John R. Raynes

“ The Executive, at a meeting on November 8th, discussed matters connected with the railway crisis, and endorsed the action of its representatives in signing the agreement, "and desire to place on record our appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Lloyd George in bringing about a settlement amongst the railway workers. We recommend the members to give the settlement a fair trial."
Members were also urged to avail themselves of every possible opportunity to take full advantage of the Conciliation scheme, with a view to getting improved conditions for locomotive men generally. ”

“ For that offence he was instantly dismissed by the Executive, and then he seems to have had the encouragement of the A.S.R.S. to attack the Society. The action entered by Geo. Moore, M. J. Dickinson, and others of the Executive against Mr. Millman was heard in the King's Bench Division, November 2nd to 8th, 1909, by Mr. Justice Grantham and a special jury. They found that the charge made by the defendant was not true, that the circular issued was a libel, and that it was issued with malice, not with any sense of duty, but with a direct motive to injure the other Society. ”

“ Fox on the platform at Gloucester and several other centres in England and Scotland. The organisers, too, were busy, and the Society's firm attitude had many able advocates.
In the middle of the crisis, on October 15th, in the same week as the Euston Theatre mass meeting, came the Shrewsbury disaster, in which a London & North Western train from Crewe approached Shrewsbury station at a high rate of speed instead of stopping, passed the signals at danger, and entered a sharp curve. ”

“ The movements of the year were in regard to eyesight and medical tests, a deputation to the Board of Trade having the support of Mr. Secker Walker, the eyesight specialist, who had testified to the value of corrective lenses for men on the footplate, both for security, protection, and comfort. ”

“ Looking back now, it seems unfortunate that many members of the A.S.R.S. were deliberately taught to regard. A.S.L.E. & F. members as "blacklegs," and yet such slander must have been generally disbelieved, for the Society grew apace on such statements. Forty-one new branches were opened in that year, and the membership increased by 3,503. The Federation scheme was never properly observed, and, said Mr. Fox, "It is not even understood by those who intend to have amalgamation." Mr. Geo. Moore, who had been elected President of the Society in January, accompanied Mr. ”

“ Every effort was made to give the visitors close attention and a happy time. Fennell, who was an honorary member of the Society, frequently contributed to the "Journal" until his death in 1917.
Mr. J. Bromley was elected Chairman of the Conference in question, and Mr. Geo. Moore, as Chairman of the Executive, welcomed the visitors. The other executive members at the time were Messrs. ”