The Cardiff Times

Mr Bell's Annual Report THE BIG LOCOMOTIVE QUESTION. The report of the general secretary (Mr Richard Bell, M.P.), to be presented to the annual meeting, is, as usual, of an interesting character, and covers a wide range of subjects. The hon. member opens with a succinct refer- ence to the ancient history of tne city, which, he says, is now recognised as the capital of Wales." The produce of the hill districts was in the old days brought to Cardiff on the backs of mules but in 1790 an Act of Parlia- ment was obtained under which a canal was constructed from Merthyr to Cardiff. A year or two later a tramway was built to convey the products of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks to the town, ani Mr Bell quotes largely from Wilkins's History of the Coal Trade of Wales as to the origin of the tramway, and in particular the trial upon it of the first loco- motive ever seen in the Principality. This event took place as the result of a bet for £ 1,000 made by Samuel Homfray with Richard Crawshay to the effect that he would con- vey a load of iron by steam power from his works to the Navigation, nine miles distant." Richard Trevethick-a Cornish genius—was entrusted with the construction of the engine, and with the aid of Rees Jones, of Penydarren. an ingenious and self-taught mechanic, the locomotive, well described as a curiosity, was built, a ad the load was duly conveyed to its destination. Next to its geographical position the greatest facto., Mr Bell observes, in the development of Cardiff was the construction of its docks. The Taff Vale Railway Company's line between Cardiff and Merthvr was opened in 1841, and in a few years the original line was doubled, and branches were from time to time added, opening up rich valleys full of mineral wealth. Railway Workers in Cardiff. Mr Bell gives some further interesting quo- tations from Mr Wilkins's book describing the early locomotives of the Taff Vale, and having referred to the progress of the trade of Cardiff, he proceeds to state that there are 2,120 rail- waymen, apart from dock staff, engaged in Cardiff a.t the present time. This number is made up as follow ;-Great Western Railway, 1,010 Cardiff Railway,392 Taff Vale Railway, 380 Rhymney Railway, 338- It is interest- ing to note," continues Mr Bell, that our meeting is being held in the Cory Hall, which is immediately opposite the chief offices of the Taff Vale Railway. Thus the two parties con- cerned in the legal fight which resulted in the House of Lords' decision as to the status of Trade Unions are only divided by a street. It is also somewhat of a coincidence that we come to such close quarters immediately after the House of Commons has passed the Com- mittee stage of the Trades Disputes Bill, which will, when entered upon the Statute Book, once again place the Trade Unions of the country in a sound position." Larger Locomotives and Longer Trains. Under the heading of Railway Improve- ments and Men's Conditions Mr Bell states that progress continues to be made in working railways by electrical power, whilst the work. Ing of rail autocars has been very much ex- tended, and most of the leading railways had now adopted them for small branch lines. The innovation seemed to be a desirable one from every standpoint. The system of working heavier trains with larger locomotives con- tinued during 1905. During that year the goods train mileage decreased by 400,000 miles in spite of an increase of 11,300,000 tons in the goods carried. The following list showed the change that had taken place since 1900 Additional miles open 2,774 „ Locomotives. 1.C42 »• Passenger carriages. 3,506 „ Waggons of all kinds 29,556 ,» Passengers carried 56,745,416 Tons of goods and mine- rals carried 36,209,500 „ Passenger train miles. 24,372.864 Decreased goods and mineral train miles 25.297,535 To have carried the goods traffic of 1905 under the conditions of 1900 would have required over 2,500 more engines and sets of men. Cal- culating four men to each eneine-driver, fireman, cleaner, and guard—this would have meant an increased staff of at least 10,000 men in the running department alone. Instead of this he calculated the great increase in the this he calculated the great increase in the volume of traffic bad been conveyed with some 1,200 less engines and sets of men, for, as different railway chairmen had stated at half- yearly meetings, they had been enabled to take many of their older locomotives out of traffic, and the full number shown to be owned by the companies were not actually working. Thus the mental and physical responsibilities of the men generally had been vastly increased, and the firemen particularly, who bad to shovel nearly double the quantity of coal on the large engines without any extra pay at all. This system of working heavier trains with larger locomotives had been responsible for blocking the promotion of firemen, brakesmen, and other grades. It was to be hoped that they bad now about touched bottom with regard to this, and that firemen and others would begin to obtain their promotion, as was the case before The new engines were introduced. Notwith- standing the great labour connected with working these