Dear Sir,—I see your correspondent, "Old Engineman," in your last issue, feels grieved that 

no one took up the question of the amalgamation of the two societies. I can assure him that as a member of both societies I should like to see so desirable a result attained. I may also state that I believe that there are hundreds of members of the old society who are of the same opinion. But I should like to state that there is still a large amount of prejudice against us in some men’s minds. They are of opinion that we wish to make yourselves rich at their 

expense. There would not be much difficulty in dispelling these prejudices if they would face the question with calm unbiassed minds. That the time will come I have not a doubt, and it is the interest of members of both societies that that the time should be hastened on when the amalgamation could be achieved. The question is asked, why amalgamate? There are many reasons, of which the following are a few :—

(1) It would reduce friction, and tend to join the men in a common brotherhood ; 

(2) We should be enabled through the old society to reach men whom it is not possible to 

reach now, because they hold aloof from us; 

(3) We could practise greater economy, as the management would be curtailed; 

(4) The old society would gain, from the fact that the branches would be increased, as the 

Associated has planted branches in districts where the old society has never reached. 

There are many others, but I think this will suffice for the present; what has been already 

stated, if the members will only take the matter up, and state their views on the subject and 

enlarge upon them, is quite sufficient to enable us to form an intelligent opinion on this 

important question. I would earnestly hope that this question may receive the earnest 

consideration of the members of both societies, and be met in the right spirit, actuated for the common good of all the members. One word to the old men; depend upon it the young men who are rising up at the present time are watching your action in this matter they, the 

majority, are fully alive to their own interests, and know if they are to rise to your position 

there must be a strong organisation, and they are looking to the Associated for succour and 

support.

As one who loves the old society, and full of hope for the newer one, allow me to sign myself, 

A Member of Both Societies

The Secretary of the Exeter branch writes : —The successes which have attended the 

Associated Society, in this its seventh year of existence, is most gratifying, and while with its 41 branches making itself felt as a strength to its members, it is also permeating a feeling of trust and hope outside its borders, which is a matter for thankfulness.

But granting this, and while it is opening wide its arms to young members to join its ranks 

like healthy walls of granite still to minds given to thought, the subject cannot be viewed by 

them otherwise then with mixed feelings. The reason is not far to seek, for with all its marked success, nothing  can make the Society be placed on a basis of absolute strength until the amalgamation of the two Societies take place.

In discussing this momentous question, I would do so with every consideration and courtesy 

due to those members of the old society who are opposed against the step being taken, well 

knowing how hard it is to break into old associations, the building up of which has been a 

matter of years of anxiety and care. But the question of seriousness and importance will thrust its head to the front, demanding an answer. Good as the old society has been in the past, is it keeping pace with the present times ? Let us calmly look well into things as we now find them ; in the first place there is an entire revolution taken place, in the railway world; shareholders were content with fair profits on their holdings years ago, 4 to 5 per cent, was then considered satisfactory. 

Now all is changed! To keep up the value of shares to 7 per cent. pressure is put on to reduce 

the expenditure of the working of the lines, which, of course, all know what that means. 

Look well into the Midland Railway strike, which like a dark cloud over shadowed those who took a manly part in it ; a strike of hopeful breasts fighting for honest rights, but without unity and organisation, and being crushed like a flower, bringing suffering and disaster to many of those noble fellows. In thinking over this painful subject what efforts could the old 'society put forward to protect its members? Of course, the answer will readily be given, ‘ We, as a society, have nothing to do with members working grievances and this shows that living in realistic times, not to grapple with the stern necessity as it stands, in surely cutting away the ground from our feet and feed ourselves on husks. The younger men coming up in our midst demand protection as a necessary part of the benefits of the Society they belong to, and in the case of the old members of the Steam Enginemen and Firemen Society, it might be well said that the child has become father to the man. There are, I know, many obstacles in the way of the amalgamation, one of which is the question of finance (which must be treated in a separate letter), which could be settled with dignity and justice to both societies. In conclusion, I do appeal to those fellow-members of the old society as a member myself of over twenty years standing to grapple with its problems, trusting that light and reason will in the end effect a powerful influence to its satisfactory solution.