" Today men operating
electric engines or motor or gas cars on lines using electricity
are eligible for membership, if they are otherwise qualified.
This arrangement does not interfere with unions already
established on interurban lines.
The leadership of this order of firemen has been less continuous,
though scarcely less conspicuous, than that of the other
brotherhoods. Before 1886 the Grand Secretary and Treasurer was
invested with greater authority than the grand master, and in
this position Eugene V. Debs, who served from 1881 to 1899, and
Frank W. Arnold, who served from 1893 to 1903, were potent in
shaping the policies of the Union. There have been seven grand
masters and one president (the name now used to designate the
chief officer) since 1874. Of these leaders Frank P. Sargent
served from 1886 until 1892, when he was appointed Commissioner
General of Immigration by President Roosevelt. Since 1909,
William S. Carter has been president of the Brotherhood. Born in
Texas in 1859, he began railroading at nineteen years of age and
served in turn as fireman, baggageman, and engineer. Before his
election to the editorship of the Firemen's Magazine, he held
various minor offices in local lodges. Since 1894 he has served
the order successively as editor, grand secretary and treasurer,
and president. To his position he has brought an intimate
knowledge of the affairs of the Union as well as a varied
experience in practical railroading.
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