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/74

all Railways throughout the country, the adoption of modern improvements for the general safe working of our railways, with a limit to the speed of trains, which is of as much importance and well being to the public and the shareholders as it is to ourselves.

We have no desire to become dictators to our employers or their representatives, and whilst we will endeavour to assist them in all economical reforms and workings, we shall at least expect fair treatment and just pay for our anxious and dangerous duties.

We have left our Rules open for modification at any future period; and whilst endeavouring to protect our Members against all injustice, we have taken equal care to protect the representatives of our employers from the insults of any foolish or ignorant Members, being satisfied that all should live as far as possible peaceably together, each man doing his duty fairly and honestly, then the public and our employers will be better served, and each man will perform his duty more cheerfully.

We ask you again, the Enginemen and Firemen of this great country, one and all to assist us in carrying out our programme by joining this Society.

The Rules have been framed by Enginemen and Firemen especially for your interests, the Executive duties are performed by men of your own class, your officials are and will continue to be elected from amongst you, they are your servants, the General Secretary is an Engineman of long and practical experience, who knows full well the nature of your responsibility and anxious duties, and who has been elected by his fellow-men to take the management of their affairs.

The interests of the Society and its members will be carefully looked over by a firm of respectable and eminent lawyers, and all that human forethought can devise will be done to ameliorate your condition and conduct the business of this Society on an honourable and sound basis.

A few words to our friends, the members of the "Old Engine-