Such, briefly stated, was the first Conciliation Scheme, and it should also be stated of the year 1907 that the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1906 came into operation on July 1st.
The Executive, at a meeting on November 8th, discussed matters connected with the railway crisis, and endorsed the action of its representatives in signing the agreement, "and desire to place on record our appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Lloyd George in bringing about a settlement amongst the railway workers. We recommend the members to give the settlement a fair trial."
Members were also urged to avail themselves of every possible opportunity to take full advantage of the Conciliation scheme, with a view to getting improved conditions for locomotive men generally. This they did, and quite a series of company and locomotive grade movements began. So much so that the 1908 Report says: "All branches have been busy with the National Programme and the so-called Conciliation Boards. Your General Secretary accepted on your behalf the scheme, but we are glad it is not of our manufacture, for a better name for it would be the Confiscation Board. We are pleased, however, that the G.W. and G.C. men have obtained considerable improvements. Other companies have also been somewhat successful, but we believe that the locomotive men's salvation lies in minding their own business, and dealing with employers direct, and that a wide berth for the Conciliation Scheme is the best advice we can give." These Boards, and the National Programme movement, proved very expensive, so that the sums spent by the Society in 1908 totalled £21,957. Amalgamation was completed with the Scottish Drivers' and Firemen's Friendly Society, which brought over funds of £3,628. At the Convention of the American Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, held at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in September of 1906. Mr. Fox had been elected an honorary member of that organisation, after friendly correspondence, and an invitation was conveyed to him to attend the next Biennial Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on September 14th of 1908. Mr. Fox was authorised to accept this invitation, and he went on that historic liner the
