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The Official Organ of the Victorian Division of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen. Registered at G.P.O., Melbourne, for transmission by Post as a Newspaper. MARCH - APRIL, 1934

Vol. 17; No. 3. MELBOURNE, APRIL 5, 1934. Price, 2/- Per Annum, Post Free

THE L ® 00 TREAT RE Cleanliness Comfort Good Orchestra Perfect Pictures

Our Programs may be equalled but Cannot be Beaten

UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL UNIONISTS, you know what the above means. Whether you are in the Railways Service or any other calling, UNIONISM and all it stands for de- serves your UNITED SUPPORT. If you do not give it, then you are help- ing the other side and all it stands for, i.e., Cheap Labour and Sweated Conditions. The Theatrical Em- ployees' Association have fought hard in the Arbitration Court for what it has got; help them to keep it. Never in the history of Australia has the necessity for Unity been greater. So pass the word to the boys and your families to Support The Loco. PROGRAMME CHANGED TWICE WEEKLY

Victoria Street, NORTH MELBOURNE 30 March–April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE April 5, 1934. The Footplate Ten Per Cent. Wage Cut "They are slaves who will not dare All wrongs to right, All rights to share." Application for Restoration (Continued from Feb.-March Issue.) generally demanded. Certain reduc- MANAGERIAL NOTES The case for restoration of the 10% tions were given on wool freights to "The Footplate" is published Wage Cut has been proceeding since meet the exigencies of the time, but monthly. 19th February before the full Arbi- any loss on these was guaranteed to tration Court, consisting of Chief be re-souped by the Government. All Branch Secretaries and Execu- Judge Dethridge, Judge Beeby and Mr. Brennan gave evidence as to tive Officers are empowered to act as Judge Drake-Brockman. the finances of the Victorian Railways. agents for this journal. Hand your Following on the case as laid down by In a written statement, he pointed out contributions, name and address to the principal advocates for the unions that the deficit for the current year them. We do the rest. —Messrs. Crofts, Munday and Clarey, was originally estimated at £445,808, the employer s' representatives— 'Phone: F-2235. but it hed been revised because of the Messrs. Mann, Grant and Myhill- returns up to the end of February, Literary.—To ensure publication continued the case on behalf of the and it was now £600,000. The amount contributions must be in not later employers. set aside to recoup losses on non-pay- than 19th of each month. Branch When the hearing was resumed on ing lines would be £126,000. The reports should be in the hands of 5th March, Mr. H. A. Pitt, Director losses due to reduction in freight Editor as soon as possible after the of Finance in Victoria, submitted a rates on agricultural produce, wool monthly meeting. Write on one side statement which showed that in and live stock (to be refunded by the of paper only. 1930-31 the deficit for Victoria was Government) was £345,000. Depreci- £2,454,000; in 1932, £1,608,000; in ation would take £480,000, or a total Subscribers should see that "The 1933, £841,000; and for 1934, it was real deficit of £1,551,000. Footplate" is sent to their private ad- estimated at £700,000. These dress, and not to Loco. Sheds. Sub- The revenue had slumped badly accumulated deficits would have in December, 1933, and in scribers will be held responsible for to be funded, and when funded would any failure of delivery due to change January, 1934, as compared with cor- cost about 1% more additional responding months of the previous of address. They should notify Postal interest for a total additional cost of authorities of any altered address, year. Tne drop in December was £70,000 per year. There was no pros- £104,000 and in January, £49,000. and forward same also to their pect of balancing the budget for a Branch Secretary. There had been a drop in December of few years. The pruning knife had 124,000 caused by a loss in the carri- been used very thoroughly and it age of wool and also a lower wool would be impossible to use it any clip. The loss in December and Janu- more. ary was due to a slow movement of Since 1927-28 the Government had wheat (which may be compensated JOIN THE added £700,000 extra taxation. He for later) and a , loss of passenger admitted that perhaps a little more traffic. Over capitalization was one Loco Self=Denial Fund could be squeezed out of the tax- of the troubles which was facing the payers, but there was a limit. He railways. The committee formed to NO ENTRANCE FEE. also stated that the taxation per head investigate the position had recom- in Victoria was lower than the average CONTRIBUTIONS 9d. WEEK mended that £28,000,000 should be of Australia, and is lower than other written off. BENEFITS £2/2/- Per Week States. Mr. Pitt also produced an exhibit Road competition was estimated to DEATH LEVY: showing the approximate cost to the be costing the railways about 1/- per Member upon the death of a Victorian Government if the 10% cut £1,500,000 less in passenger and Member; 6d. per Member upon the was restored. He showed that if the freight traffic per annum. Tney were death of a Member's wife. 10% cut were not operating in the hopeful of getting some relief from year 1933, the wages bill would have the new act. Over 800 Members have joined this been increased by £205,000, while for Mr. Carolan, continuing on behalf Fund. 1934 the difference would be £279,000. of the Victorian Railways, said every Mr. Carolan, on behalf of the Vic- channel had been explored for the Get a RULE BOOK on joining. torian Railways Commissioners, sub- reduction of costs and every endeav- mitted that the finances of the rail- our had been made to obtain as much DO IT NOW AND HELP ways had been brought before the revenue as possible. The case would YOURSELF. Court in 1931-32-33. When giving go to show that the relief which the evidence last year Mr. Brennan (Chief Court had given in 1931 should not be Secretary. Accountant) had stated that the deficit taken away, as it would make the T. DAWSON, for the year 1933 was estimated at position of the Victorian Railways, 19 Tennyson St., Seddon, W.11. £693,000, and it had actually come out and the position of the State Govern- at £696,000. ment worse than previously. Continuing, Mr. Carolan pointed He stated there was no comparison ASSIST YOUR BRANCH out that there had been an improve- between the railway service and pri- SECRETARY BY PAYING ment on the previous year, but such vate employers, because the railways improvement was not sufficient to service extends over the whole of the YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS warrant a general reduction in State, whilst the private employers' QUARTERLY. freights and fares, which were being business was situated in one locality. L April 5, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE March—April, 1934. 31

He pointed out that quarterly ad- Mr. V. Allen, for the Common- costs are increased the steady flow of justments caused considerable work wealth Railways, submitted that their Japanese imports which have even and made for dissatisfaction amongst award at the present time contains now extended to automobile parts the employes, who did not know how two base rates. One for Kalgoorlie will become greater. Then again they are worked out. This could be and the other for the rest of the ser- there is the employment of the present got over by fixing the wages on the vice. He stated that the deficit for unemployed boys and girls to con- five town basis, which would give at 1932 was £881,000; for 1933, £847,000; sider. These young people will have least one basic wage to the whole of and for 1934, £841,000. This included to take over the places of adults later the railway service in Victoria. about £132,000 for depreciation. The and with a reasonable wage the em-