mammoth locomotives, the rail- way companies, with the single exception of the North-Eastern, had not recognised the fact that the firemen were entitled to higher remu- neration. Surely, in view of the facts stated, there was room for improvement. An eight- hour day for men of this class would be a fair and reasonable demand, and the firemen could also reasonably press for a higher standard wage. Railway Porters' Tips. The luggage-in-advance system." says Mr Bell, seems to be very convenient to the public and remunerative to the companies. It has also decreased the incomes of porters, for no railway company except the North- Eastern-has done anything in the direction of increasing the wages of porters to make up for the loss in tips. It should be remembered, when considering this question, that the wages of the porters were deliberately fixed at a low rate on account of the tips they received. Now that the companies receive the tips," the porters have a claim to serious considera- tion. During the recent negotiations with the North-Eastern management, the men's repre- sentatives succeeded ingettingthepayofthe porters increased by Is per week at 31 of the stations affected by the luggage-in-advance system. Mr Bell next points out that a majority of the large and wealthy railway companies made their servants work on Sundays without pay. Porters were not paid for their Sunday labour, and he was pleased that they now appeared to be recognising that the way to get such an undoubted grievance redressed was by joining the A.S.R.S. Movements. Under this heading Mr Bell deals with what are known among railway workers as move- ments for the purpose of improving their conditions of service. The general secretary states that on the Great Central Railway the goods guards and shunters are now paid for Sunday duty on the basis of an eight hours day. and the company hav? agreed to abolish the grade of travelling pilot guard. The goods guards, brakesmen, shunters, and signalmen on the Great Western Railway have been making efforts to improve their position. At an interview with the directors on the 3rd of May the men's representatives suggested that a Conciliation Board should be established, and that the A.S.R.S. officials should be recognised by the company. At a further interview on the 15th August the general manager stated that he had been impressed with some of the facts put forward, and con- sidered that the men had made out good cases with regard to certain questions. He under- took to let them have a definite reply as early as possible. Mr Beli states that the whole pro- ceedings were of an amicable character, and good results are hoped for from the negotiations. The Great Western Railway platelayers had also pressed claims for consideration, but they had not met with much suceess. Shunters and signalmen on the Midland Railway had secured concessions, and as to the movement on behalf of all grades on the North-Eastern Railway substantial concessions had been obtained, and the proposal foe the formation ot a Conciliation Board was under consideration. Different grades on the Port Talbot, Rhondda and Swansea Bay. Rhymney and other rail- ways had also succeeded in obtaining im. provements in their conditions of service. The arrangements for the conferences in con- nection with the national all grades movement were in an advanced stage. Labour Questions in Parliament. Mr Bell discusses at length the measures affecting Labour dealt with during the present Parliament. In connection with the War Office, the Admiralty, the Post Office, and other departments, the Government had recognised the right of workmen to be repre- sented by the officials of their Union. The Workmen's Compensation Act AmendmentBill would, if carried into law, greatly improve the position of railway men, by including within the scope of the existing Act all those at Dresent excluded. The President of the Local Govern- ment Board (Mr John Burns) seemed deter- mined to make some improvement in the Poor Law, and to grapple with the unemployed question. The" Cbaracter Note Bill, intro- duced by Mr Bell, the JiDginemen s Certificate Bill, the Trades Disputes Bill, old age pen- sions, etc., are also dealt with in the report. whilst it is pointed out that many of the new justices of the peace appointed recently throughout the country are representatives of -ini five, inclnrlin-r Mr T. Oimn, rf /'1(' mo I ':¡n.\ "• In summing up the political situation, M Bell says :—" With the work of the past seven months behind us, I must be candid and say that there has never been in the whole history of Parliament such a record of measures passed by any Government in one Session. This hits been a Session of useful and democratic measures, all of which are to the advantage of the working classes of the country. The Government has almost agreeably surprised its moat sanguine friends with the manner in which it has dealt with the affairs of the country." Trains Without Brake Vans. With regard to the refusal of the Taff Vale Railway Company to provide brake vans for their trains working over the Penarth and Roath branch lines, Mr Bell deals briefly with the contention of the company, and says that the inquiry