Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/172

 of 1905, in which the driver, Barnshaw, did not know the road, was seized upon by the "Railway Review" as an occasion for a very sharp attack on Mr. Fox in relation to circumstances attending the Inquiry. Competition had reached a battling point, and there were no bouquets between Mr. Bell and Mr. Fox. I want to touch lightly rather than labour some of the episodes, for time heals much, and no good service can be done by embitterment over the past. I notice that J. H. Thomas, of 32, Broad Street, Swindon, comes on the scene as a delegate to a conference under Clause D of the Federation Scheme in January of 1905.

In April of that year the Executive sat for several days, an unusual feature then, to consider a National Programme for Enginemen, and on two days there sat a national conference of delegates at the People's Hall, Leeds, to ratify that programme. It was not an ordinary delegate meeting of the Society, but a gathering representing all enginemen, the first of its kind, and, said the Executive Report, "the importance of such a meeting cannot be over-estimated." In many respects the year 1905 made an indelible impression upon the Society, and looking back upon it now, the chief event was probably the Conference mentioned, and the adoption of the uniform National Programme. It was not made effective in the sense of being presented by the Executive to all companies, but its true importance lay in the fact of the adoption of the principle of a national programme for all enginemen. That is why the Conference in the People's Hall, Leeds, must always find its place in history. It laid the foundation for advance in 1907 and later years.

The London District Railway was being electrified, and questions regarding motormen caused another acute passage between Messrs. Bell and Fox. Together, for the first time, they met a Board of Directors, but, it is recorded, "Mr. Bell did not in any way support Mr. Fox, either in the Board-room or elsewhere, in his endeavour to retain two men in the motor cab. For this Mr. Bell must take the responsibility." Mr. Keir Hardie raised the matter in the House of Commons, and a protest was sent to the Board of Trade