the People to the Use of the Earth." Spencer says, "Equity, therefore, does not permit property in land. For, if one portion of the earth's surface may justly become the possession of an individual, and may be held by him and for his sole use and benefit, as a thing to which he has an exclusive right, then other portions of the earth's surface may be so held, and, eventually, the whole of the earth's surface may be so held, and our planet may thus lapse altogether in private hands."

As a slight illustration of the above, it has been frequently stated in the public press recently that Greater New York with more than three million population is owned by less than 19,000 families, thus making the former, tenants or rent payers, though there is nothing wrong about rent, it is as natural as gravitation; but where the injustice comes in is that at present labor pays both rent and taxes. Under the Single Tax system labor would be exempt from a tax on what it produces, which would mean a couple of billion dollars yearly left in the pockets of the people.

If the appropriation of ground rents by the government produced more revenue than was needed for purely government expenses, the surplus could be disposed of in the general interest of the people, such as old age pensions, free light, water, and street car transportation. The latter

could be run as an elevator in an office building is now run; and in addition we could have parks, enlivened by music, children's playgrounds, public washhouses and bath-houses, standing rewards for scientific inventions that would benefit mankind, etc.

Under these conditions labor and capital would be lined up shoulder to shoulder, and if they fought anyone, it would be attempted monopoly. Under this system of taxation the people would get the meat and monopoly be left the shell. There need be no revolution-every land owner could still possess his title deeds and call the land his own. All that would be necessary to put it into effect would be to abolish one tax after another, until there was but a single tax on land values left.

Perhaps a great many who read this article may think that it is wrong in equity, but the principles have received the indorsement of many illustrious men. This simple tax reform would not only relieve the congested centers of labor, but make it possible to abolish the crowded tenements and tall buildings in the large cities, making slums, with their population, a thing of the past.

Fraternally yours,
ROBERT HERIOT,

FOUNDER G∙A. TO B. L. E

Ladies' Department o

Communications for publication must be written on one side of the paper. Noms de plume are always permissible, but to receive consideration must be signed by the full name and address of the author, and addressed to the Editress, MRS. M. E. CASSELL, 922 Dennison Av., Columbus, Ohio, not later than the 8th of the month.

The Editress reserves the right to revise, reject or use matter sent in, governed entirely on its merits.

Autumn Days.

Autumn is here, treading so swiftly on the heels of summer that we have scarcely noted where the two seasons touched. But the leaves are beginning to fall in the parks in the city and from the trees on the farms and in the woods out in the country, where Nature is always at her best.

The leaves are falling slowly and silently, but still they are falling. October is here in all her majesty and beauty of coloring. The foliage will soon become "a royal crown," decking Nature with mingled hues of green and gold and red.

If the pearl of the year is June, with its fresh, gracious loveliness, then October is the ruby, a crystallization, royal, even in the rough. There is no day when October is not glorious, although it is variable.

The birds are getting ready to fly to warmer climes, where they will remain during the snows of heavy winter.

The flowers, like the birds, are also

leaving us. Few flowers besides the asters and the goldenrod linger along the roadside with some of the more lowly members of the sunflower family.

To the general eye, Nature's gay children have departed, and winter seems waiting around the corner to close the door of the year, but the true lover of flowers knows where he can still find the second blossoms that spring from the stem of the mowed-down goldenrod, ox-eyed daisies, black-eyed Susans and a score of others that those who delight in even the lowliest wildflowers know well.

The brightness of their smile will not be gone from glade and glen until the cold frost comes.

The year is fast fleeing before us, and all those who, last New Year's Day, made good resolutions which they have not as yet found time to keep, should seize the few remaining months to accomplish what they promised.

Let not January come again and find us unable to look back and say that the year that has gone has shown progress and improvement, but rather let us be able to remember in the days to come that this was the year in which we accomplished some great thing of which we may well be proud.

A Visit to Buffalo.

Through the kindness of our Grand Treasurer, I was privileged to attend the inspection of the Buffalo Divisions conducted by our Grand President. On the first day of our visit, we were the guests of Div. 79, of which our Grand Treasurer is President. The work was beautifully done, and the order was excellent, and the President was highly complimented by Sister Murdock on the success of her work in bringing her Division up to the high standard which they have attained. At the close of the morning session the Sisters were all invited to a restaurant where dinner had been specially prepared, and was fully enjoyed by all who were privileged to attend. In the evening we were given a trolley ride around the city and out to Athletic Park. On Tuesday morning, by courtesy of Sister

Watkins, we were given a carriage drive around the city, going first to Ft. Porter, where we had the pleasure of viewing the soldiers drilling, which is a most inspiring sight; going from there to Delaware Park, passing the magnificent Allbright Art Gallery, returning to lunch at Hengerer's Café, with Sister Bailey.

