Ontario Div. 315, Oswego, N. Y. We have been organized just one year, and we are congratulating ourselves continually on our success. We have thirtyseven members, and each vies with the other in being helpful. The best feeling of fellowship exists between the Sisters,

and all seem to be of one mind, having the good of our order at heart, and seeking in every possible way to promote the comfort of the Brothers. Everything we do seems to bring us some good, and personally, I am sure, that so long as the present feeling of conscientiousness, fidelity and love exists, every undertaking must be a complete success.

March the 10th being the first anniversary of our organization, we celebrated the event by having a birthday party in the evening in the B. of L. E. rooms, to which the Brothers and their wives were invited. The rooms were tastefully decorated with pink carnations and green, and presented a very pleasing appearance. Favors were given the guests in the form of buttonhole bouquets of pink carnations. The members wore their badges. To defray the expenses of the evening each sister contributed as many cents as she was years old, and as we are all of age, at least, this paid our expenses of the evening, and left a small balance for the treasury. The Brothers were asked to guess on the combined ages of the Sisters, and the one who gave the most nearly correct answer was to receive a prize. Bro. Chas. Miller was the lucky one, guessing within four years of the correct number. This afforded not a little amusement.

The remainder of the evening was spent in listening to music, talks from a few of the Brothers visiting, and last but not least the serving of a lunch, to which forty were served at one time. A pleasing feature of the luncheon was the mysterious appearance of a birthday cake with one candle. It was a happy thought of Brother Cahill, whose wife was in the secret, and managed it very cleverly.

At a late hour we wended our way homeward, tired but happy at the apparent success of our birthday party.

Some time in April we anticipate having a sale of useful and fancy articles to raise a little money to have in time of need. MRS. W. E. COLE, Sec., Div. 315.

SINCE being introduced to our JOURNAL friends, I have thought 337 Bellville,

Ont., should say a little in a modest way about themselves and what they are doing. Mrs. Sproule came the first of December, and we were duly organized. By holding our charter open for a short time we registered nineteen members; a pleasant event taking place in repairing to the home of Brother Taylor to initiate Mrs. Taylor, the ceremony being very impressive, as this worthy couple have spent their lives in railway service and with something akin to devotion to the B. of L. E.

After looking up our finances we decided to give a literary and musical entertainment, which added considerably to our treasury, and all enjoyed very much. Many selections being contributed by members' children, the ladies working in perfect harmony, that everything might prove a success.

BUCKEYE Div. 65 of Cleveland, O., were received and entertained by Sister W. E. Futch at her home, 192 Harkness Av., on Wednesday afternoon, April 3.

Those present mutually agreed that a more pleasant afternoon was never spent by the crowd. And that Sister Futch cannot be excelled for her delightful manner of entertaining. The hostess was assisted in receiving by her friends Mrs. J. F. Walker, wife of Bro. J. F. Walker of Div. 16, Galion, O., and Mrs. A. B. Greshen of 23 Edmund St. Mrs. Futch and her two friends were suitably attired in dainty white gowns. The nature of the entertainment was purely social and a short program was rendered in the early part of the afternoon.

Miss Goss, daughter of Brother Goss, rendered a beautiful vocal solo. Miss Ethel, the accomplished daughter of Brother and Sister Futch, gave a beautiful recitation in her delightful manner.

Then the real enjoyment began when paper and pencils were passed and the task of naming ten cities which were veiled in rhymes.

This required considerable time and amusement, as none were allowed to tell, but once in a while two enthusiasts would slyly hint to each other and set

the others on fire with excitement to guess that one city.

Sister Price was the recipient of the first prize, a handsome hand-painted jeweled comb. Sister Salmons and Sister Roff cut the cards for second, Sister Roff being the lucky one to receive a handsome leather hand-bag. Most delicious refreshments were served and then each one was favored with carnations. To those who were deprived of being present, we must say, you missed an immense treat, and one that will be happily remembered. ONE WHO WAS THERE.

G. I. A. Voluntary Relief Association.

TOLEDO, O., June 1, 1905.