loss in working in 1932 was £69,000; ployers will be able to open up new . He further stated that he adopted in 1933, £847,000, and for 1934, avenues of employment. The Court the argument of the N.S.W. Railways £78,000. If the 10% were restored on took a bold step when it reduced that there had been no change the "All Houses" table it would mean wages by 10%. Not only did it reduce sufficient to warrant the 10% restor- an additional expenditure of £21,000. the basic wage but it also reduced ation in the railways. The position Tuesday, 6th March, 1934. the margins and special allowances of the railways had not improved Mr. Grant, in continuing the case and the time is not ripe for a general sufficiently to permit of such a drastic for the employers, showed that a com- restoration, nor should the 10% be change, and in considering the matter parison of wages in 1927-28 with restored even in prosperous industries. the Court should bear in mind that those in 1932-33 showed that the Chief Judge Dethridge here inter- an increase of one penny per day in average real wages had dropped 3%. rupted, pointing out that outside the the Victorian Railways basic wage In looking at the effect of the higher Court employers in some industries means a total addition to the cost of wages under State Tribunals, it would running the railways of £25,000 a have agreed to restore the full 10% be noticed that the two States where and Powers 3/- and he referred to the year. no State Tribunal is operating, viz.: Flour Millers, Paper Manufacturers, Mr. Cherry, advocate for the South Victoria and Tasmania, showed the Glass Workers, Brewers, and Banking Australian Railways Commissioner, highest increase in the number of industries. His Honor also pointed submitted a statement by Mr. Gold- employees, whilst States where a high out that the importance of these beck, Comptroller of Accounts in that basic wage was operating, showed a restorations was that they were all State, showing the position of the decrease in the number of employees brought about voluntarily. railway finances in South Australia. engaged. Judge Drake-Brockman pointed out He submitted that great losses were In considering the export figures, that the Commonwealth Government being sustained to a large extent be- if we were to eliminate wool, it would itself had restored part of the Public cause the wheat had not been railed be noticed that there is a decrease of Service cuts. to the seaboard, but it has to be 16.9% in the value of exports between remembered that the wheat harvest 1932 and 1933. The position was a Mr. Myhill, in continuing his case, this year is not as heavy as last year. very dangerous one, and showed that stated that where agreements of this kind were made it was usually found The extent to which the South we are entirely dependent on wool and this is a very dangerous position, that they were sheltered industries Australian Railways had taken steps and monopolies and the Court should to remedy the position would be seen as the figures relating to the railways showed. beware of such agreements and indeed by the fact that whilst the earnings should be chary about taking notice dropped 16.8% between 1929-34, the Mr. Myhill, for the Employers, said of the hypocrisy and cheap advertising expenditure dropped 40.9% and the that his main argument for sub- of retailers in N.S.W., who refused to deficit dropped 61.7%. The railway mission would be the Court's an- take the cut in the State basic wage deficit of the State formed a very nouncement in December last that it as suggested by Mr. Crofts. large part of the State deficit. Con- desires to fix the highest economic Mr. Myhill stated that labor costs ditions were bad in South Australia, wage. He did not propose to fix any in Australia had to be very carefully notwithstanding the fact that over a sum as a suggestion for the Court, period of six years £4,000,000 had but it must be a sum applicable to all watched because the costs became too been received in grants from the high and we were losing industry. He industries throughout the Common- referred to the fact that Heinze Commonwealth. He considered it wealth. In short, it must be a wage would be much better if quarterly ad- (America) had proposed to start in that can be borne by both primary and Australia, but found that the cost of justments were substituted by half secondary industries. containers was too high. Yearly adjustments. The Court should Judge Drake-Brockman asked Mr. Mr. Mann, in summing up the get rid of loadings and the "Power's Myhill if he desired to pay a wage 3/-." position for the employers, said that that a wheat farmer could pay. right throughout the Employers' case Mr. Proctor, for the Tasmanian To this, Mr. Myhill replied, that it the Court was asked to look at the Railways, submitted that the esti- need not be the lowest limit, but must reality of the position and not the mated deficit in that railway system be a wage under which goods could apparent position. Except for wool, for the year was £430,000, but there be produced so that the wheat farmer the position is worse than at any was to be a grant from the Common- could buy them. The manufacturer other stage. The figures show that wealth of £380,000, leaving a deficit had to reduce his costs and when we cannot depend on the high price of £50,000. He showed that the esti- fixing a wage for the city it must be of wool and the Court is being asked mated deficit for the last half year remembered that the man on the land by the Unions to take a gamble on was £244,000 for the State. has to buy the goods produced under the price of wool and the odds are Mr. Proctor, continuing, stated that that wage. He stated that Australia decidedly against the Court. Summing the railways had shown this year a was a long way from being in a up the whole of the evidence, Mr. surplus of £7,700 if only revenue and normal state. If wages were increased Mann stated that the present position expenditure were taken into account. at the present time costs would be does not warrant any wage increase. This was the first surplus since 1926 increased, and with the low prices Judge Drake-Brockman remarked and was only achieved through the reigning for primary products the that the wage earners who were work- application of the Court's order for primary producer will not be able to ing under Federal jurisdiction and the 10% reduction. pay the increased costs. If Australian who are becoming a lesser number 32 March—April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE April 5, 1934. are losing 9.2% of their real wages Pitt had admitted that the taxation During a slump one section feels it whilst those not under Federal juris- per head in Victoria is lower than more than another, and Mr. Clarey diction have had an increase in their the average for the Commonwealth referred here to the position of the real wages. He pointed out that other and lower than most of the States. primary producer and the unemployed tribunals and State legislatures seem The limit of taxation according to worker. Some lose a part of their to disagree with what the Court has statistics is higher in Victoria than national income, such as the primary done, and His Honor asked why should in N.S.W., yet the actual tax in Vic- producer; others lose all their workers under Federal jurisdiction toria is very much lower. In the national income, such as the unem- carry a load that nobody else will "Age" of 20th February, it was ployed worker, while others gain as a share the burden. pointed out that in Victoria the tax- result of the slump. Mr. Mann stated that wages and ation was higher than in any other By rescinding the 10% reduction, other jurisdictions are governed by State on low incomes, but lower than and giving a greater spending power political consideration. It is clear any other State on high incomes. to the worker, who must spend all his that unless the Court had taken the This was contrary to the usual posi- wages, the Court will increase the step that it did in 1931 Australia tion. It meant that less pressure was money flowing into investment chan- would be in a very bad position to-day. put on those who had the money and nels because it will go back to those The primary producer is depending on save it, while greater pressure was who can invest. There had been a grants from the Government. These put on those who usually spend all big improvement in the position to- grants will have to come from other they have. day as compared with 1931 and it sources and it will be found that they South Australia's disadvantages was unfair for the employes under will increase prices and increase costs seemed to be that it did not seem to the Federal Court to be bearing the thus getting back to the disequilibrium have any secondary products of great whole of the burden of reduced wages. of 1928-30. importance, but it had to be remem- Mr. Munday, continuing the case Mr. Clarey in opening the reply for bered that in handling products im- for the Unions, said that the em- the Unions said that the employers ported from other States were an ployers had stated definitely in their had not denied that there had been a asset to the State and consequently case that they were not prepared to general improvement in the position they were no worse off than other state a wage which the Court should but they had taken the stand that places. fix. In effect, what the employers the improvement was only small and Continuing, Mr. Clarey submitted had said was, they were not prepared was a gradual improvement which that the case put forward by the rail- to say they could not carry on under should not be arrested. ways and tramways authorities was a any wage higher than that at present In a report published in the narrow view and forgot altogether paid. The employers had rested their "Herald," 6th March, it showed that the purposes for which they were case mainly on the primary producer. February of this year was the best formed. The railways are the chief In putting their case, the employers month for some years, as far as the developmental assets of the State, and had pointed out that the Court should building trade was concerned. only in looking at it from this light not be too reliant on the wool position. The Employers had advanced six can the true position of the railways This was very inconsistent with their reasons why the Court should not res- to the State and the people be seen. attitude in previous cases where they tores the 10%. These were: (1) Gov- For the last sixty years the railways stressed the necessity for better ernment finance; (2) A special case have been the main source in develop- prices for wool and our commitments of South Australian disabilities; (3) ing Australia. The settlement of our overseas. In this case very little had The bad position of railways and Gov- far flung spaces could never have been been heard of our overseas commit- ernment instrumentalities; (4) The effected without ttie railways and the ments, and now it was desired that condition of primary products; (5) value of the railways cannot be the Court should regard the increase General conditions of Australia war- measured in terms of deficits. The in the price of wool as a stroke of rant a lower wage standard; (6) The Australian railways had adjusted luck for the wool grower and not for dispute between the employers as to themselves more quickly to the the nation as a whole. An article in whether there should be a flat rate present conditions, than the railways the "Herald," on 3rd March, stated from a Federal point of view or in England and the United States of that the value of the wool clip this whether there should be differential America. year would probably exceed in money rates from a State point of view and Mr. Clarey stated that it was de- values all previous records. for provincial areas. sired that railway men should be on He (Mr. Munday) admitted that the Taking the Government finance the same footing as employes outside. wheat position was not to Australia's aspect first, Mr. Clarey pointed out The railway authorities were com- advantage, but we have to remember that there had been a steady and pro- pelled by Governments to do things that a large number of farmers are gressive improvement which is being they know are not wise. In Victoria, not entirely dependent on wheat. The maintained. There had been some the Government had forced the rail- mixed farmer had benefited by the talk of N.S.W. being an extravagant ways commissioners to reduce freights increase in the price of wool, and it State, but the Premier of that State on wool and livestock, although the was noticeable that the wheat farmer had recently stated that it was in a commissioners knew it was not wise was in a position to hold his wheat, satisfactory , position. Governments to do so. hoping for better prices, thus show- were budgetting for deficits as part Passing on to the primary products, ing that he was in a position to do of the rehabilitation scheme, and it Mr. Clarey said that between 1920 without an immediate return from the was all done with the one purpose of and 1929 the fruit industry had re- sale of his. wheat. giving industry a chance to recover ceived subsidies from the Government, The dairy farmer is having a bad by taking off taxation. It was notice- and the wine industry had also been time, but it is clear that he can and able that of all the States Victoria is helped. Wheat and butter, admittedly, will sell more in Australia under the the only State Government which is are in a bad position to-day, but this new Milk Board. Australian sales really seeking the 10% reduction. is not due to wage problems. At the are much better because greater Victoria should be the last State to source of production, both these in- prices are obtained. These greater do this because it is in a much better dustries are comparatively free of sales in Australia can only be ob- position than the other States. Mr. wages. tained if wages are increased. April 5, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE March—April, 1934. 33

