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The Society and Compensation
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in addition to Mr. Bromley. It was resolved, in view of the urgency of political changes, to specially appeal to all members to pay the Parliamentary Levy, and to ask those already paying it to contribute an extra shilling that year to strengthen the position financially.

Mr. Cooke reported to the same meeting that his name was going forward to a nomination meeting at Crewe, and his candidature was endorsed for the division, Messrs. Wild and Oxlade representing the Society at the nomination meeting. Mr. Brownlie, of the A.S.E., was chosen at that meeting. Organisation arrangements were made for North East Leeds, and Mr. Gregory's candidature for Nuneaton received the official and hearty sanction of the Society.

Each month of each year brought and still brings its list of disputed compensation cases for negotiation, and some of those handled on behalf of members are of a very interesting character. I recall one in 1918, concerning a member who sustained frostbite in the ear whilst on duty. He subsequently developed erysipelas, and then became seriously ill from Bright's disease. The company flatly refused liability, and there was the difficult question of proving an association between the frostbite and Bright's disease. Two medical men were called into consultation, and they were of opinion that there was a connection between the two. The case was then pressed, and full compensation was paid. This case is only one lifted out of hundreds I have read, all showing how badly an individual might fare if it were not for the strength of this Society.

The unobtrusive but exceedingly valuable work of the auditors and trustees through all these years is worthy of all praise. They work out the return on investments and make sure that funds are soundly placed and for good return. Their names have constantly changed, but their duties have continually increased, and they have been performed with care and devotion.

In April of 1918 correspondence with the Secretary of the General Managers' Committee was considered, in which the E.C. was asked to draft its desired negotiating machinery into such form as to become an amendment to the Draft Conciliation Scheme. It was resolved:

"That Mr. Clower be informed that the intention of our