before the Railway Commissioners has been adjourned in order that trials might take place under the direction of Colonel Yorke. Mr Bell adds :_fI My attention was recently drawn to the fact tha the Rhymney Railway Company were also running trains without brake vans on certain sections of their lines, and that the secretary of our Cardiff No. 2 Branch, who was a guard on the Rhymney Railway, had been dismissed the service for refusing to break the Board of Trade rula by- working a train without a van. I immediately placed the facts before the Board of Trade, and that Department is in communication with the railway company at the present time." Railway Accidents. Mr Bell is pleased to be able to record a decrease of 11 in the number of railway ser- vants killed as compared with 1904.. The figures are T*tal Year. Killed. Injured. Casualties, j 1904 448 14,561 15,009 1905 437 14,335 14,772 Dec. 11 Dec. 226 Dec. 237 Mr R. Bell. M.P., General Secretary. The decreases," adds Mr Bell," are small, but still they show that we are moving in the right direction. I trust the time is not far dis- tant when the annual total of nearly 15,000 casualties to railwavmen will be reduced to what will be, comparatively, a microscopic [ figure. When we consider that one railwayman out of every 1,331 employed by the companies (including clerks and officials) was killed last year, and that one in every 40 was injured, it cannot be denied that there is room for im- provement. This is especially so with regard to particular grades of men. For instance, one shunter out of every 19 employed was killed or injured, and one goods guard or brakesman out of every 21 met the same fate." Speed Warning Lights. In dealing with the Salisbury disaster, Mr Bell says :—" With regard to curves and other circumstances which necessitate reductions in speed there are generally notice boards near j the particular places to warn the men in charge of trains. These notices may serve their pur- pose in the daytime when they are visible to I the men. but it has long seemed to me that something should be devised to notify men working trains at night. I have, therefore, taken the matter up with the President of the Board of Trade, and suggested that lamps, showing twin lights coloured green and white, should be erected at all places where speed should be reduced." The Future. In concluding his report the General Secre. tary thus sums up the position Great as is the work done, there is still greater waiting to be performed. Long hours, low wages, non payment for Sunday labour, and the high rate of accident? are things we must make a deter- mined effort to put dowm, and with thfe'general co-operation of all grades on all railways, united in this common object, weshaJl succeed. The large influx of new members during the current year is encouraging, and I truat no ul. terior objects will be allowed to come in the way to mar the progress we are making." Let everyone remember that the A.S. K.S. is a Trade Union, and that its object is to benefit its own members and that anything not in' harmony with this object which is permitted to come in must injure our progress and pros- perity." Election of President and Chairman. The annual general meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants commenced at the Cory Hall. Cardiff, on Monday afternoon. The business proper was preceded by a reception of the delegates by the Lord Mayor (Alderman Robert Hughes), who, in his robes of office, was accompanied by the town clerk (Mr J. L. Wheatley), and a mace bearer. A welcome to Cardiff wai also accorded the delegates by Mr S. Fisher and Councillor W. S. Crossman, representing the Cardiff Trades and Labour Council. The speeches delivered were in good taste, and the delegates apparently greatly appreciated both the civic reception and the welcome given on behalf of the Trades Council. Mr Richard Bell, M.P.. the general secretary of the Federa- tion, occupied the position of chairman pro, tem., as the chairman of the congress was to be elected later. After the formal reception,, the congress pro- ceeded to business. Toe election of chairman of the congress aroused little competition, and of the three nominees, Councillor J. H. Palin, of Bradford, secured a large majority of votes. Other formal business haying been trans acted, the congress came to the election of president of the society for the ensuing year, for which office there were seven nominations. In this contest Mr J. R. Bell, of Newcastle, had the support of 96 branches, in addition to his own, and received the votes of 38 out of the 60 delegates present, and consequently a clear majority over the other six nominees. A South Wales man in the person of Mr E. Charles, of Quaker's Yard, who had the support of 56 branches, received the second largest number of voles-H. Mr J. Holmes, Cardiff, Organising Secretary South Wales. The interesting question of Parliamentary representation and the L.R.C. was jiist touched upon. The Chairman suggested that in view of the importance of the subject a whole day should be devoted to it, and to this the con- gress assented, to-day (Tuesday) being fixed for the discussion of the matter, and of the other proposed amendments