As to the fruit section, figures show standard of living, and reduce the wages. The amendment to the Arbi- that the glut on the market is due to hours of industry. The Court could tration Act in 1928 was also done the over-production of the orchardists do a great deal in the way of getting with a view to reducing wages. themselves. The association to which rid of slums. The low nominal wage In bringing his case to a close, Mr. the employers belong have introduced and the 10% cut in real wages had Crofts said that the Court in fixing a a quota system from Australia and caused people to lose their houses basic wage should allocate a definite hope for co-operation from New Zea- when the slump came. amount to each element of such wage land. It was admitted by the em- If the employers' statements about and let the workers know what they ployers that the canned fruits position the bad position of Australia were are getting for food and groceries on had improved. transferred to British newspapers, it the one hand, for rent on the other The gap between the primary pro- might have a serious effect on Aus- hand, and fuel, light and miscellaneous ducer and the secondary producer is tralia's credit and the floating of con- items as well. The Powers 3/- was like the gap between the employed version loans. He quoted from the never suggested as a prosperity al- and the unemployed. It cannot be "Daily Telegraph," Sydney, which lowance. It is a permanent part of bridged by the Court, and must be stated that the year 1933 in N.S.W. the wage and should be continued. bridged by the community. could properly be called "The Year of It would be unfair to the worker if Our position in respect of primary Recovery." the minimum increase in the cost exports is much better to-day than the of living was 2/- pet week. Prices United States position in regard to Mr. CROFTS, referring to the Na- are expected to increase, particularly tional Recovery Act in U.S.A. stated from the point of view of rent and its secondary exports. The demand that after a few months' operation, the workers should get the benefit of for goods will be increased by the there were one hundred codes cover- restoration of the 10% reduction and every increase. ing most of the big industries in He considered the only way to set- the primary producer will benefit. America and he referred particularly Any increase in wages granted by tle this dispute, which was of long to the codes covering the steel and standing was to restore the 10 per the Federal Court would only slightly textile industries. When these codes affect the costs of the primary pro- cent. The country is practically in were put into operation, the number as good a position as it was in the ducer, and any slight increase in costs of employes increased by approxi- would be more than met by the in- boom period. The Court was estab- mately 22 per cent. and the wages lished to protect the workers from creased consumption of the goods by also increased by 21 per cent. The the secondary worker, owing to the sweating conditions and make certain average hours per employe decreased that each worker can get sufficient increase in wages. from 39.2 to 32.8 per week. In the for his normal needs in a civilised Mr. Munday said that various com- textile industry in America the in- community. This should be the last panies in Australia had increased crease in employment had been some- time when the Unions will have to their profits in 1933 by 41% over the where about 40 per cent., and the apply for the restoration of the 10 per 1931 profits; and by 20.9% over the hours had been decreased from 48 to cent. and it is hoped that there will 1932 profits. 40. He referred to the Australian be no need for any organisation to No representative of a secondary Year Book for 1934, page 165, where appeal to the Court on special grounds industry had come forward and said an article by Mr. L. Withal, Asst. Sec- for the restoration of the 10 per cent. they could not pay the full wage, for retary of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures, showed an entirely At the conclusion CHIEF JUDGE the simple reason if they had come pointed out that the forward and said it, they would not different position from the position put DETHRIDGE forward by the employers' represen- matter would have to be considered have been able to substantiate it. very carefully. He said that they Mr. Munday said that it would be tatives in this case. He then referred to the decision of the West Australian could not fix a date for dealing with unfair to have the employes in the the matter but he pointed out that metropolitan area brought under a Government to alter the Financial Emergency Act in that State and re- they would not delay the judgment rate for the five towns of Victoria any longer than could be avoided. which was lower than the cost of duce the reductions under the Act. living figures for Melbourne. He gave references to this in Exhibit Mr. Crofts then addressed the Court C.51, which was a copy of the "Foot- on behalf of employes, said that wage plate" issued by the A.F.U.L.E. Under fixing tribunals could do more,to stop this it was clear that much of the re- a revolution among the workers than duction previously imposed in Western any other body. He pointed out that Australia had now disappeared. He Special Notice notwithstanding that there had been considered the workers should get changes of Government in N.S.W., something like a better share from the The contributions collected for product of their labor than they have Western Australia, Queensland, and been getting in the past. Everybody the March quarter show a de- South Australia, the parliaments in including the workers themselves were cided improvement and those those States had done nothing to alter seized with a fear complex in 1930, the constitution of the State Courts mainly due to the fact that the Press members who have not paid so as to enable them to follow the of the country had put that fear into their dues are requested to do Federal Court. It must be assumed their hearts. This fear had even therefore that the State Tribunals and extended to the Court, when it im- so without further delay. the State parliaments considered that posed the 10 per cent. reduction. there was no necessity to reduce wages, as the Federal Court had done, For a long time now, and even be- By payment of contributions and consequently the Federal employes fore the 10 per cent. reduction in were the only ones to suffer. 1931 there had bee= an agitation on each quarter you assist your Mr. Crofts said that wages were all sides to reduce the wages of the Branch Officers and continue to not the only factor, and are certainly workers in Australia. The "Big not the main factor in the cost of Four" had been the commencement of be eligible for the full benefits production. In Britain there had been this trouble and every endeavour had of membership. a decided tendency to increase the been made by politicians to reduce 34 March–April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE. April 5, 1934.

