John R. Raynes

“ We have lost an officer we can ill afford to lose, one whose place will be difficult to fill, always engaged in the welfare of our Society and its members, in its highest and noblest sense. His dealings always above suspicion, his accounts always correct, a virtue in itself. ”

“ I extend to his family, on behalf of the Executive Council and the whole of our members, our sincere sympathy in this their irreparable loss, and trust they will be enabled to look to the Giver of all Good for solace in this great affliction. Truly indeed, God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. May we each so live as to be ready when the summons comes to us. ”

“ This Taff Vale judgment became an important incident in trade union history, and it was only put right in 1906 by an alteration of the law, which safeguarded the right to strike. The Society resolved that: "In the event of other railways ordering our members to do work on the Taff Vale, we are prepared to support such members as per rule if they refuse to do so. We may withdraw our members from any company which may enforce men to go on the Taff Vale." At the close of the strike the Executive complimented the General Secretary upon his prudence during the strike. ”

“ The Joint Committee shall elect a Chairman at the first meeting, the Chairman to be allowed to vote as an ordinary member of the Committee. The two General Secretaries shall act as Joint Secretaries, and shall not be allowed to vote.
Clause E.
Should a movement which has been sanctioned in accordance with Clauses A, B and C be unsuccessful in obtaining the conditions asked for, and if it is found necessary to further press the demands by a withdrawal of labour, then the Joint Committee shall be summoned together, and the whole of the facts and circumstances placed before them ”

“ All the Societies at that conference were agreed upon enforcing their demand for recognition by the railway companies. A resolution was carried embodying the principle of Federation of all railway trade unions, and a committee of two members from each Society was elected to draw up a scheme. ”

“ A combined meeting of the Executives must be held once in every twelve months, to discuss and decide on the policy to be pursued on points both labour and political, and members of both Societies shall be at liberty, on production of Branch Cards, to enter either Branch-room in any town, and to take part in any discussion appertaining to labour or politics. ”

“ The total calls of branches on Head Office in that epidemic were £312. A plebiscite of members was taken on the proposed appointment of an Organising Secretary, and the votes recorded were: For 2,171, against 230. The votes of one branch (Neath) were disqualified because they were all filled up by one person. As the vote was regarded as insufficient, it was resolved to take no further steps until the next Conference.
The year 1901 brought a notable and serious loss to the Society in the death of its first effective General Secretary. ”

“ On the third vote Mr. Parfitt received 38 votes, against Mr. Millman's 25, Mr. Parfitt, it might be added, being President of the Conference for the second time. The delegates widened the rules to admit cleaners and electric trainmen, on a resolution moved by Swansea. It was the same branch which moved an alteration to Rule 2, to add levies to contributions, and to add the words:—
"And by representation in the House of Commons, to be paid for by levy, not exceeding 1s. per member per annum, and from the Protection Fund." ”

“ Footplate men were seeking other work at 5s, a week less wages because the chances of promotion became so remote. The Railway Nationalisation League, as it was then called, was active in advocating State railways, and in America the big private companies had so standardised parts that they were building locomotives in the massed style which they applied to sewing machines. ”

“ The Twentieth Century—A Veteran's Visit—American Engines—Death of Mr. Sunter—A Notable Loss—Mr. Fox Elected General Secretary—The Important Year 1903—Mr. Parfitt Appointed Organiser—Centralisation of Funds—Labour Representation—The Federation Scheme—Its History. ”