to rules dealing with the salaries and position of the Parlia- mentary representatives. The appeals against decisions of the Execu- tive Committee refusing to grant protection benefits to members who had been dismissed from the employ of various railway companies led to discussions which occupied the greater part of the afternoon. The most interesting of thase locally was the case of Charles Lewis, a guard, who had been dismissed by the Taff Vale Railway Company because of an accident -a runaway train-at Quaker's Yard. After appealing to the directors of the company against his dismissal, without effect, Lewis obtained employment on the Barry Railway as brakesman at lower wages than he had pre- viously been paid, and congress last year decided to make up the difference in his earn- ings. It was now, on the initiative of the Merthyr Branch, sought to make up the full grant to £ 50, and after the case had been fully discussed the congress decided by a large majority to accede to the application. Two other cases-one of a driver on the City and South London Railway and the other of a waggon examiner on the North Bri ish Railway, were also dealt with, and it is proof of the idelega: es' senge of justice that they declined to grant the appeal of one of these men whose conduct, it. was asserted, did not justify the interference ..f congress. Some little amusement was caused when it became known that Mr Moar, an organising secretary in Ireland, had not "lit in an appearanre at the ■ i!); :n; :t'f1!rt'I"=:. t. f,t ),is COM- I patriots in fervid Irish style tried to defend his absence, the cry, Send for Mear." was. amid laughter, embodied in a vote and carried by a large majority, Mr Bell at once proceeding to telegraph to the absent delegate.

Mr Bell and the L.R.C. RAILWAYMEN'S DECISION. HON. MEMBER'S SHARP REPLY. It was a field day on Tuesday for the dele- gates of the A.S.R.S. assembled at Cardiff By arrangement the previous day, the amendment to Rule 13 proposed by the Executive Com- mittee, to the effect that all Parliamentary candidates should be called upon to sign and accept the conditions of the Labour party, and be subject to their Whips, was down for dis- cuss ion. The entire working day of the Con- srresi—9 a.m. till 5.30 p.m., with an hour's in- terval for lunch—was taken up by the subject. The speeches of all who took part were sin- gularly able, and were relieved by frequent interjections which, generally speaking, were as good humoured as they were effective. Mr Bell's replv to the decision of the Con- gress was a remarkably vigorous one. Speak- ing without any show of feeling he hit out straight. He was especially severe on some of the leaders ofthe Independent Labour Party, and did not mince matters. The speech created almost a sensation, and impressed even the advanced section of the I.L.P. supporters. There was no concealment of the fear that a crisis has been created in the ranks of the A.S.R.S., and that the split in the Labour ranks might spread to other Trade Ü nion organisations. The proposed amendment to rule 13, i.e.. that all candidates shall sign and accept the conditions of the Labour party, and be subject to their Whip." was then discussed. After an animated discussion it was de- cided to take the vote, the result of which was that the amendment was carried by 31 to 22. MR BELL'S REJOINDER. Chairman then suggested that they should take the decisions on the resolutions of the seven branches dealing with Labour repre- sentation. and this was agreed to. The resolu- tion of Leeds No 2. and six other branches. calling upon the general secretary to join the Labour party in the House of Commons and sign the constitution of that body, was then moved and seconded. Mr Richard Bell, M.P on rising to reply, said that during the discussion on the previous question everything was wrong about Bell The last speaker said everything good about Bcll-(laughter)-and did not desire to coerce him or anything else. It had now come to his turn. He thought he should give them enough to satisly himself by the time he sat down, and he should commence his address on that occa- sion certainly on right lines, because he was goil1 to use a quotation from JaUles Ramsay McDonald, and according to some that gentle- man could 'do and say nothing wrong. His words were, Perhaps [ like a fight better than I ought to, especially when somebody else begins, and no colour of mine will come down nntil the row is over." iAppfause.) Those were his (Mr Bell's) sentiments, and no dele- gate at that congress could say that he was responsible for beginning the fight on that occasion. He did think and he did bope that after threshing the matter out for two years in succession, after Executive Committee after Executive Committee had threshed it out, that the members of the A.S.R.S. and those who take a leading part in the society as much as those who compose this congress to- day, ought to have known their Richard Bell better than to continue bringing this up time after time. I have come to this conclusion—it does seem to be nothing more nor less than Socialistic Persecution of a, man who refused to swallow their doctrine." (Load applause.) Continuing, Mr Bell said he