formulate a common policy for all railway workers to pursue. The Branch Reports speakers were listened to with interest as the outlook for all railway workers ARARAT.—A special meeting was of members, which goes to show that certainly does not look too bright, held in the V.R.I. rooms on the 4th members here are taking a keener despite the repeated press reports March, 1934, at 2.30 p.m., when a interest in their union matters. that we are emerging from the de- visit was made by our General Presi- Minutes were read and confirmed, pression, and have turned the corner. dent, Mr. N. Pullar. On opening the and correspondence read and dealt The strength of a chain is in its meeting our chairman (Mr. H. Fry) with. General balance sheet and weakest link, and craft unionism and welcomed our visitor, who remarked auditor's report were submitted and jealousies have and will not get us it was a treat to have a visit from met with the approval of all present. anywhere. It was decided to let the one of our general officers to outline A letter of sympathy was forwarded matter stand over till the committee the work our organization was doing. to Mrs. P. Lewin conveying good of this Branch consider it next Sun- On rising, Mr. N. Puller was well wishes to her husband, who is lying day. That unwelcome guest, "short received. He outlined his policy and in Caulfield Military Hospital, where time," is again paying us a visit. touched on such subjects as follows: he was operated on. This Branch There is plenty of wheat in the coun- Reconditioning, Classification of Men, wishes him a speedy recovery and try, but judging by the price offering 10% Cut, Sectional Representation trusts that before long he will be back no one wants it. The evidence sub- on Classification Board, Superannu- with us again. mitted to the Arbitration Court this ation, Shunting Engine Drivers, Arbi- General business was brought for- week has been enlightening to railway tration Court matters, and Socialis- ward some items for local depu- men, as inasmuch as we are employed ation of Industry. He ably explained tations and executive, past secretary's in a non-paying concern according to all his views and his address was certificate, and retiring certificate for one of the employers' representatives, interesting, and an education to all. one of our members (C. Wilson) was we should have no wages and work present. During the course of his ordered, and the officers of this for nothing. Sympathy was expressed address, he spoke highly of the qual- Branch hope that there will be a big at the loss sustained by one of our ities possessed by our General Secret- muster at our next meeting to see recently retired comrades (Mr. Jack ary (Mr. Collins), who had done a same presented. No further business Hutchinson) in the death of his wife. lot of hard work for our members in being brought forward, the chairman Two retired members (under His reference to superannuation, arbitra- closed the meeting at 4.45 p.m. Duties clause) were presented with the tion and general matters. —A. E. DANS. gold emblems of the Union, suitably At the conclusion of his address, inscribed; and Mr. Viv. Collins was Mr. Pullar was asked several ques- BENALLA.—The monthly meeting presented with a framed certificate in tions and answered same to the best of the Benalla Branch was held in recognition of the services rendered of his ability. The chairman then the V.R.I. Hall on Sunday, March 11, by him to this Branch during his five called upon Mr. R. James to move a at 2.30 p.m. Comrade Clover presided years as secretary. The meeting hearty vote of thanks to our visitor. over a moderate attendance. Minutes closed at 1.15 p.m.—J. BADHAM. Mr. James said it was a pleasure to of previous meeting were read and have a visit from one of our officers confirmed, and correspondence to explain in detail the doings of our received in the usual manner. We are CENTRAL.—The third ordinary organization, and stressed the point patiently waiting for the decision of meeting of the above branch was held on the good work done in connection the Court, and we sincerely hope that on 11th March, 1934. Mr. W. Bishop with superannuation and the case of there will be an improvement in the occupied the chair. There was a ex Dvr. Hunt, he trusted that it would conditions we are working under at moderate attendance. Alterations to not be long before we had another the present time. Certainly the award the goods and X class rosters sub- visit from our esteemed guest. Mr. is laid down in black and white, but mitted by the roster committee were C. Gazzard, on seconding the motion, office staff seem to be able to place adopted. Correspondence from the said he endorsed the remarks of the their own interpretation to suit their executive explaining the result of previous speaker and he felt sure that own ends. The reply to foremans' various cases taken up was read and the address delivered by Mr. N. Pullar items were unsatisfactory, and gen- received. was an education to all. Several other eral items were listed for D.R.S. We speakers said it was a treat to have a Arising out of the news letter a are indeed sorry to learn of the ill- discussion arose on the superannu- visit paid to us to enlighten us on ness of our General Secretary (Mr. ation act and it was stated that an several matters appertaining to our Collins) and trust that he will soon article on this subject by Mr. Lewis calling. be well and strong again. Meeting was submitted to the "Footplate" and Mr. Pullar thanked the several closed at 5.15 p.m.—A. W. BOURKE. was closed out.. Mr. Lewis contended speakers for there kind remarks, and that as the question was a live one said it was always a pleasure for a BENDIGO.—The quarterly meeting at the present time it should have general officer or one of the executive of the Bendigo Branch of the been published. In reply it was stated to pay a visit to any country centre A.F.U.L.E. was held in the drivers' that though the "Footplate" had and address members. The chairman room, Sunday morning 11th March, been enlarged there was a lack of then closed the meeting and thanked with a splendid attendance of mem- suitable space for the article in all members for giving our visitor an bers. Minutes of previous meeting question. attentive and impartial hearing. were read and confirmed and the It was reported to the meeting, and —A. E. DANS. news letter was listened to with regret expressed, that the General interest. A couple of accounts were Secretary was seriously ill in hospital. ARARAT.—Our usual monthly passed for payment. Standing orders Two delegates were appointed by the meeting was held in the V.R.I. rooms were suspended to enable us to hear Branch to attend the Militant Minor- on the 11th March, 1934, at 2.30 p.m. the views of the local officers of the ity Conference to be held on March When the chairman (Mr. H. Fry) A.R.U. (Messrs. Christopher, Galven, 30th, Messrs. W. Lewis and C. Cronin presided over an improved attendance and Wookey), the objective being to being the successful candidates.

I I I I I •• M._ April 5, 1934. TEE FOOTPLATE March-April, 1934. 36

