5TH JANUARY 1906
NEWHAVEN
The annual meeting was held on 31st ultimatum., when the election of officers took place. Bro. J. Browning was appointed chairman. Bro. Funnel taking his place on the committee. A very hearty vote of thanks was given Bro. Funnell for his services in the chair during the past six years. The whole of the other officers were re-elected. A resolution was passed asking members to use their utmost endeavours to return Mr. H. Beaumont at the top of the poll at the coming election, the member having consistently voted against the interest of railwaymen. A committee was elected to arrange a smoking concert.
2ND FEBRUARY 1906
BRIGHTON No.1
extracted from branch report
The usual monthly meeting was held on Sunday event last, with a fair attendance. The usual routine business was disposed of: it was resolved to have a smoking concert at the clubhouse on 24th instead of. at 7.30 p.m., to present Bro. Love, loco. inspector, with his superannuation grant. Members please note?
Mr. Gill was nominated for the T.U.C. Mr. Austin, engine driver, was nominated for the Annual General Meeting
9TH FEBRUARY 1906
BATTERSEA
A social gathering was held at the Battersea Branch at 8.30 p.m. on 2nd inst. to do honour to one of its old members, who after 51 years of railway work and 33 years' membership in the A.S.R.S., was retiring from the service of the L.B. & S.C. Bro. J. Storkey presided, supported by Bro. H.G. Manning in the vice chair. Mr. Bert Harvey, ably assisted during the evening by Mr. Frank Austin accompanied the various artistes with the piano.
During an interval Mr. James Williams financial and assistant general secretary of A.S.R.S., gave an address, and presented Bro. James Every with a cheque of £30 being the superannuation grant from the society. In the address Mr. Williams traced the history of our society from its inception, with emphasised the value of such men as the one we were doing honour to on this occasion is sticking to their principles of brotherhood in such years as 1881 when the society was at a low ebb, and by the propagation of these principles had raised the society to its present position in membership, and its influence for good. Mr. Williams further emphasised he many benefits of the society, and appealed to the non society man to embrace the brotherhood. He also appealed for a closer unity among the organised ranks of the railway service by the sinking of all gradeism.
Bro. F.C. Fagg (branch secretary) moved that a hearty vote of thanks be seconded Mr. Williams for his splendid address, which was seconded by Mr. W. Ellis (a former secretary of the branch) in a. few appropriate remarks, and supported by Bro. E. McKew and others. The vote of thanks was carried with musical honours and cheers. The crowded room then settled down to harmony, and enjoyed themselves up to midnight. Bro. J. Every thanked the members and friends for the honour done him on such an occasion, and he was accorded musical honours. Among those who contributed to the programme were Bros. C. Skinner, C. Moore, A. collins, J. Poll, F. Stiff, G. Heath, H. Stibbings, B. Wicks, F.C. Fagg, J. Timson, J. Taylor, E. McKew, F. Alden, A.H. Todman, E. Hart, H. Stebbings, and H. Storkey. The members so enjoyed themselves that they were asking when the next social be held, and were told on Good Friday.
2ND MARCH 1906
Lord Cottesloe, at the half yearly meeting of the London, Brighton, and South Coast, gave an interesting account of the experiments in the overhead system of electric traction for a portion of the suburban lines:-
The system had been improved, with the result that they were so satisfied as to its reliability that instead of equipping only a short section of the South London Line as a preliminary experiment, they felt justified in dealing with the whole of the line from London Bridge to Victoria. They were in active negotiation for a contract with the Electric Company of Berlin, and they would require that with the exception of the motors for the first set of eight trains, the whole go the plant should be of British Manufacture.
Dealing with the accounts, Lord Cottesloe said that although the half yearly showed only a slight increase in gross receipts the results compared favourably with the corresponding period of the previous year. The receipts from passenger traffic showed a decrease of £4,124, the greatest falling off being in the second class. There was a total decrease in passenger of nearly half a million, being largely the effect of tramway competition on the suburban traffic. The decrease in the number of passengers carried in the half year ending June last was over 2,000,000, and for the half year ending December 1904, very nearly 2,000,000. The competition, therefore, although still keen, was not now having the effect which with it first had.
The average fare paid was still increasing, and showed the desirability of improving the long distance service to meet the requirements of those who were driven further from the metropolis by the overcrowding the congestion caused by the tramways. The railway motor service were most encouraging, and they would extend them where advisable.
4TH MAY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
A resolution strongly protesting against punishment of men by suspension, and reduction of wages for making smoke which it is absolutely impossible to avoid, with the coal supplied and the construction and condition of the engines with insufficient blowers on the L.B.&S.C.R., was carried unanimously.
