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/347



HE year 1920 was probably quite as heavy for the Executive Committee as the year 1919. They had long and tiring sittings, sometimes of eight weeks continuously, and the subjects which occupied their attention were of a wonderfully varied character. Early in the year they visited Ireland, to act in respect to Irish railway conditions, and the attempt to exclude the narrow gauge line locomen from the full wage rates. Mr. Bromley successfully argued the companies out of that position, and the Irish locomotivemen were highly gratified with the victory secured on their behalf, especially as the award dated back to August 15th, 1919,

For various reasons Ireland was continuously in the picture. On July 8th Mr. Bromley and Mr. Stevenson visited as fraternal delegates the A.G.M. of the N.U.R., assembled in Belfast, as a complimentary return of the unique feature at the A.A.D. of the Society in May, when Messrs. Thomas and Cramp were most cordially received at Leeds. This exchange of visits, following on the united action of 1919, displayed possibilities of far greater strength by united action on many national matters, and it would be to the undoubted advantage of both societies to arrive at a complete