The meeting was addressed by two very pleasing for those who performed One of our comrades (Fireman Ted members of the F.O.S.U. Mr. Gust, the spade work and organising to Williamson) had the misfortune to 1 who has recently returned from see their efforts crowned with success slip off the front of an engine one Russia, gave a very enlightening and it is hoped that the Donald night last week and was badly t account of his visit. He dwelt on the railway picnic will become an annual injured. We hope that Ted will soon vast progress made by the workers of event.—C. H. MORRISON. be better and back at work again. Russia, both socially and industrially. The new seats provided on Pilots No unemployment exists, in fact there MARYBOROUGH. — The monthly came in for a good deal of criticism, is a definite shortage of labor. Russia meeting was held in the Workers' and are considered by members to be he continued in contrast with capital- Hall on Sunday, 11/3/'34. Comrade not suitable and would be considered ist countries had an increasing wage S. Clover presided. There was only cheap at about 1/8th of their price. rate and at the same time was re- a fair attendance, and the day was A seat with a bracket that could be ducing the hours of labor. Mr. Gust hot. Correspondence was lengthy, slipped in and out of the slot on the contended that the people were con- and did not cause much debate. The side of the tank would be more suit- tented, enthusiastic and progressive. result of deputation to local officers able. Long trains of manure are was made known to the meeting. going up north so it looks like a large It was not his mission to tell us how General business was short and only to achieve this condition, but to point acreage of wheat again next year. a few important items were listed, —J. C. MANGAN. out and explain truthfully his im- one being the late ordering of the Pressions. The people he believed trains. This matter has to be dealt wil+--r- would eventually realize how undesir- with from time to time, only short WODONGA.—The usual monthly able our present conditions were. intervals of good ordering being ex- meeting of the Wodonga Branch was Mr. McKissock, the selected dele- perienced, and members will be held on Sunday, March 11, at 11 a.m., gate from the railway service to the pleased if this effort will be the last. Comrade H. Hallawell presiding. forthcoming visit to the Soviet, also btanding orders were suspended on Minutes of previous meeting were read addressed members. He hoped to account of the President of the Di- and confirmed, correspondence received bring back information concerning vision, Comrade N. Pullar being pre- also news letter. General business railway progress and policy and would sent to present the past Branch was very brisk, items being brought extend greetings from Victorian Chairman, Comrade G. Jones, with forward for local and general depu- workers to the comrades overseas. she Chairman's certificate. Comrade tation. Strongly commenting on the Australian workers should take an Pullar addressed the meeting on the case of restoration of the 10% cut intelligent interest in this greatest of activities of the Union and a lot of it cannot be denied that there is a lot all experiments. If there is a way good work was revealed, which had of truth in the statement that there out of the present disaster of capital- been mentioned from month to month are a lot of the workers on the basic ist ineptitude then we would be worse at the meetings per medium of the wage, which is far too low. It only than foolish to refuse to recognize it. newsletter, but a lot of the finer gave a living—and then one of the That capitalism is declining is ad- points of the fight for better condi- humblest kind-1before the 10% cut mitted on all sides. That something tion, compensation, board of discip- was made. Consequently, it does not must take its place is inevitable. The line cases, etc., were made known and require much investigation to see the workers must insist on such adjust- those members who were absent effects of the deflation. We wait with ments as will ensure the elimination missed a real treat, and an education great patience for the final address of all exploitation and production for on matters concerning their job, Com- on the Arbitration Court case, and Profit, and the introduction of a plan rade Pullar also touched on the world hope that we will be given back our to satisfy the complete needs of the affairs as they are to-day, and this guaranteed fortnight and that many People on a basis of equality. address also proved of interest and other disabilities that now exist will —C. J. FRANKLIN. an education to members. Members of the Branch Committee had ar- be rectified. Take for instance our acting men, just fancy the treatment DONALD.—The usual meeting of ranged a light refreshment and the day was in order for such a treat. meted out to these members, no body the above branch was held on Sun- of men have suffered such cruel and day afternoon, March 11th. Business has been slack and the Supers have had a lean time. The unjust treatment. However, we hope Comrade Keating in the chair owing that in due course that they get back to the Secretary being away at Ouyen meeting closed at 6.30 p.m.—F. CHAMBERLAIN. all that they are entitled to. We are on the week-end Rest. Comrade pleased to learn that there is a Geo. Thompson undertook the secre- general improvement in the shortage tarial duties for the meeting. SEYMOUR.—The monthly meeting of time for enginemen and hope that Notwithstanding the heat of the of the Seymour Branch was held on the improvement will continue. day-108 in the shade—a good atten- Sunday, March 11, with a large atten- Pleased to say that we are holding dance of members was recorded. dance. Mr. R. Monument occupied good on that mark in this district. Traffic is still very slack owing to the chair. Members of the Seymour Holidays are being gradually worked the wheat going into stack. Branch were very sorry to hear that off. We regret to see so many of Dr. Sid. Andrews has returned to our General Secretary (Mr. C. Collins) those names on the balance sheet and North Melbourne and it would appear had been taken seriously ill and was statement under the heading "Unfin- that the busy season has ended. a patient in hospital. Officers and ancial." It is your Union and it is A railway picnic was held at Cope members all join in wishing Mr. essential, comrades, that it should be Cope Lakes on Sunday, March 18; the Collins a speedy recovery. in a strong financial position to make weather was ideal. Approximately We regret to have to announce us a strong fighting force. Don't 300 attended. Swimming, running another death in our midst, one of leave it to your mates. Pay your and other sundry sports being in- dulged in. Every child under 6 got our comrades (Dvr. W. Luke) having contributions or make some effort to a silver coin and a bag of lollies and the misfortune to lose his wife. The pay. It may be your turn next to races were provided for all ages from officers and members of this Branch require assistance and how would you 6 to 60. And I guess that some of wish to extend to Mr. Luke and feel if you were behind in arrears and those nearing 60 felt the strain of the family their sincerest sympathy in the question asked, "How does he unwonted exertion on the Monday their recent sad bereavement. stand on the books ?" As this was morn; this was the first railway pic- Work at this depot is about normal, all that was forthcoming, the chair- nic held by the railway folk of Donald everybody working full time. Holidays man then closed the meeting at 12.30 and proved a huge success which was are just starting to be worked off. p.m.—G. H. LYNCH. 36 March-April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE. April 5, 1984.