To Division Insurance Secretaries, V. R. A. : You are hereby notified of the death of the following members, and for the payment of these claims you will collect 50 cents from each member carrying one certificate, and $1.00 from each one carrying two; providing, however, that no one be assessed on a certificate, if the application for same was dated later than April

30, 1905.

ASSESSMENT No. 216.

Died April 30, 1905. Sister Josephine Nelson, aged 69, of Div. 98, Topeka, Kan. Cause of death, jaundice. Carried two certificates, dated August, 1902, payable to Thomas Nelson, husband, and Wm. Nelson, son.

ASSESSMENT NO. 217.

Died May 7, 1905. Sister M. E. Brantner, aged 57, of Div. III, Martinsburg, W. Va. Cause of death, Bright's disease. Carried two certificates, dated March, 1892, and March, 1900, payable to F. T. Brantner, husband, and Carrie Dorn, daughter. ASSESSMENT No. 218.

Died May 10, 1905. Sister Elizabeth Eversole, aged 68, of Div. 152, Argentine, Kan. Cause of death, sarcoma. Carried one certificate, dated March, 1899, payable to Jacob T. Eversole, husband.

Members will pay their Insurance Secretaries on or before June 30, or be marked delinquent; and in order to reinstate must pay a fine of 10 cents on each certificate besides the delinquency. Insurance Secretaries must remit to General Secretary and Treasurer not later than July 10, or stand delinquent till remittance is made.

Members in good standing April 30, 1905, fortynine hundred and fifty-seven in the first class; two thousand and sixty-one in the second class.

Blank notices of transfers have been mailed to every Insurance Secretary. If they were not received, notify the General Secretary and Treas

urer.

MRS. GEO. WILSON, Pres. V. R. A. M. L. ROBERTSON, Gen'l Sec'y and Treas.

• Technical

Contributions for this department must be received by the Editor on or before the 12th of the month to be in time for the succeeding issue.

Twelfth Annual Convention of the Air Brake Association.

BY R. H. BLACKALL.

The Twelfth Annual Convention of the Air Brake Association was called to order by President Hume, at New Orleans.

After the address of the President the Secretary reported, showing the association to be in a very prosperous condition owing to a large number of members having been taken in during the past year

The report of the treasurer showed that the financial condition of the association was on a par with the membership, there being almost $1,100 in the treasury.

The following committees were appointed:

Thanks-Otto Best, Henry Wahlert, W. R. Garrabrant.

Obituary-H. S. Draper, C. B. Conger, Geo. R. Parker.

The following paper was then read by Mr Langan in place of the Chairman, C. H. Larimer, who was not present.

OIL CUPS AND AIR STRAINERS. This paper called attention to the severe conditions under which an air pump had to operate, and the necessity that something should be done to better the conditions under which it worked was pointed out.

It is now necessary for a pump, in the long train service of today, to frequently work at its maximum capacity for long periods of time. This cannot be done successfully unless the air cylinder, as well as the steam, be given proper lubrication. This can only be done by the introduction of an automatic oil cup. The necessity of using a means of withholding as much dirt and grit as possible from the air cylinder was pointed out, and experience showed that the present style of strainer was not adequate and that a better form should be supplied.

Where efficient automatic lubrication

of the air cylinder is employed there has resulted a much greater increase in life to piston packing rings and cylinders, doing away with groaning and reducing the heating to a minimum, with a less accumulation of gum among the parts of the engineer's brake valve.

As a necessary adjunct to proper lubri cation of the air cylinder of the pump, is the matter of a strainer with sufficient sized openings to allow the free passage of the air. With the type of strainers in present use, the perforations are so small that the free area opening is restricted compared to air cylinder inlets, and, as the strainer becomes clogged, this area is reduced at the expense of the pump. A strainer should have ample area opening, enough so that if half of the perforations are clogged the opening will still be in excess of the inlet area to cylinder. It should be located where the air will be as free from dirt as possible.

One form of strainer that is used to some extent consists of a cylinder filled with curled hair, in addition to the perfor ated plate. The hair is oiled, and, as the air passes through, the dirt is caught by the oil, allowing the air to pass to the pump pure.