On the 11th, we were the guests of Div. 230, Sister Murdock again conducting the inspection. The work was very well done, indeed, the responses to all the questions being prompt and correct, showing a very good knowledge of the by-laws. Sister Murdock expressed her appreciation of the splendid way in which all the work was done, and I feel sure when the report appears in the JOURNAL, Div. 230 will stand well to the front. At the close of the meeting we were entertained at dinner by Sister Hotchkiss, President of 230, at Castle Inn.

There is a good deal of history connected with this grand old building, it being the home of the late President Fillmore. We were shown through the splendid drawing-rooms, also the bedchamber in which President Fillmore died, which is still adorned with some of the quaint old walnut furniture, conspicuous among them being a walnut bedstead of very antique appearance, and a very handsome bookcase. In the evening a reception was held in the home of Sister Hotchkiss, where we were able to renew old acquaintances and make new ones which we trust will be lasting. After doing justice to all the good things prepared, we said goodnight and repaired to our homes and slept the sleep of the weary, to be ready for another day of enjoyment.

On the 12th we were the guests of Div. 232, who treated us to another carriage drive. And as the Elks' convention was being held in the city we drove up town to view the decorations which had been erected in their honor. As this was the day of the great procession we were favored with a very good view, considering the immense crowd. Elks there were from every State in the Union. And the Stars and Stripes floated bravely in the breeze as the bands played popular music,

Each State

was represented by some symbol. There were the demure little Quaker maidens (with never a tuck in their dress) and the laundry men from Troy. It would take too long to tell all the wonders of that long procession, and time went all too quickly. As we were driven through the beautiful avenues of trees and down Delaware avenue, past the residence of J. G. Milburn, where President McKinley died, and a little farther on the home of Mr. Wilcox, where President Roosevelt took the oath of office. And just opposite this street and almost directly in front of Castle Inn, the city is erecting a fitting monument to that grand man whose memory is beloved and honored by all men, President McKinley. We were then driven to Hotel Broezel, where we were entertained at dinner by the President of 232. We again assembled in session and were delighted with the work done by these Sisters. At the close of this session we were all invited to the home of Sister Watkins, where a most elaborate dinner was prepared for all the Sisters. It is needless to say we most heartily enjoyed all the good things provided by the ladies.

And as the evening wore on with social intercourse and reminiscences of other days, we felt that our G. I. A. is indeed a noble order, and I for one am proud to belong to such a grand organization. As all things must end sometime we at last said good-by to our friends and to our Grand President who was to leave very early the next morning.

Sister Editress: I feel that these few broken remarks fail to do justice to the royal way in which we were entertained by our Buffalo Sisters, but I wanted to in a measure share the good time accorded Sister Murdock, Sister Peeke, of Albany, N. Y., and myself with those who had not the opportunity of enjoying it with And I assure you that anyone who is fortunate enough to be their guest will be sure to have as we did a pleasant and profitable time.

us.

Yours in F. L. & P.,
A. A. SPROULE.

Through the Years.

Keep up, brave heart, and falter not, although The road be hard, and flowers grow not near, 'Tis easy walking when soft grass below

And heaven's blue above delight and cheer; But in the grim, dark weather, on the stones Which hurt us, then a steady march along With head upheld, and smiles, instead of moans, Bearing our lot; nay, helping midst the throng The feebler ones who faint beside the way— That is a life which leads to perfect day.

As time rolls on, one lesson comes to all-
The need of patience and a sober mind
Expecting not that at our eager call

Within our grasp we untold bliss shall find
That bird of Paradise, with shining eyes

And many-colored plumage golden bright Which flutters o'er us, and for our sad sighs Shows glorious visions, bathed in seas of light, But visions only, like the morning dew They vanish as we pass the long years through.

Yet there is much of happiness on earth

Some days are gray, but many have the sun To gild their hearts; gladness then and mirth Attend upon them, and our footsteps run On mossy turf, 'neath shade of sheltering trees; Peace in our souls and music i· our eais, Painless in body and a mind ate se

Quiet, and fearing naught for future years. With cheerful heart and looking for the best, Let us then journey to the endless rest.

Thirty-Five Years of Service.