vehicle. To stop, the train, the guard ran along the top of the train and History of the Locomotive applied a forked stick, called a "sprig- ger," to the wheels. (Broadcast over station 3KZ on A man named Brunton in 1813, in There was no cab for driver or 3/9/33 by W. Lewis.) Derbyshire, patented a locomotive fireman, only a strip of standing room Looking back through the centuries which was literally a steam-horse, flanked by a short railing. that have gone, and the wonderful having two hind legs actuated by two To Messrs. Foster, Rostrick and Co. changes that have taken place in evo- steam cylinders, but it was a failure. of Stowbridge, belongs the honor of lution, progress and history, it is The entry of George Stephenson building the first locomotive ever tried probable that the building of\ the loco- into the locomotive world made his- on rails in America. It was named motive was the greatest and most sub- tory, and the ideas hitherto confined "The Stowbridge Lion" and was built stantial innovation of them all. to crude engines was revolutionized in 1829 and was tried out in 1830 The locomotive linked up goods and by his wider vision of newer possi- before an excited gathering of people markets in a manner never before bilities, and the application of these and this strange British locomotive anticipated, and revolutionized indus- ideas in a practical manner. created a great sensation. try. It diminished distance and raced Stephenson was born in Northum- On 25th April, 1829, The Grand against time. berland in 1772, and when but nine British Experimental Railways Co. The changes wrought by the intro- years of age started working at two- offered a £500 prize for the best loco- duction of the locomotive were social pence per day attending a plough in motive, subject to conditions as to as well as industrial, and affected the the early hours of the morning, when weight, load, pressure of steam, price whole life of the nation. Steam power he should have been in bed. Like all and speed. The public trials of com- was realized more than 2,000 years poor children of that time, he was peting engines tcok place on a level ago, for it is recorded that Hero, of working hard before he could read or portion of line on the Manchester Alexandria, about the year 200 B.C., write. side of Rainhall Bridge, from 8th wrote a book on the expansive force of At the age of thirteen he worked October to 14th October, 1829. The steam, in which he described the as a brakeman. Later he was stoking competing engines were: "The cylinder, piston, slide valve and com- on a colliery engine. His wages were Rocket," by George Stephenson; "The mon clack valve. then 1/- a day. He was still stoking Novelty," by Braithwaite & Erickson; The first attempt to utilize steam at 17 years. He married at the age "The Sans Pareil," by Hackworth; for commercial purposes was about of 22 and in 1803 his only child, "The Perseverance," by Burstall. 260 years ago, but it was not until Robert, was born. In 1814, he built The trials proved "The Rocket" to the year 1803 that the first locomotive a locomotive which he named be the best engine, meeting all con- was built. The name "locomotive" is "Blucher" and it was patented in ditions and performing all tests in a derived from two Latin words: 1815. He built another locomotive in more than satisfactory manner. The "Locus," a place; and "Motio," motion. 1815, which was tried out on the Kil- "Novelty" and "Sans Pariel" broke The father of the locomotive is marnock and Troon tram road, but down, and the "Perseverance" was Richard Trevithick, who built the first the lines were too weak to carry the withdrawn. locomotive in 1803. He used high engine. In 1819 the owners of Hetton Stephenson was awarded the prize pressure steam as a driving force. Colliery engaged him to build five of £500 and at Rainhall in 1829 The wheels were smooth and flat and engines, and in November, 1822, all George Stephenson laid the founda- the exhaust steam was conveyed from these engines were working at the tion of the railways of the world. the cylinder to the chimney by a pipe. colliery. The "Rocket" weighed less than five The engine was six feet in length and Up to this time all locomotives were tons. ' This locomotive is still pre- had one cylinder eight inches in working in the interest of private served in South Kensington Museum. diameter, and was placed horizontally. enterprise, but in 1825 the first public At the conclusion of the trials, It was a peculiar looking object with railway in the world was opened for Stephenson received orders to build its cog wheels and tall chimney. traffic. The only engine possessed by seven locomotives, which he did. They It was tried out on 24th February, this public company was named were named: "The Meteor," "The 1804, and dragged ten tons of iron "Locomotion" and its weight was Comet," "The Arrow," "The Dart," and seventy persons nine miles to eight tons. It worked from 1825 to "The Phoenix," "The North Star," Merthyr-Tydvill in Glamorganshire, 1841 and is still in working order, and "The Northumbrian." South Wales. and is on a pedestal at the entrance The line was opened on 15th Sep- Trevithick started on sound lines, to North Road Station, Darlington. tember, 1830, and the eight engines but the perfecting of the engine was This engine was built by Stephenson. drew trains carrying about 600 people. left to others; but to Trevithick goes In 1827, Stephenson & Co. built a The "Northumbrian" was driven by the honor of building the first loco- locomotive named "Twin Sisters" and Geo. Stephenson; the "Phoenix" by motive that ran on rails. was used as a ballast engine. It had Robb. Stephenson (b r other of Matthew Murry, at Leeds, in 1811, twin boilers and two tall chimneys George); the "Rocket" by Loe Locke; built a locomotive which carried coal with two blast pipes. In 1828 they the "Dart" by Tom Gooch; the for several years from Middleton to built a locomotive named "The Lan- "Comet" by Bill Allcain; the "Arrow" Leeds. In the meantime, many ex- cashire Witch." This engine hauled a by Fred Swanwick; the "Meteor" by periments were made and a chain load of 58 tons up a gradient of one Tony Harding. engine was tried at Hetton Colliery, in 432 and worked for several years. It was at the opening of this line near Newcastle-on-Tyne, but this The first signals used were poles that the parliamentary member for engine and many others were failures. with pulleys. Drivers carried bugles Liverpool was knocked down and In 1813, William Hedley, after to blow at level crossings, but after fatally injured by the "Rocket," and many experiments, built a locomotive a few carts and coaches had been George Stephenson ran the dying man which he named "Puffing Billy;" it smashed up a whistle was fitted to the on the "Northumbrian" fifteen miles was a success and was worked until boiler. in twenty-five minutes — thirty-six 1862, when it was removed to South The guard had no van but rode in miles an hour, a world's record. A Kensington Museum. an exalted position on top of the rear monument at Parkside, seventeen April 5, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE March–April, 1934. 37