18TH MAY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
Letters from our solicitors and Mr. R. Bell enclosing cheque for which the L.B.&S.C. had paid in settlement of the claim of our Bro. F. Day. Bro. F. Day was one of the those who contracted out of the Workmen's Compensation Act by joining the L.B.&S.C. Railway Insurance. He had the misfortune to meet with two accidents at different times, and received payment under the insurance policy, but although able to return to work he still suffered from the effects of the accidents. The company some time after requested him to retire from the service, and informed him that he would be granted a certain sum per annum as pension under the ill health clause of the pension fund. After retiring they declined to pay his pension until he gave up his insurance policy, which upon the advice of the A.S.R.S. he declined to do, with the result that our solicitors were instructed to take the case up to recover the pension. The company then soon paid the several months' arrears, and the monthly payments when due. Claim was then made under the insurance policy, and the company offered £30 in settlement which was refused; they then offered £50, and after counsel's opinion was taken this was refused, and proceedings commenced in the High Court, and the company then ask what was the lowest sum our member would take in settlement, and were promptly told £100, which they then agreed to pay, thus closing another case, which goes to disprove the statements of the companies that these pension insurance, and sick benefit funds are established for the benefit of the workmen.
Letters read re loco. men's grievances on the L.B.&S.C. adjourned until next week.
Notice of motion was given re the dangerous working of a train on the L.B.&S.C.
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NEW CROSS
extracted from branch report
The usual meeting was held on the 10th instead of., with a fair attendance. Two cases of loco men suspended were dealt with and the grants made.
A letter was received from our Battersea friends re this matter, and it was resolved to deal with it at our monthly meeting 27th inst., when it is hoped that loco. men will rally up and assist in coming to some arrangement.
25TH MAY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
Letters read from Mr. J.J. Brewer (secretary L.B.&S.C.) acknowledging receipt of letter to Lord Cottesloe, and from Mr. D.E. Marsh, locomotive engineer, also from Hastings Branch re the punishment of men by reduction in wages and suspension for making smoke with engines. Discussion took place, the men considering the reply very unsatisfactory, and adjourned the discussion until next week, when it was hoped a reply from the general manager would be to hand (now to hand).
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NEW CROSS
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting was held on the 17th instead of. Our Purley friends wrote us with reference to enginemen at Stoat's Nest being booked to wash out on Sundays and only receiving half a day's pay. The opinion of old and experienced drivers present was that it was a direct violation of the circular issued by the late Mr. Billington.
ROYAL TRAIN AT SINGLETON
1ST JUNE 1906
NEWHAVEN
Extracted from branch report
Purley letter discussed, when it was discussed, when it was reported that two engines had always been washed out here under the system.
Battersea letter re punishment of enginemen discussed and following resolution carried: "That seeing this question affects the whole body of locomotive men on the Brighton system we consider it would be ably dealt with by a conference of delegates from the various branches concerned, who should be empowered to appoint a deputation to wait on the loco superintendent or others as the case may require."
8TH JUNE 1906
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Extracted from branch report
Correspondence from Battersea re the punishment of locomotivemen by suspension and reduction in wages for making smoke. Decided to support Battersea, but this branch is of opinion that the same would be better dealt with by a general movement of all branches in organising a conference and electing a deputation to lay their case before the board of directors.
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THE LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST
PENSION FUND
In 1899 the London, Brighton, and South Coast obtain powers to establish a pension fund for their staff. This fund was grafted on to the old superannuation fund, but while it was compulsory for "salaried" employees it was optional for men working for weekly wages. When it was formed at the beginning of 1900 the staff were given the option of joining and making the back payments, and no doubt some did so. A further circular has just been issued to all the men employed, which is open to a good deal of misconstruction. Each man has received a circular dated May 31st setting forth the terms under which he may become a member of the fund, and also giving the lump sum necessary to make up the back payments, together with amount of future contributions. The circular also gives the men plainly to understand that if they do not accept this offer June 30th their chance of obtaining anything from the company when old age comes will be gone entirely. The net effect of this circular is naturally to cause a good deal of apprehension amongst the men employed. Some of them regard it as a threat of dismissal, and an attempt at coercion -- although the express terms of the Act are that membership shall be optional. While others point out the hardship entailed in the scheme of back payments. We do not think the idea is to intimidate -- although, frankly, the circular is well calculated to have that effect -- nor do we apprehend any serious consequences from the refusal to join the fund. It is no doubt, a bit of official bluff which are peculiarly trying and hard. To ask a porter at 12s. a week to join a pension fund, or a married man with a wife and two children, paying 6s. per week rent, and earning a £1 per week, to pay a lump sum of £6 to entitle hime to a problematical pension is just a little bit hard on human nature. Why cannot the company word these things differently?