had heard a good deal—particularly from thoir friend Mr Hall, of Leicester—of expres sions of surprise as to where certain journals got information from. He haa a cutting from the Leicester PIOneer" of June 6th last. It was a pure Labour party paper, and no Labour party paper could lie. They never misrepre- sented or said anything that was not correct. (Ironical laughter.) That paper, in reporting a meeting of the No. 1 branch of the A.S.R.S., said someone had beeD pent giving his re- port, and in reference to what had been said a member, commenting on it, remarked that there were better fish in the sea than ever came out of it. and it would be well to clear Bell out altogether and try someone else. And we wonder," observed Mr Bell in scathing tone?, where certain journals get matter to come to the conclusion that there is an effort to drive Bell out of public life. Hero is the Leicester No. 1 branch reporting it. I fancy I can hear the voice in reading it." (Laughter, and hear, hear.) Mr Bell added that Mr Wbite, who represented Derby, said he did not desire to coerce him. What had they done by their last decision ? The advanced section of the Labour party were trying to gull the working men, and had gulled them, and by their gulling misled them. They had got a good many to support them on the last occasion whom they would not have on a future occasion. (Hear, hear.) When he stood for Derby on a future occasion he would not be supported by the finllonces of the AS RS., but he had no doubt he would have sufficient assistance in contesting the con- stituency, because his record was behind him to judge him by, not any futile promises, and it miht be tbat be would be opposed by Lord Ribblesdale's son as a Labour candidate, or Dr. Stanton Coit, of Hyde Park Gate. He had nothing to say against Lord Ribblesdale's son, but it was prostituting the Sacred Name of Labour when they got some of the greatest capitalists in the country and put them up as Labour men, and that against men who had spent the ) whole of their lives in the interests of Labour. (Hear, hear.) There did seem to him to be an important factor in connection with Parlia- mentary representation that many of the dele- gates unfortunately did not wait to consider. They seemed to think that it was they who re- turned him to the House of Commons. They forgot that the electors in the constituency did it. (Hear, hear.) On every occasion that the society bad raised that question he had gone down to his sponsors in Derby, namely, the Trades Council and they had men as intelli- gent and as smart, and had the interests of Labour at heart as much as anyone in that room. Thev had threshed the matter out, and they asked him not to sign the constitution. The society's branches in Derby bad not asked him, and surely a constituency had a right to make some kind of dictation to its representa- tive. The people of Derby had been faithful to me," said Mr Bell, and I shall be faithful to Derby in spite of your decision." (Applause.) And if I am to be Driven Out of Parliament I will be driven out by the electors of Derby. (Applause.) And I suppose none of you will question as to where I snail get my funds from," He appealed to the whole of the mem- bers of the society to abide loyally by the decision arrived at, and not to allow any dis- union to come into the ranks of the society. They had just undertaken a great movement, to which he had been looking forward with a great deal of interest and anxiety, hoping to do something to lift tbe burdens of those employed on their railways but there were men, there were men in that congress, who had not that interest in the movement, otherwise they would not have introduced a subject of that kind, which was calculated to wreck the harmony and the unity necessary to the welfare of the society. If they were to have harmony it was not by coercing men. I am to-day," said Mr Bell, as strongly as ever I have been in favour of Labour representation, as much as any man in this congress or out of it, but I want gauuine, bona-fide Labour representation, and not sham and hypocritical representAtion," (Applause.) Mr Keir Hardie had admitted that the I.L.P. was a means to an end, and That That End was Socialism. He (Mr Bell) went into the House of Commons in 1900 strictly on the lines laid down by that society, from which he had not deviated one single inch. Tbe same could be said of the election of 1906. His contests were on absolutely independent lines. He never/ entered a Liberal committee-room during-- the whole of the campaign, and was never on a Liberal plat- form. He had his own agent. his own workers and his own literature, and if there could be anything more independent than that he would like to know it. He found there was not that independence with some of those who had signed the ticket. For example, he found that both the members far Leicester were on the platform together in the contest. Then, again, there was the case of Wolverhampton, where the member, Mr Richards, was approached by the Liberal executive, and received their support. Mr Richards might have been wise in accepting this, but where was the constitution If he (Mr Bell) thouhtthatsigningthe constitution