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/203

 and there the totally wrecked train burst into flames, six coaches out of the eight being burnt down to the frames. Of the dozen or more people killed at the time, or dying subsequently, this fire was responsible for several.

In the autumn of 1911 came the Irish Railway Strike, very ably handled by Mr. John Drummond, as acting Secretary for the E.C., he having preceded them on September 19th to Dublin. The Committee placed on record their very high appreciation of his services. Early in 1912 came the closing of accounts for the national strike in August, the Society's portion of expenditure being £2,561. The sympathetic strike became a serious issue in 1912, owing to the national coal strike, and the use of the railways for the conveyance of blackleg labour and troops to defeat the miners. The Executive met specially to consider this matter, and advised members not to refuse to work soldiers or coal traffic, and expressed strong opposition to the sympathetic strike. In a circular to branches, Mr. Fox wrote:-

"'It is impossible to sanction the participation of our members in any strike that is not directly connected with their employment. We do not associate ourselves with the principle of the sympathetic strike, for it would mean that our members were involved in all industrial disputes.'"

Mr. Fox had also a message on the increasing expenses charged to the Society for various work done by members. He had worked as a fireman at 3s. a day, and said:-

"'I speak now as one of those who has worked and paid towards building up our Society to its present splendid position. I speak as one of those who has been responsible for opening branches and bringing hundreds of members into our organisation. I did it out of the interest I had in the members, and that alone, for I did not so much as charge even railway fare or anything else, to say nothing about days off to enable me to do it.'"

Mr. W. Stevenson, of Slades Green, had come on to the Executive as North London representative in October of 1911, Mr. W. W.