ROYAL TRAIN DEPARTS
MIDHURST
WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE 1906.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
B4 Class 4-4-0 No. 42 "His Majesty" about to leave Midhurst LBSCR Station after King Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra opened the Tuberculosis Sanatorium and departing at 6.00pm.
15TH JUNE 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
Bro. F. Day received his £20 cheque, the disablement grant of the society. The chairman, in handling him his cheque, made a few appropriate remarks in recent settlement of Bro. Day's case with the L.B.&S.C., in which the company paid our member £100, which in no way affects his pension, which is now being paid regularly when due. Several other members present expressed their best wishes for future welfare of Bro. Day, who, in reply, thanked the members of the branch, the secretary, and society generally for their efforts on his behalf, and advised all railwaymen to not only join the A.S.R.S., but remain members.
The question of L.B.&S.C. loco men's grievance of punishments for making smoke was again discussed, with some fresh correspondence, and stands adjourned.
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NEW CROSS
The weekly meeting was held on the 7th inst., with a fair attendance.
The letter from our Battersea friends re punishment meted out to loco. men for causing smoke was again read, when it was resolved that whilst willing to support any movement having for its object a curtailment of fines, etc., this branch is of opinion that the matter would be better dealt with by a general movement of all branches on the L.B.&S.C. system in organising a conference and electing a deputation to lay the case before the board of directors.
6TH JULY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 29th ult.
Correspondence from other branches re L.B.&S.C. loco. men's punishments for making smoke was dealt with, and secretary instructed to again write to Mr. Marsh upon the subject and to point out that another driver had been severely burnt owing to the want of an efficient blower.
13TH JULY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 6th inst.
Further discussion re L.B.&S.C. and smoke nuisance and punishments. Another driver has had his wages reduced for making some, and the engine blower being practically useless. Further reply from Mr. Marsh will be before next meeting, when all loco. men should attend.
20TH JULY 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 13th inst.
Letter from Mr. D.E. Marsh, locomotive and carriage engineer. L.B.&S.C., re smoke and blowers was read, and also correspondence from Brighton No.1 Branch. The secretary was unsatisfactory, and suggesting that a practical man be sent to ride on the footplate of the engines when they are working trains, to have a practical test of the blowers. A number of the enginemen present testified to the conditions being far different when an engine blower was tested at a loco. depot under very favourable conditions, and working trains.
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NEW CROSS
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 12th, with a fair attendance.
Further correspondence received respecting punishments in loco department, L.B.&S.C. All loco. members are requested to attend next monthly meeting on the 29th instead.
3RD AUGUST 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 27th ult.
The question of smoke nuisance of L.B.&S.C and the inefficient blowers was again before the meeting. It was stated that yet another driver had been burnt, his trousers burnt off through the inefficiency of the blower, and notice of motion given for next meeting.
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NEW CROSS
Extracted from branch report
The monthly meeting held on Sunday last, with a fair attendance.
The letter from Battersea Branch re punishments to loco. men for causing smoke was again read, and as there is a bad attendance of enginemen at meeting we are unable to deal further in the matter, and the of other grades see no reason to alter previous decision of June 7th.
10TH AUGUST 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 3rd inst.
The question of punishment inflicted on loco. men on the L.B.S.C. and the impossibility to avoid creating smoke with the coal supplied with the ineffective lowers was again discussed, some S.E.&C.D. men testifying to the impossibility of the task to always being able even with good blowers to clear the smoke when using the class of coal supplied the L.B.&S.C. men. A resolution was carried unanimously instructing the secretary to again write to Mr. marsh and repeat our members' request that a practical man ride on the engines and test the blowers when working trains, and especially with there specific engines, the numbers to be given.
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PROPAGANDA MEETING
BATTERSEA
AN EIGHT HOUR DAY
A mass meeting of all grades was held in Battersea Park on 29th ult. Mr. W. Melville president of the Battersea Trades and Labour Council, presided, and after a few opening remarks, in which he mentioned that the organised railwaymen in this district had consistently supported the Trade and Labour Council of Battersea from its inception, and it was the desire of the many organisations affiliated to that body to do all in their power to assist the railwaymen in any efforts they may make to strengthen their organisation and improve their conditions of employment. He then called upon a member of the A.S.R.S. to move the resolution:
"That this mass meeting of railwaymen express its entire dissatisfaction with the general conditions of labour brought about through the economic changes in the management of the railways, and is firmly convinced that to relieve the present physical and mental strain we are entitled to an eight hour day and a revision of our conditions generally. And being firmly of opinion that this can only be obtained by combination, we hereby call upon all non members at once to enrol themselves in the A.S.R.S. and support the railwaymen's national movement of all grades."
