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/248

 sales increased by over 2,000 copies, and all round there were signs of a great awakening. If the object of issuing a writ for libel had been damage to the Society, it signally missed its aim, for the case of 1917 proved an impetus to a movement that has continued ever since.

Trade Union activities were very great, including the eight hour movement, and the laying of the case for locomotive workers before the Committee on Production. That ably presented case was the means of increasing the war wage by 6s. weekly to men over 18, and 3s. to those under 18. Taken generally, the year was one without precedent in the history of the Society, making a great advance in its prestige and strength. Taking first a casual view of the year, we find war expenditure gradually rising from five millions per day to six millions, and later to seven. The cost of living on February 1st of 1917 was 89 per cent. higher than in 1914, and by July 1st it was 109 per cent. higher. The American Congress had passed an Eight Hours Act for railwaymen. The Russian Revolution, in February, was followed by the entry of America into the War against the Central Powers. Before the year had ended our members were driving many train loads of American troops across the country to take their places in France.

The N.U.R. had brought along a new and distinctly selfish Conciliation Scheme, an attempt to monopolise all Boards by their nominees, a very disappointing departure from what is supposed to be trade union loyalty and comradeship. We did not allow the attempt to succeed, but that does not alter the fact of the attempt being made. Many of our branches were sustaining sad war losses, and all were grieved to learn that on April 9th Mr. Geo. Moore's younger son Clifford, a lieutenant of the Seaforth Highlanders, aged 20 years, was killed in the great advance movement. There was grief in the news of every day, and grief in the effects of a terrible "influenza" scourge, which spread like a plague and killed more people in its passing than did five years of awful war. Truly "The Last Post" was sounding in every town, and there was much depression. When the A.A.D. assembled in