Engines and Men/Synopsis

by John R. Raynes

Chapter I

The Early Days of Railways—The First Locomotives—a Link Between Stephenson and the A.S.L.E. & F.—Stephenson's Success

1

Chapter II

Rapid Developments—the Railway Companies—Speed and Efficiency—The Railway Mania—War of Companies—An Engine Arrested—Bad Conditions of Service—North Eastern Drivers—The First Societies

14

Chapter III

Our Society—The A.S.R.S. and the Strike—The Change in 1880—Victimisation and Revolt—A Famous Letter—The First Branches First Executive Meetings—Strike and Victimisation Pay

25

Chapter IV

Launching Out Drivers’ Need for Protection—The Tay Bridge Exposure—A Driver in Handcuffs—Severity of Companies—The Clarion Call—Help Yourselves

36

Chapter V

This Memorial Humbly Sheweth—The First Executive Council—Early Branch Members—Fines and Victimisation—A Rift Within the Lute—Thomas Sunter Becomes Secretary

49

Chapter VI

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

61

Chapter VII

Railway Accidents—Footboards, Subways, and Bridges—Ne Compensation— Exhaustion by Long Hours—Conditions of Slavery—A Sooth Eastern Programme—Scottish Drivers Victimised—Terrible Records

71

Chapter VIII

The Hexthorpe Disaster Trial—Taylor and Davies Acquitted—A Great Victory—Growth of the Society—North Eastern and Great Western Wage Movements—Advice Against Strikes—Messages from America—The L. & N.W. in 1890—New Rules of 1889.

80

Chapter IX

Wages and Engine Power—The Taff Vale Strike—Select Committee on Railway Workers' Hours—An Associated Programme—The Miners’ Strike of 1893—Fines and Suspensions—A Year of Testing

92

Chapter X

Mr. Parfitt's Recollections—The First Representative E.C.—The Society in London—Taft Vale Trouble—A Proud Position—England's Wealthiest Society—The Orphan Fund—Events of Jubilee Year—The Engineers’ Strike—Talk of Federation

103

Chapter XI

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

112

Chapter XII

Still Growing —The Loughor Inquiry —Coroners and Organisers—Friction with the A.S.R.S.—The 1907 Programme—Recognition Refused—Driver Webster Acquitted—The South Leeds Contests—Three Organisers —Salisbury and Grantham Disasters—A Rough Night at Barry—Driver Gourlay's Sentence

126

Chapter XIII

The Crisis of 1907—The Recognition Question—Mr. Bell's Attitude—The Shrewsbury Disaster—Conciliation Boards—Mr. Fox Visits America—~American Delegates to England—Brakes and Heavy Loads—A Libel Action— The Fourth Organiser—Mr. 

Moore Elected Assistant Secretary—The Osborne Judgment

138

Chapter XIV

"Confiscation" Boards—The First National Strike—Mr. Asquith's Threat—A Prompt Reply—Batons and Bayonets—The Royal Commission—Wages and Dividends—Two Railway disasters—The Sympathetic Strike—1912 Conference

147

Chapter XV

Illness of Mr. Fox—A "Daily Express" Canard—End of a Strennuous Life—A Difficult Time—Local Strikes in 1913 —The N.U.R.—Conciliation Again—Aisgill Disaster— The Eight Hours Ballot—Mr. Bromley Elected General Secretary—A New Era Opens

160

Chapter XVI

The Declaration of War—Wages and Prices—Partial Employment—The First Bonus—Profiteering—Members Enlisting—The "White Feather" Taunt—Mr. Mason's Election—A Writ for Libel—Another Bonus (October 1915)—A Trying Time (September 1916)—Members in Public Life}}

172

Chapter XVII

Food Control—Compulsory Military Service—The Man Power Bill—N.U.R, and Craft Unions—A Libel Action—War Time Problems—Demand for Railway Nationalisation—The Sliding Scale—Death of the President—Ministry of Labour}}

184

Chapter XVIII

The Year 1917—Growth of Activity—A Memorable Conference—Compulsory Enlistment—A National Crisis—Special Conference Summoned—Sir A. Stanley's Pledge—Its Redemption Secured—The Eight Howe Day A Triumph for the Society}}

195

Chapter XIX

1917 Conciliation Scheme—The National Programme—The Committee on Production—Another Advance—The Stream of War Traffic Tributes to Railway Workers— Women as Engine Cleaners—The Gretna Disaster—Presentation to Mr. Wride—District Councils—The Comb Out—Luxury Spending—Extra Food Allowance}}

208

Chapter XX

The One Union Movement—The April (1918) Wage Advance —Panel of Parliamentary Candidates—New and Increased Benefits—The District Councils at Work—The September Advance—The Strikes of 1918}}

220

Chapter XXI

A Boon to Members—Chafing Under the Truce—End of the War—The Improved National Programme—A General Election—London Traffic Agreement—-The Tube Strike—National Programme Presented—Story of Famous Negotiations

232

Chapter XXII

Change from War Conditions—The Coal Commission—The Ministry of Transport—Railway War Records—Society and the N.U.R.—Reinstatement on the G.N.R.—North Eastern Strike—Two New Organisers—Victimised Police—A Wage Agreement at Last

246

Chapter XXIII

Standardisation—A National Strike—Nine Days Wonder—Solidarity and Victory—Many Congratulations—Rapid Growth—Railway Control—The Ministry of Transport—Zonal System—Joint Control—The Society Promotes a Bill

263

Chapter XXIV

Irish Questions—~Fraternal Visitors—Eyesight Test—75,000 Members—Further Advances—Supervisory Members—The Miners' Strike—Marching Forward—The Best is yet to be

281

An Early Emblem of the Society, painted in water colours but never reproduced.