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/88

 should be a worthy centre of that spirit. They had paid back to members scores of fines for paltry faults on duty, and had paid wages and half wages in numberless cases of suspension. The Society was growing and being talked about, and a leader of men was needed as the central pivot.

At a special meeting held on July 15th the Secretary was instructed to wait upon the Chief Constable to ask permission to hold an executive during the whole day on Sunday. July 15th, at the Commercial Inn. Permission was given, and the meeting was continued from 9.30 a.m, to 9.20 p.m., "going through rules and suggesting alterations for consideration of delegate meeting in September." On September 2nd, a Mr. Banning declared that the General Secretary was paid too much by one half. It was decided in November of 1883 that the General Secretary take steps to bring about an amalgamation between this Society and the old Enginemen & Firemen's Society. A ruling was laid down that all letters on Society business be copied, and that all correspondence be read at the executive meetings by Mr. Webb. On April 6th of 1884 Messrs. Ford and Warren were appointed solicitors to the Society, and thus began an association which has been most honourably conducted to mutual advantage ever since. On May 4th of 1884 a hammer was bought for the chairman's use, and this hammer, after over 36 years' use at important meetings during those changing times, was presented to Mr. W. A. Stephenson, the retiring president, in November of 1920.

In June of 1884, after the payment of large numbers of fine and suspension costs to members working on the M.S. & L., it was resolved "That the Secretary write the members of the Sheffield branch respecting the general disregard of the Company's rules and signals by the members of this Society belonging to the Manchester. Sheffield & Lincoln Railway, and trust that, in the interests of the Society and their own future welfare, they will pay more respect to these rules, which have been framed by the Company for their guidance, as there is about 75 per cent, more of these misfortunes happen amongst members of the M.S. & L, than any other