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/276



ARLY in the year 1918 the One-union movement entered a new phase. Mr. J. E. Conlon, of the Neasden branch of this Society, had sent out a circular to branches strongly urging fusion of forces, and as it was headed with the title of this Society and the superscription of the Neasden branch, it had more attention than it deserved. The Neasden branch secretary got into touch with Head Office, and dissociated that branch from any knowledge of it. Actions of various kinds having been tried to secure fusion into the all-absorbing N.U.R., this was rather a subtle departure from some predecessors, but it met with the strongest objections from all parts of the country, and when the Neasden disclaimer became known there was indignation too. The position found its reflection in the 1918 A.A.D., which decided that Rule 9 should apply to all members of the Society who are members of the One-Union movement, or supporting such a movement. The rule in question debars any member of the Society, who is also a member of any other trade organisation, catering for railway locomotivemen, from occupying any salaried position, serving as a delegate, or occupying any other position in the Society.

That may seem a very poor topic to open a new chapter, but in fact it was a factor in the remarkable growth of membership that