John R. Raynes

“ The Midland strike cost the new Society something like £3,000, and a tribute of admiration is due to the committee for the generous manner in which it sought to bring the very best results out of a sad blunder by other people. There was no direct approach to companies by the Society then, because Trade Unions were not recognised. ”

“ Sunter some months later," was never more fully illustrated than in the recent dispute with the Midland Company. If the men had belonged to our Society it would not have resulted in a strike, because the Company, realising the men's potency, would not venture to impose upon them such conditions. The statement that the Society encouraged the men to strike is not true. The Society did not encourage the men to strike, nor pay strike pay, but under the rules the Society paid out in out-of-work pay to 402 members £1,685 16s. ”

“ The Executive could hardly do any other. On the Midland at the time they met were some who refused to strike, and some firemen taking the places of drivers, while drivers from other systems were being sent to help the Midland defeat the men. It was impossible for a Society of Locomotive Engineers to endorse such a state of affairs. ”

“ In its first days the Society paid 30s, as contribution to the Trade Union Congress, but in 1886 it sent £10, and asked the committee to forward all possible information upon the Engineers' Certificate Bill. This was a Bill designed to forbid any but experienced and trained men handling locomotives and steam boilers. The examination systems imposed by companies caused a renewed demand for model engines to assist young members, and in 1887 a deputation of three members of the Executive was appointed to wait upon engineering firms to secure the necessary models. ”

“ Trouble on The Midland—First Emblems and Medallions—The Model Engines—A Calamitous Strike—The Generous Executive—Bitter Memories—The Tragedy of Tom Ball—Dot and Wool Tests—A North Eastern Programme.
"The claims of the Society upon enginemen and firemen are becoming more fully recognised year by year," said the seventh annual balance sheet, which covered the year up to December 31st, 1886. ”

“ In conlusion, your employees desire that you will kindly consider their responsible, arduous, and dangerous duties, and that you will grant the requests contained in the above programme. Should you have the beneficence to grant our requests, we can only add that it shall be our aim to do our duty to the best of our ability, and thus deserve your future approbation and confidence. ”

“ The first organiser continued his work during 1888, and the appointment being renewed, he went on during 1889 and into 1890. In May of the latter year he was suspended after visits to Southampton and Salisbury had been reported by local members. Mr. ”