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/247



HE year 1917 is only comparable to the year 1919 in the history of the Society. It was a year of great accomplishment, and of pathfinding for the whole movement of organised labour. Every day had its keen interest, and every month had its record full of importance. At the close of 1916 there were 2,678 members with the forces, and paying no contributions, but still the year had passed all previous financial records, and membership had risen to 34,039, with six new branches opened. The income during 1916 was £45,114, out of which £18,020 (again over 10s. per member) was added to capital funds, giving a total of £214,978, which, divided by membership, was the highest figure on record for any society in the world. The Thirty-seventh Annual Report, covering 1917, and issued in May of 1918, showed total founds of £230,428, a gain 'on the year of £15,449, exceptionally fine in view of the fact that every requisite was at double prices. There were 3,014 members 'on active service at the close of 1917, out of a total of 36,704, or nearly ten per cent, of the Society. The increase of members during the year was 2,665, with nine new branches opened. The value per member was £6 7s. 2d., in spite of the rapid growth of figures, and few societies could touch such a proportion. The regular "Journal"