The mover instanced the many changed conditions in the grades, such as the loco. men and their big engines, devouring more coal and hauling double loads of 20 years ago. Guards with longer trains and many single handed. Signalmen with increased traffic faster expresses, and harassing reports. Platelayers with their heavier masses of steel rails and sleepers to carry the heavy trains, He also gave instances where by men had benefited by being members of the A.S.R.S. by obtaining that measure of justice which the non society men could not get from the powerful railway companies. The resolution was seconded by another member of the A.S.R.S., and then the chairman called upon Councillor W. Rines (Mayor of Battersea) to address the meeting which he did in a splendid manner. he mentioned that it was always left to the unionist and enthusiast to get the best conditions of employment, but he asked what would he (the enthusiast) be without a Trade Union? What if every man his own conditions with the companies? It would be very well for the directors and managers, but it would be the principle of the devil take the undermost. After instancing many upon the railways, which cause such physical and mental strain upon the men, he stated that friends in his own trade union from Australia who had visited this country advised him to go in for six hours a day here, as they themselves were enjoying an eight hour day; and it is always proved that work is better performed, and the output is greater with the shorter hours, and compensates the employer for the concessions made in the shortening the hours of labour. He mentioned the tendency for boy labour all up and down the country, and stated that it behaves us to do all in our power to stop this child labour, which competes with the men and women. There were at present 143,000 children under 14 years of age employed in defeating the objects of the men and women in their Trade Unions.
Alderman W. Sanders, L.C.C., then called attention to the need of organisation, and the railwaymen having for years passed their resolution in favour of nationalisation, that Mr. Rowntree and other in their investigations arrive at opinion that 23s. per week is the lowest a man, wife, and two children can live upon; but seeing there thousands of railwaymen not receiving 23s. per week was it to be expected, he asked, that they should be physically and mentally fit to perform their dangerous duties upon the railways.
Mr. J.H. Brown, secretary of the B.T. & L. Council, spoke and from another speaker the L.B.&S.C. came in for some condemnation as to their manner in which they are treating their locomotive men by exposing them to danger (giving instances of men being burnt) through the bad condition of the engine and the inefficiency of the blowers, and at the same time punishing the men by suspensions and reductions in wages for making smoke with the bad coal supplied. He claimed that the company did not mind paying a few hundreds of pounds in fines when prosecuted by the L.C.C. while they could get that out of the men and save thousands upon coal contracts. He also spoke of those who had the courage to try and obtain just conditions being victimised by officials.
The chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously. It is hoped that the membership of the branches in the neighbourhood will increase.
17TH AUGUST 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 10th inst.
The question of the L.B.&S.C. smoke nuisance, bad coal, and inefficient blowers was again brought forward and adjourned (pending a reply from the locomotive and carriage engineer) until next meeting.
24TH AUGUST 1906
The usual meeting held on the 17th inst.
Discussion of L.B.&S.C. loco men's punishments and smoke nuisance again adjourned.
31ST AUGUST 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 24th inst.
Letter from Mr. Marsh, L.B.&S.C., was read, which was considered unsatisfactory; it was decided to reply to the various questions raised in the letter.
The question of a member's punishment by reduction and the previous correspondence upon the matter was discussed, and the secretary instructed to write to Mr. Thompson upon the matter, with a view to our member being reinstated.
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TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Extracted from branch report
Ordinary meeting held on the 26th inst., with a good attendance. Several important items discussed, including the necessity of speed indicators on locomotives, so that a driver may know at what speed he is running.
7TH SEPTEMBER 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 31st ult.
London Council delegates gave a report. L.B.&S.C. smoke punishments, blowers, coal, and injuries to enginemen came in for discussion, and secretary instructed to ask Mr. Bell to gather certain information.
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NEW CROSS
extracted from branch report
The weekly meeting was held on the 30th ult., with a fair attendance.
Two cases of suspension to loco. men for running their train too fast through Mitcham Junction were dealt with.
14TH SEPTEMBER 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual meeting held on the 7th inst.
Correspondence from Mr. Marsh and Mr. Bell re L.B.&S.C. loco, men's grievances was read, and, after some discussion, stands adjourned until next meeting.
21ST SEPTEMBER 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The quarterly meeting held on the 14th inst.
No.1 sub-committee reported and recommended "that an open air meeting be held in Stewart's Road on 23rd instead. at 11 a.m., also another meeting be held two weeks afterwards in the small hall at Latchmere Baths," which was adopted. Every member off duty should be present.
