the strike did develop very few A.S.R.S, men came out, except at Gateshead. In April the companies declined to receive a deputation from the Society, and it was decided to ask the enginemen of each company to adopt the Society's programme and to present it by means of deputations. A letter to the A.S.R.S., suggesting joint action by all enginemen, led to a misunderstanding, and on April 9th a letter was sent to Mr. Harford saying: "Your Executive has misunderstood our letter. We never asked your Executive to consider the matter at all. We cannot allow anything which affects our interests as enginemen and firemen to be subject to approval by anyone other than enginemen and firemen themselves.. We have never asked your committee for joint action, but we shall be glad for the co-operation of enginemen and firemen to carry out our programme.
This letter related to a joint conference which had been held at Birmingham for the approval of the National Programme previously given. At the same Executive the following resolution was carried: "We, the Executive Council, desire to place on record our appreciation of the manner in which the General Secretary has conducted us through such an important epoch in the history of our Society by his forethought and tact, and trust that the result will be improved conditions for enginemen, firemen, and cleaners on the North Eastern Railway."
Later in the year came the great engineers' dispute, during which branches sent in proposals to grant any sum to the A.S.E. up to £1,000, to levy drivers 6d, weekly and firemen 3d. Mr. A. Fox moved, as a member of the Executive, that a grant of £1,000 be made to the A.S.E.," because the A.S.E. has always responded to appeals of kindred societies for help, and have been pioneers of nearly all reforms which have been gained by the workmen of the country."
It was further decided to offer a loan of £10,000 to the A.S.E. for three years, free of interest. An appeal was also issued to branches to levy themselves in support of the engineers during the lock-out. The one saving feature of the year was the passing of the Workmen's Compensation Act, which came into operation on