Miles from Liverpool marks the spot. if when they came to parliament I fences ten feet high on each side of The first bogey engine was built in talked of going at a greater rate the railway." 1833 and worked until 1850. Early than ten miles an hour, I would put The speed mania soon passed and railway tickets were metal discs. a cross on the concern. It was not it was just as well it did for such The "Invicta" was another locomo- an easy task for me to keep engines speeds involved needless risks and tive built by S t e p h e n s o n. The down to ten miles an hour, but it drivers needed nerves of warriors to "Planet" and the "Mercury" followed must be done, and I did my best. stand the strain, and even to this day later. Two goods engines were built I had to place myself in the most Europe's fastest trains have a sort of in 1831 and were aptly named "Sam- unpleasant of situations. In the understood maximum of sixty miles son" and "Goliath." An engine of witness box of a parliamentary an hour. this same class was built for America committee, someone enquired if I The block system of signalling was and was named "John Bull. was a foreigner, and another hinted introduced in 1865 by William Cooke, In 1831 the Glasgow and Gainskirk that I was mad. Many became and greatly improved railway work- Railway was opened, when Geo. alarmed and in order to prevent ing, the safety of the public, and the Stephenson drove the first engine these mad steam engines running confidence of the drivers. bearing his name. In 1832 came the beyond an old horse trot, they got The completion of railways made Leicester and Swannington Railway two eminent engineers to act as elaborate and efficient postal facilities and Stephenson drove the "Comet." lunacy commissioners. I put up possible; transformed life at the fish- The chimney stood thirteen feet above with insults and rebuffs, and went ing ports; transferred coal and iron the rail level and on the opening day on with my plan, determined not from the mines to industrial centres was knocked down in Glenfield tunnel. to be put down." and gave such a lift to commerce as In 1834 came "Atlas No. 8," an en- There was a phenomenal advance cannot be calculated. gine of twenty tons and steam press- in railways in the period 1825-1845. This involved a scramble for gain; ure seventy lbs. Railway companies were launched in a fever of speculation of shares. It is apparent to everyone that the rapid succession. "Trade follows the Numbers of small lines were built. locomotive is not the invention of any engine," was a true saying. Keen In 1846 two hundred and seventy-two one man. Hundreds of engineers and resistance was shown by owners of Acts were passed for new lines. On draughtsmen have given their brains property to tracks being laid down, one stretch of the Derby to Wothing- and ingenuity to accomplish the won- and companies were robbed by having ham line 3,500 men and 328 horses derful steam giants of to-day, and it to pay huge amounts for requisite were working full speed. is a matter for regret that instead of strips of land. Opposition was met at every point being utilised for social service, they George Stephenson became an en- on laying new lines. Surveying are used by private enterprise and terprising locomotive manufacturer, engineers were charged with tres- state capitalism for the production of and he once said: passing and even poaching. All kinds profit. "I am now called George Stephen- of concessions had to be made to land- The Midland Counties Railways was son, Esq., of Tafton House, near holders. Companies fought each other opened in 1840. One of their drivers, Chesterfield. I have dined with or combined against a third. One Tom Westsmith, served 55 years, and princes, peers and commoners, with landowner received £3,000 for a plot drove over two million miles, or 85 persons of all classes from the of land. The Great Eastern Co. had times round the globe and never met humblest to the highest. I have to pay £120,000 for a site worth with an accident until knocked out dined off a red herring in the hedge £5,000. The track of the Brighton Co. just before he retired. bottom, and I have gone through cost £8,000 a mile. The Great When one looks back to the coming immense drudgery and the conclu- Western cost £6,696 a mile. Legal of the locomotive into industry and sion I have come to is that when costs were enormous and one bar- travel, it is hard to convey an idea of we are all stripped there is not rister netted £38,000 in a single the amount of prejudice and opposi- much difference." session of parliament. Capitalist tion that the pioneers had to contend interests fought each other and the with. It is remarkable, in all walks He was unremitting to the end in investing public were after easy of life, social, political, industrial and his practical interest in the physical money. religious, when one gets off the beaten and mental welfare of his men, a The inevitable crisis under the track or out of the groove, what worthy founder of a great calling. capitalist system came in 1845 and an anger, hatred, malice, lies, he or she Passing from 1844 we find the Act of Parliament was necessary to has to face. It is true that the human speed of locomotives gradually in- facilitiate the abandonment of railway race is a frightened child, and our creasing until in 1853 the British and bubble schemes. social, political, industrial and religi- Exeter Railways built an engine with In 1864 thirteen companies mon- ous leaders have not been ashamed to wheels nine feet in diameter that ran at the rate of 80 miles an hour. Train opolised three-quarters of the railway capitalize that fear. Were it not for traffic of the kingdom. Big business those brave spirits who refused to speed was a great cult eighty years ago, and 78 miles an hour was run on was getting hold of the railways; big keep on the beaten track and whose money was being made by all bones mark the milestones of numerous occasions, and even 80 interests except one—the most vital progress, we would to-day be naked miles an hour was exceeded. interest of all—human labor. It was savages dancing around a dead snake What a change has come over the regarded then, as to-day, a mere fetish. scene since 1835 when railways were chattel to be purchased as cheaply as George Stephenson, speaking at beginning to boom and eminent medi- possible, and worked as heavily as the opening of the Newcastle and cal men declared that "travelling in possible, and when worked out thrown Darlington Railway, said: cars drawn by a locomotive ought to on the industrial scrap heap. The hours "I pledged myself to attain a be forbidden in the interests of the worked were excessive. In many cases speed of ten miles per hour. I said public health. The rapid movement twenty hours of continuous duty and I had no doubt that the engine cannot fail to produce among passen- over ninety hours a week are recorded. would go much faster, but one had gers a mental affection known as A driver was killed on Kentisk-town better be moderate at the beginning. `Delirium Terrorism.' Consequently, station by a light engine and it trans- The directors said I was right, for it is absolutely necessary to build pired at the inquest that he had been 38 March–April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE April 5, 1934. 1 on duty 23 hours, and was too worn statement is very similar to the atti- 1915, as a result of which 227 were out to get out of the way. tude adopted by the judges the killed. This was the wrecking of a There were many fatalities and Federal Arbitration Court ofof Aus- troop train from Scotland, near accidents to men and boys, and all tralia, who refused quite recently to Gretna. At that time human life was were wage slaves in a real and grim restore an award to enginemen made going so cheaply in the wholesale sense. Twelve hours work a day was in 1925, and set aside in 1930, on the slaughter in Europe that very little common. In 1879 working hours per grounds that it was out of date interest was shown. week were increased from sixty to although evidence was given that the On 1st July, 1906, there was a sixty-six. Firemen received 3/6 per Railways Commissioners were apply- disaster at Salisbury. A driver who day of 12 hours; drivers 5/- per day ing provisions of an award made in had never been over the road before of 12 hours. Many lines were return- 1923, which, according to their reason- travelled at sixty miles an hour over ing 11% profit on shares. ing, is quite in order. a thirty mile speed limit curve. The The punishment meted out to Apparently judges of 1933 are just train left the rails and both driver drivers who allegedly made mistakes as class conscious and class biassed as and fireman were killed. was severe in the extreme. Driver they were in 1877, just 56 years ago, On 19th September, 1906, the ex- William McCullock was sentenced to and will continue to be so while they press, King's Cross to Scotland, did four months' imprisonment after his receive £2,500 per year to keep the not stop at the Grantham station, and train had collided with another because workers in slavery and degradation on was turned into a loop line, travelling he relied on a Clarke and Webb's a basic wage of 10/- a day and less. at seventy miles an hour, and on a patent chain brake, which failed at Going back to the years 1874-5 and twenty mile speed limit curve left the the critical moment. He had been 6, we find there were 2,249 railway rails. A dozen lives were lost. driving 26 years without a previous servants killed and over 10,000 in- When the companies were to blame, mishap. He was removed from the jured. Thousands of tragedies the juries often brought in a verdict court to a prison cell in handcuffs. No occurred because parliamentary inter- lives were lost. of "Killed by an act of God," but ference was considered unnecessary. when the railway workers were held We come now to the serious Tay A driver was on duty on the High- to blame, the utmost severity was Bridge accident—the result of jerry land line from 12.40 p.m. on Friday shown. building and bad designing. Eighty until 1 p.m. the following Monday. It will be noticed that a great many lives were lost. Not even a prosecu- A driver on the Midland Great accidents occurred through brake tion followed. Evidence at the en- Western Railway fell off the engine failures, and I feel that it would not quiry showed that cracked and through exhaustion, after 43 hours on be fitting to talk on the locomotive damaged columns had been puttied duty. without paying a tribute to the and painted over, and girders im- This state of slavery went on wonderful Westinghouse brake in use properly bolted. despite agitation until, in 1900, we in Victoria, and most other countries. In 1886 a climax was reached. A find that on the principal lines in This brake is a wonderful piece of driver was suspended for 12 days for England and Wales there were 263,369 mechanism and hours could be devoted a broken cast-iron eccentric. Fines instances of drivers and firemen work- to talking about its merits. Suffi- for passing a signal at danger and ing over 12 hours a day. Efforts to cient it is to say that when the West- heavier fines for refusing to pass introduce a ten-hour day were unsuc- inghouse brake is looked after and signals at danger were numerous. cessful. Fatal accidents as the result properly attended to, it is infallible. Fines for the most trivial offences. of long hours were numerous. A fog A menace to locomotive men crept The grievances suffered culminated in signaller was cut to pieces after being a strike of enginemen on the Midland in in 1900 and still continues to this on duty 23/ hours. A goods guard day. Engines are being built bigger Railway Co. The consequences were was killed after working 22 hours. disastrous. It was ill-directed and and still bigger and the length and On the 14 days preceding his death, weight of trains greatly increased. without combination. It was fore- he had worked 19 hours a day. doomed to failure. This has been tragic in Victoria where The most frightful case of all was large engines have displaced man After this calamitous strike, the vin- where a driver, fireman and all the power and many engine cleaners have dictiveness of the master class was passengers were precipitated into a been stood down and despite wastage directed against enginemen. The men river and drowned because the signal- of man power a system of rationing 1 were subjected to all sorts of tyranny man had been on duty 68 hours con- still prevails, which reduces many and abuse against which there was no tinuously. skilled employes' wages to less than redress. The long hours worked were A terrible accident took place in the basic wage. appalling. Drivers and firemen were 1887 resulting in great loss of life. Greater service is being rendered at on duty for 18, 20, 24 hours, and one Due to the extra traffic to Doncaster less cost and engine drivers and fire- case is recorded of a driver being on races, the company, instead of intro- , men are doing more work and getting duty 40 hours without being relieved. ducing extra block signal boxes, sus- less pay than they were ten or even In many cases there was no payment pended the use of the block system. five years ago. for overtime. Cases were cited before The starting signal was off for the The physical and mental strain a Royal Commission where drivers express. Rounding the curve the caused by these big engines exhausts had had only six hours' sleep in a driver saw a train standing at the the men, and statistics from all parts week. The representative of the com- platform. The express was only pro- of the world show the bad effect they pany said: vided with Smith's simple vacuum have on the heart and nervous system. "I should be very sorry to see any brake, which failed to act, as it had The advent of the twentieth century legislative interference prescribing often done before, and a collision took saw the boom for large engines when any particular hours for railway place. Instead of representatives of America entered the field of competi- workers. It must be left, I think, the company being tried for man- tion. The Baldwin works built a to the companies to work the men slaughter, the driver and fireman number of giants. To-day, in Victoria, as they find it best, and most con- were, and were acquitted, and after we have the "S" class engines used venient." much difficulty re-instated. for goods and passenger work, and Just digressing a moment, at this The pressure of war conditions con- "X" class engines used for goods point, and coming close to home, this tributed to a disaster on 22nd May, work. Both of these types are gigan-