A draft programme for discussion was put forward by the committee, and the whole adopted as suitable for the national all grades movement, viz.:
1, An eight hour day or 48 hour week, each day to stand by itself for the purpose calculating overtime.
2, A guaranteed week.
3, All men earning £1 per week and under to be increased 4s. per week, all earning £1 and up to 25s. per week a 12 1/2 per cent. increase, all earning 25s. and up to 30s. per week a 10 percent. increase, all over 30s. per week a 5 per cent. increase.
4, The minimum rate for overtime worked on weekdays to be time and a half.
5, Sunday duty to stand by itself and the minimum rate of pay to be time and a half, and all time over eight hours to be paid at the rate of double time.
It was decided to arrange a course of lectures for this winter.
The question smoke and blowers on the L.B.&S.C. again adjourned.
Secretary reported upon a case where a member had received notice to leave the service, and advice had been given the member, who has appealed to the locomotive engineer, and further discussion of the case was adjourned until next meeting.
19TH OCTOBER 1906
BATTERSEA
Extracted from branch report
The usual weekly meeting held on the 18th inst.
The open mass meeting at Latchmere Baths on the 17th instead. was reported a success, and members request more such meetings to be held. Expressions of sympathy made and instructed to convey same to Bro. T. Pocock, was taken ill upon his return from Cardiff. Secretary again instructed re L.B.&S.C. loco, men being burnt, and progress is still being Ade in this matter.
26TH OCTOBER 1906
NEW CROSS
Extracted from branch report
The weekly meeting held on the 18th inst., with a capital attendance.
The superannuation grant to our old friend E. Scott, late driver, L.B.&S.C. will take place, and the presentation by Bro. Robert Graham.
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NEWHAVEN
Extracted from branch report
The ordinary meeting held on 20th inst., when it was decided to forward the following resolution, to be put on agenda of all grades conference:
"That this conference of railwaymen of all grades emphatically protests against the working of heavy goods train with one guard, and also the working of motor trains with only one man in the cab, and calls on the Board of Trade to take steps to stop this practice."
2ND NOVEMBER 1906
NEW CROSS
Extracted from branch report
Monthly meeting held on the 28th ult.; very good attendance. Visitors from several branches represent.
Bro. E. Scott was presented with his disablement grant of £30. Bro. H. Holbrook making the presentation in the absence of Bro. Graham. We all hope Bro. Scott will enjoy the rest so well earned.
21ST DECEMBER 1906
BRIGHTON DRIVER &
A.S.R.S. BRIGHTON No.1 BRANCH SECRETARY
ALFRED GILL
PRESENTATION AT BRIGHTON
A special open meeting of the Brighton Branches was held on the 16th inst., and though a very wet one, the club room was full. The meeting was called to hear the delegate who attended the conference at Birmingham on the all grades question. Mr. Dobson was invited and present, also visitors from Newhaven, Lewes, and other centres. After the delegate's report and a very able address by Mr. Dobson the following resolution, was ably moved and seconded, was unanimously carried:
"That having heard the delegate's report re all grades movement, we pledge ourselves to use our best endeavours to make the movement a success."
Mr. Dobson was then asked to perform a very pleasing duty, viz., the presentation to the branch secretary, Mr. Gill, of a purse of gold, subscribed for by the members of the Brighton district as a mark of esteem and respect. Mr. Dobson said his connection with Mr. Gill dated back to the eighties and the fights of that time, when prominent Trade Unionists were marked men by the railway officials. He regarded his 25 years of branch secretaryship as a worthy record of any man. His sterling worth and straight forward actions were well known and the only regret he had was that owing to having so many irons in the fire he was unable to take part in the society's affairs as a member of the governing body, where his experience and knowledge would be of much value. Mr. J. Ingham also spoke of Mr. Gill as a townsman and his connection with the local bodies of the town, his qualities as a fighter, his work, as a friend in need. Several others paid their tribute, while letters were read from the previous old secretary and other past officers regretting their being unable to be present on such an occasion.
Mr. Gill, on rising to reply was very much moved by these expressions, and stated his first fight commenced in 1880, when the Employers' Liability Act was brought forward, and since that time he had been kept busy. He gave a short account of his connection with local matters, etc. He also said that such work was only possible where the wife at home was willing to be neglected and assisted in its performance. He could not leave his mate out. The greater credit was due to the wives. He was pleased to accept their very handsome gift and gratifying expressions, and failed to find suitable words to thank them.
The next meeting of the branch 30th inst. Member should make a special effort to be present and bring a "non" with them.