On one road this device was applied to helping engines that were used in tunnel work, and it was found that in four days' time there was a collection of carbon and grit equal to a tablespoonful, showing the necessity for improved strainers.

DISCUSSION.

L. M. Carlton.-Experimented through the winter with curled hair strainer 511⁄2 in. in diameter, and was very much surprised to note the amount of dirt, ashes and filth collected, due to cleaning fires over ash pits. Upon examining the cylinder after five months of service he found it in excellent condition.

T. L. Borton.-Referred to the good results obtained by the use of a hair strainer in shop plants, and thought it the proper thing but did not consider it necessary to put oil on the hair. He also favored the use of the automatic oil cup.

P. J. Langan.-Spoke of strainers filled with wool which, if packed perfectly

tight, still allows the air to pass through freely and thinks wool could be used to good advantage. He believed the question of lubrication most important and thought that proper lubrication increased the life of the pump 50 per cent.

C. B. Conger.-Referred to the fact that compressor people lubricated their machines at the middle of the stroke and believed this to be the proper place.

W. Daly.-Believed that the top of the air cylinder was the proper place to oil as he had found that there was then plenty of oil at the lower end of the cylinder.

O. Best.-Believed in a strainer 6 in. wide and 4 in. deep, but was not in favor of an oil cup as he thought that they did most of their feeding at one time and that they stopped up the ports.

F. B. Farmer.-Thought it preferable to use an oil cup and run the chance of its stopping up, rather than cut the cylinder.

E. G. Desoe.-Was not in favor of the strainer as they are most likely to stop up where they would be of the most service. He thought better results would be obtained by running the suction to the front end of the engine.

H. S. Draper -Has used a strainer for a year with good results; best results were obtained by oiling the hair.

Geo Frederick.-Put a rod oil cup holding about three tablespoonfuls of oil on the middle of an 8-inch pump on a switch engine and found that the oil would last about four days. The plunger had a lift of 1-64 in.

W. R. Garrabrant.-Has experimented recently with the ball and also the spindle type of the Westinghouse Oil Cup and obtained good results.

J. P. Kelly.-Stated that his company had been making oil cups for two years, and believed that automatic oiling was the proper method.

TRAIN PIPE LEAKAGE IN FREIGHT SERVICE; EFFECTS, CAUSES, AND HOW TO REDUCE. P. J. Langan.

Train - pipe leakage has manifested itself much more since the greater tonnage per train has been in vogue. The transportation speaks of the tonnage, the engineer and the air brake man speak of

the number of cars as each additional car means a greater amount of air for the pump to supply, due to leakage.

The effort to do away with yard blockades tends to increase the amount of trainpipe leakage, as the cars are not always held a sufficient time to remedy this defect.

Railroads make a great mistake in allowing outside firms to inspect their cars as men in the employ of these companies are not always aware of the importance of tight train pipes, proper clamping, etc., and they do not insist on the rigid inspection that a railroad inspector would.

Engineers are sometimes blamed for rough handling of trains for which the train-pipe leakage, instead of the engineer, is to blame. An engineer may make the proper amount of reduction by the air gauge, but the additional amount obtained by the train-pipe leakage is sufficient to cause the slack to act in an objectionable manner, especially when the train is a mixed one of loads and empties.

A case is cited where an engineer shut off one mile before reaching a passing siding when he had a train of 100 cars, and where train-pipe leakage was such that he did not wish to use the brakes owing to the roughness of the response in previous applications of the brake. He was also afraid of stuck brakes in the event of his making a brake application.

The committee also thinks that due to the poor care given the brakes on some roads train-pipe leakage is likely to be excessive after emergency applications due to break-in-twos, on account of the dirt and scale blown on to the emergency valve seat when the train parts.

Heavily loaded trains cannot be controlled safely on heavy grades unless the train-pipe leakage is kept down. The committee state it as their opinion that fifty-car trains cannot be handled successfully on a 134 per cent grade unless the train-pipe leakage is kept down to four pounds per minute.

Attention is called to the poor pipe and fittings employed, poor pipe work due to the use of poor tools and the large amount of inferior quality of hose used on