I made a very pleasant call on Brother Hugh Sullivan and wife a few weeks ago and found Mr. Sullivan enjoying a much needed vacation. The occasion being the thirty-fifth anniversary of his connection with the B. & O. line or rather combining the B. & O. S. W. and the old O. & M. road. Some of his friends declare Mr. Sullivan to be a most fortunate man; but there is, in my opinion, something more than luck in his capacity of engineer. There has been care, the ever watchful eye and the alert ear, always looking ahead for danger; every nerve strained to the utmost in his constant attention to duty, truly the service he has given to his employers is remarkable. In all these years he has never met with an accident, never but twice was he reprimanded, on those two occasions the cause was trivial, one offense was for running ahead of time a few minutes, the other for

passing a danger board a few feet in advance. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have a large comfortable home and their especial pets are one dozen cats and a beautiful black mare whose coat shines like satin. I must not mention Mr. Sullivan's age, it may be a breach of proprieties; but that he is a trusted and valued employee of the B. & O. S. W. there is no question. There are a great many other engineers whom I could willingly and truthfully mention as worthy men did space allow. There are Bros. Robinson, Evans, Markle, Boas, Alberty, Donnells, Towey, Smalley, Nimnicht, Stump, Lynch, Haag, Michler, Borders, Schwab, Guth, Day, Dory, McKinster, Gilley, Waggoner and others whose names I cannot now recall that have proven themselves efficient. May God guard over each and all and may they continue for many years as worthy in the future as in the past the noble engineers for the B. & O. S. W.

Their friend,

MRS. HENRY B. JONES.

New Divisions.

SISTER J. A. MORTON, of St. Paul, Minn., informs us thas she wrote this office about organizing a Division at Breckenridge, Minn., giving a detailed account of the same and the hospitality extended by those forming the new Division. This letter was never received and as Sister Norton lost the original notes she felt that she could not write it up again and get it to suit her from memory. We wish to welcome this Division to the ranks of the G. I. A. and would be pleased to hear from them at any time.-EDI

TRESS.

WHITE ROSE Div., 360, was organized at Lafayette, La., July 6, 1905. We were met at the train by Sister Ella Carroll and Brother Gregory, Chief of F. H. Gregory Division, who told us the hall was in readiness for us. We were then taken to the hotel for dinner, and soon afterwards were ready to organize. After the Division was organized it was rather late, so we proceeded to the residence of

July 23, Grand President Sister Murdock came to Milwaukee to hold a school of instruction. She and Sister Balls, of No. 1, the Inspector for this section, came direct to the hall from the morning train. There were about one hundred sisters of different Divisions to welcome them. Among the visitors were Sister Brockman, President of Div. 347; Sister Johnson, of Div. 238; Sister Kileen, of Div. 54; Sister Powers, of Div. 196; Sister Hart, of Div. 35; Sister Dixon, of Div. 255, besides Sisters from Lacrosse and Fond du Lac. Division 54 deserves special praise for the large delegation she sent. One face that brought many smiles was that of Sister Spooner, of Div. 35. Sister Spooner organized Jewel Division, and was later one of our Presidents.

Sister O'Keefe called the meeting to order, and the officers of Jewel Division filled the chairs. They worked faithfully until 12:30, when the Sisters made merry while doing justice to well-filled lunchboxes. It being a day for work, little time was spent in the dining room. Div. 255 then filled the chairs and proved their knowledge of the work. We should have liked to show Sister Murdock a little more attention, but as she left at 4 p. m.

there was no time for social demonstration. Dear Sister Murdock, the "spirit was willing."

COR. SEC., Jewel Div. 231.

Inspections.

BESIDES the work of the office, of which an account was given in the September JOURNAL, a fraternal visit, in response to an invitation, was made to No. 353 at Fitchburg, Mass., June 8. Two sessions were held, at one of which Sister Moss, of No. 155, was also a visitor. Both sessions were well attended, and it was a pleasure to work with a Division which manifests so much interest; paying such attention to all the details of ritualistic work that we are assured No. 353, although the youngest yet in New England, will rank among the best. While in Fitchburg, by the kindness of Bro. Mulany, F. A. E., No. 191, it was my privilege to visit Whalom Park on the Fitchburg and Leominster Street Railway, which comprises many acres of land and grove near a beautiful lake. Many cottages are on the shore whose occupants have done much toward making this resort a success. The grounds are filled with a profusion of flowers. Among the other attractions are the bathing beach and pavilion containing many rooms, with an emergency hospital, laundry and drying plant, the toboggan slide, which starts from a tower 40 feet above the surface of the water; shore drive, rustic retreats and bridges, the deer park, with moose and elk and a variety of other animals. The theater has a seating capacity of 3,000, where the Whalom Opera Company amuses the public with light opera. In its interior from 1,000 to 4,000 electric lamps are used in producing electric lighting effects.

The McKinley cruiser, which during the campaign of 1896 was run upon the railway tracks as a trolley gunboat, manned by a gallant crew of enthusiastic Republicans, floats in front of the park, covered with many colored lights at night. She is a gorgeous sight. "Beautiful Whalom" offers many attractions and inducements to outing parties, and to be