We have seen how on the North Eastern, in 1865, a Drivers' and Firemen's Society was started. It began in spontaneous enthusiasm, but it abruptly ended for want of discretion. Far too soon, and without adequate reserves, it launched a strike for better conditions, and was broken up in the failure that resulted. The spirit was there, however, and in the following year, 1866, an Engine Drivers' and Fireman's United Society: was established, its objects being to assure friendly society benefits for its members. Later it fully realised that self pity and mutual help were not sufficient to move railway conditions, and it became much more militant in spirit than its rules indicated. Therefore, we have it on record that in both 1865 and 1866 it was the drivers and firemen who led the way towards organisation, and alter an interlude of 14 years came together again as leaders of the way, despite opposition, suppression and victimisation, under the banner of the Associated Society,
There were a quarter of a million men engaged on the railways when, in 1871, Mr. Michael Bass, M.P, for Derby, began to interest himself on behalf of the very ill-paid and heavily-worked railwaymen. His exertions resulted in the formation of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and he gave it an impetus by the disclosures at an inquiry which he set up into conditions of service. The hours especially were excessive, many cases of a90 hours week being reported, and twenty hours and more of continuous duty were often worked, In researching for purposes of this history, l came across many cases of a most depressing character. A driver was killed on Kentish Town Station for want of energy ta get out of the way of a light engine, and it transpired at the inquest that he was worn out by 23 hours of continuous work on the footplate. There was need, heaven knows, to end the slavery inflicted in Scotland, what time companies were returning seven per cent, interest on their inflated capital. I propose to discuss these appalling conditions more fully in a later chapter, as it is important, for our young members especially, to fully realise what railway service was, like in the half century 1850 to 1900.