r April 5, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE March–April, 1934. 39 1. tic and make men look small in coin- affairs be righted and this will not Marx: "Workers of the world unite, Parison. be until all workers realize and under- you have nothing to lose but your •e Automatic couplings have been pro- stand the prophetic words of Karl chains." a vided, making for longer trains. ir lS Passing over the period of the war le We find that it was not until 6th Open Page le December, 1918, that an eight hours day for enginemen was agreed to. It came into operation on 1st February, that a revolution was approaching in a France and was imminent. io 1919. Superannuation •e After the war, the Government The nobles and aristocracy of made a statement that it intended to (By W. LEWIS). France said his views were only the- a ories. But the revolution came, and Le lower wages and in consequence When the Superannuation Act first strike was declared which may be came into operation it was realised the heads of many of the nobility regarded as one of the greatest and by those who came within its scope adorned the walls. most successful strikes in history. that the Act contained many anoma- It is unwise to be dogmatic and d Railway men were congratulated by lies and disabilities, but it was felt predict millions to one chances in d the whole world of organised labor by many of our members that it was these historic times. g for their solidarity. The men were at least a start in the right direc- During the currency of the Super- a solid and combined. Lloyd George, tion and was something better than annuation Act we have seen a Labor e who had begun by calling the men life assurance—that iniquitous form ( ?) Government come and go—push- conspirators and anarchists, ended by of exploitation that has accumulated ed into office by the representatives calling them into his drawing room. for its owners thousands of pounds of the banks to administrate the State , A great battle was won for the work- profit from the workers and built ma- during a crisis when money and credit ing class. It was an example of what jestic and palatial edifices in all cit- had vanished. Members generally it can be done when the workers are ies of the world and rendered a num- shook hands with themselves and said d united with one common objective in ber of capitalist shareholders im- "Now the fund will be put into a 3 view. mune from economic want, money sound financial position and members I have given a brief history of the wrung from the toiling masses who can rest assured that with the Ho- Y evolution of the locomotive from the have had to deny themselves the bare gan (Labor) Cabinet at the helm the necessities of life in order to pay Primitive engine to the magnificent ship of State will be steered into t their dues. It was fondly believed— calm waters and members after a life- engines of to-day, with hauling belief backed up by the officers of capacity of thousands of tons, but a time of drudgery will rest in peace our organisations that at the quin- during their declining years on the unfortunately under the system of quennial investigation after the Act capitalism, wages and conditions of pension rendered sacred by Hogan had been in operation five years that and his Cabinet." But what happened Men piloting this great institution some, if not all of the anomalies and —Hogan, in his desperation to serve f have not progressed in a like ratio. d disabilities would be rectified and con- capitalist interests applied illegally a Under capitalism, the workers can tributions reduced by a beneficient 10 per cent. cut on the pensioners, re- never hope to achieve economic free- Government. Amendment Committees dom. ducing it by 2/- per week on a 4 unit were formed and resolutions and sug- pension. A number of people, including some gestions were carried to alter the Act to relieve participants of part of the Later, this money was restored to workers are wildly excited over pensioners, but Hogan had shown the President Roosevelt and his precious burden they have to shoulder, all of which suggestions were abortive. way and the Argyle Government plan—"The National Industrial Recov- made it legal to deduct the amount ery Act." This is a new scheme in During the eight years just passed of which Hogan was robbing the pen- favour of the capitalist, and to the opportunity presented itself to have sioners. To the surprise and disgust detriment of the workers. Roosevelt loaned part of the fund at a fair rate of members the conversion loan was is aided and abetted by the American of interest but the Government of the applied to the fund and depleted it Federation of Labor and Socialist day in their anxiety to juggle with the by £30,000. leaders and are trying under the pro- funds themselves would not loan the Since the Act came into operation tection of the police to get the workers money and a direct loss was sustained it has been the plaything of Govern- to support the anti-working class by the fund. ments and unfortunately will be a Policies of the Roosevelt administra- Came what is known in capitalist plaything for future Governments. tion. The plan aims to establish com- parlance as "the depression" but what There has been nothing but repudia- pulsory arbitration, to outlaw strikes, is in reality an inevitability under tion applied to the Act and is it any to speed up, to keep wages on a star- the system of economics which we wonder that members, in their hun- vation level. live or rather exist. The crisis dreds, perhaps thousands, are seeking This Roosevelt plan is under direct through which we are passing and to reduce the number of units they supervision of military men, magnates have passed were ably forecast by hold to the minimum. of industry, reformist Trade Unions, Marx and Engels, and are periodical. There has been continual interfer- and will be directed to wipe out hard Each'one increases in intensity bring- ence with the Act and the confidence won victories of American workers. ing nearer and still nearer the de- of members is shaken. It was in- Workers of all countries will be well struction of capitalism. tended to have applied 45 amendments advised to view this plan with sus- The author of the article in the to the original act and which now picion. There is only one objective current issue of the "Footplate" have been reduced to 11. for the working class. The abolition states that it is a million to one soc- It is my opinion that had it not of the capitalist system. Not until ialism coming into being during the been for the Centenary and the pro- the system of private profit is over- life of the present generation. This posed visit of the Prince that the thrown and replaced by a society reminds me of a story told of the whole of the 45 amendments would French Revolution, a young writer have become law. The officers of the Where all will be for each and each various organisations are preening for all, will this lamentable state of named Rousseau advanced the view 40 March–April, 1934. THE FOOTPLATE April 5, 1934. themselves on having had the num- He should consider the number of yam, written between the 11th and ber of amendments reduced, but I years he still has to serve until he 12th century. believe that they were reduced in reaches the age of 65. He should "Some sigh for the glories of this number so that no contentious mea- consider the state of his health and world, sures would be debated which, per- the probable number of years he has And some sigh for the prophets haps might have resulted in the defeat to live. He should consider the num- paradise to come of the Argyle Ministry—an unthink- ber of dependents he has and of which Ah, take the cash, and let the credit able calamity during "the Centenary" age they are. He should debate the go, year when thousands of pounds will question as to what future Govern- heed the rumble of a distant be squandered and which will be re- ments will do in quinquennial inves- drum. paid from industry or in plain lan- tigations. He should consider whe- guage percentage reductions from th e . ther- the fund will be like the Queens- wages of the slaves of toil. land Act and end in ignominous ob- When the first quinquennial investi- livion. (The Path o f Freedom gations was made it was believed that There are 101 considerations to (From A.R.U. Gazette). at least three independent and dis- take into account and no two men interested actuaries would have been are circumstanced similarly so as I "I hereby resolve that I will be- appointed. Instead a representative said before it is a personal matter come an active vitalising force in my of a large Insurance Company was and no individual should brook out- Union, that I will attend the meet- appointed and his finding was a fore- side interference. Possibly some ings of my Union, that I will assist gone conclusion. members of the Executives, who are in the establishment of a Socialisa- The result of his finding is reflected advising you to hang on to your units tion Union therein, and that I will in the legislation that has followed— have already surrendered their own. make the year 1934 a year of mighty increased contributions and the rejec- endeavor in the achievement of the Anyhow you have until 15th May, New Organisation of Society based tion of a most important clause "his 1934, to make your decision so there on Industry, under the Great Planned duties" clause which takes away the is no need to rush in with your head Economy of Socialism." right of the individual to stay on the down. job or retire as he desires and the Let our resolution be really sincere The question of surrendering units Let us—ALL OF US—have the nec- right invested in the Commissioners and taking out an endowment policy to either retire the individual or re- essary courage and decision of char- is very unwise as nothing is to be acter to adhere to it, and there tain his services in a lower capacity gained by so doing and it would be is no at 5/6ths, his rate of salary when he power that can prevent us from preferable to retain the number of achieving our objective. fails to maintain a standard of phy- units you already have. sical, mental, oral and vision effi- The A.R.U. Socialisation Commit- In the amending legislation the tee has now been at work since Au- ciency. Government has rectified the anomaly Advice has been tendered by Trades of a single man or widower dying and gust, 1932. In the course of its work Union officials per medium of their it has prepared an organisational the amount he has paid reverting to plan for the establishment of "Sociali- journals and by Richardson, our rep- the fund. resentative on the Board to members sation Units" throughout the Victor- advising individuals to retain their This amendment was fully ex- ian Railways Service. Details of the present number of units and if pos- pected as it was a glaring injustice plan have been published in the No- sible to take out more units. to compulsorily extract from an in- vember issue of the A.R.U. "Gazette." This advice is like telling a starv- dividual nearly 11 pounds per year The plan has also been submitted to ing man who has a loaf of bread not and not to return this money to his a mass meeting of railwaymen held to eat the bread because in a year or next-of-kin. Apart from this ex- in Unity Hall on the 19th November pected rectification the whole of the last. It now remains for us—for you so there will be roast beef and plum other 10 amendments are detrimental pudding. and for me—to get busy right now The position is this, it is easy for to our members. and make the Plan in theory a Reality Trades Union officials on four or five In conclusion, I desire to say that in Fact. hundred pounds a year who have there is no guarantee that all pen- This is our "Task" in the year 1934 been raised above economic want to sioners will receive their full pensions on which we now enter. The measure tell poor starving workers not to take when they retire—at present they of success to be attained depends on 30 or 40 pounds when it is easy to certainly do not. You and I. get. There are numbers of men who, The future is pregnant with pos- Fellow Railway Workers and Com- sibilities. in the last four years, have been bur- rades— Comrades in the great task of dened with debts through no fault of Our national debt is 1213 millions preparing the Foundations of a New their own and this money is an oasis of pounds and we have a population Order of Society—Do you Stand *ith in the desert to them and many who of a little over 6 million people. Us? Will You Work With Us? have been reduced to penuary have Not one penny has come into the Be assured that there is no Magic- rushed with haste to cash their Commonwealth since 1885—most of ian waiting with a magic wand to units. our gold has been shipped overseas waft us from the turbulent seas of One writer insinuated that many and we are not a solvent nation. "Capitalism" to the peaceful haven of the workers would probably spend When the debtors foreclose on their of "Socialism." The great transition the money obtained foolishly. mortgage all moneys will go into the will not be effected by "magic." "Your At any rate the money belongs to melting pot and then, oh! where will own right hand your chains must him to do as he likes with and to our fund be. sever." We must face four square quote a biblical text "Cast the mole Future Governments will be faced to the logic of facts. out of your own eye before taking the with this situation—wealth is being beam out of others." The question The building of the foundations of concentrated in fewer and still fewer a New Order of Society is a com- that many members are asking to- hands, money is getting more valu- day is "Should I reduce my number monsense everyday job for common- able. The rich are getting richer sense everyday people. Let us develop of units." and fewer. The answer rests with himself. He a clear commonsense understanding should take no notice of gratuitous The poor are getting poorer and of the facts—and in the year 1934— advice from interested Trades Union more. Press right on with the job. Keep officials or others. After analysing what I have said our Objective ever in view, and Build The matter is one for his own con- remember the lines of the ancient —Build—Build. science. Persian, astronomer, poet Omar Kha- "L.H.L." W holly set up and printed in Australia by Printers Pty. Ltd., 27 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne.

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Library Digitised Collections

Title: The Footplate 1934

Date: 1934

Persistent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11343/21251

File Description: Footplate, vol.17 no.3, 1934