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/97

 executive to pay these expenses out of their own pocket, as they have now to resign."

In its first days the Society paid 30s, as contribution to the Trade Union Congress, but in 1886 it sent £10, and asked the committee to forward all possible information upon the Engineers' Certificate Bill. This was a Bill designed to forbid any but experienced and trained men handling locomotives and steam boilers. The examination systems imposed by companies caused a renewed demand for model engines to assist young members, and in 1887 a deputation of three members of the Executive was appointed to wait upon engineering firms to secure the necessary models. A sum of £100 was set apart for this purpose, but they took a lot of getting. It is easy to buy enormously costly toys for children, and miniatures of everything, from motor cars to perambulators, but it was not easy to get correct models of locomotives to instruct the future generation of drivers and firemen.

In 1887 the Executive got an advance in wages, two shillings instead of 1s, for their long meetings. They left over the question of a branch pass-word for future consideration. They decided to invite designs for a Society Emblem, and that the first engineman and fireman be shown on this emblem, subject to their approval."

In that year, too, it was "proposed by John Watkinson and seconded by G. W. Storey, that we have a Society Journal, to be issued quarterly, and that we order 1,000 copies for the first issue, and canvass for advertisments." Another interesting decision was That we have 300 medals the size and thickness of a shilling, sterling silver," and a contract was accepted for these at ls. 9d, each. A sub-committee was appointed to go into the "Journal " question, and it was further decided:—

"'That we accept the Emblem known as No. 2, and that we congratulate Mr. Harker, Bristol; Mr. Horton, Plymouth; and Mr. Williams, London; for their designs sent. That 1,500 copies of the emblem be ordered, to be produced at the earliest convenience.'"