would ad: ance tbe railwaymen's movement he would be the first to sign it He had been 28 years a member of the A.S. R.S., both as an ordinary member and in his official capacity, and he was not the one to stand in the way of a single thing that was going to promote the interests of the society. (Bear, hear) A good deal had been sail about the attitude of certain yel- low" journals on this question, II but there was no journal, however yellow, that could excel certain Labour journals For Lying and Dishonesty." (Applause.) Objection had been taken in cer- tain quarters to John Bprns accepting office at a year. But what aboat Philip Snow- den ? He was writing for 25 papers a week. two of them daily papers, and receiving £1,500 to £2,000 a year in payment. He mentioned this to show that the working classes of this country were being deliberately deceived and deiuded by representatives of the Indepen- dent Labour Party. Some day all this bluff would be found out, and the reaction would be considerably greater than it was before. (Ap- plause.) I challenge anyone," said Mr Bell, to say that I have at any time committed any act in connection with my Parliamen'ary duties that was againsJPthe interests of Labour. (Applause.) If [ have not done so, then what other conclusion can you come to than that I hold, viz., that the hands of the Trade (TDionists of this country are being forced Jn order that its funds might go for the maintenance of those who belong to apolitical party ?" (Applause.) For the I.L P. was a political organisation, just as the Tory and Liberal parties were political organisations, and neither of the three was in harmony with the Trade Union movement. He noticed that there had been a discussion iitno'isst The South Wales Miners as to whether they should join the L.R.C. oi not, and the I.L.P. had had the impertinenct to interfere instead of leaving the matter be tween the miners and their officials. He hac also noticed that men had been imported tc tell the Welsh miners what they ought to do one of whom had been fined for beating his wife. (" Oh !") That was the sort of man they sent to guile the innocent miners into joining the L.R.C. He challenged any I.L.P. man tc say that men like William Abraham, who had led the Welsh miners for 30 years, was not a fitting leader for the men in this matter, and was not a type of the true Labour representa- tive. And what of Enoch Edwards, the presi- dent of the Miners' Federation ? Who would dare to stand up and say that these were not Labour representatives of the pure and genuine and bona fide kind ?—(applause)—and not the sort who drew their Incomes of Thousands a Year from where no one knew, and, he supposed, none cared so long as they were in reach of some of it. (Laughter and applause,) In con. clusion, Mr Bell, said, Let us have a ballot on the question and see what the members have to say. (Applause.) I have been subjected to this persecution, tyranny, and now coercion, for three years, and I know that the policy of the majority of the members is against it. Then why not have a ballot ? Take your courage in both hands. If you think your policy is the policy of the majority, why hesi- tate about it ? The members are entitled to it. I am sorry to say that many of them will demand it. We have twelve or twenty thou- sand who will refuse to pay their Parliamentary contribution if the decision of to-day is adhered to. I challenge this A.G.M. or any other to throw out 20,000 members. (Applause.) I ask you to agree that a Ballot of the Members be taken, and let the matter be settled definitely once and for all. As the leading official of the society, as the mouthpiece of the society I,- A Voice And its servant. Mr Bell Yes, but not the servant of every fooL who chooses to take a course opposed to the society's interests. (Loud applause.) I ask you to have this ballot. (Loud applause.) MR HUDSON'S RETORT. Mr Wheatley (Huddersfield) having pro- posed that a vote be taken, Mr W. liudson, M.P., contradicted the statement that there was ever a bargain between the Labour party and the Liberal party of Leicester which pre- vented the former patting a candidate in the field. Further, it was not true that Lord Ribblesdale's son Was qualified for being a Labour candidate, or that the Labour party as a party had attacked Mr John Burns. They had suffered too much from such misstatements, and they should not be made in congress- As a party they were pre- pared to take responsibility for their actions. Mr Hudson then dealt with the charge that they did not act fairly at the opening Session of Parliament, after which he said that they were accused at an early meeting of their society this year by their general secretary of being discourteous- He said it in all serious- ness that he had not found anyone in the House of Commons more discourteous than Mr Bell himself, and be should be the last to make complaints- They would find that those who made the complaints and shouted the loudest were the most intolerant of anyone. Mr Bell: I don't think you can prove that, Walter, Mr Hudson said that during the past two years and during the last Session, of all the men in the House of Commons Richard Bell was the only one wbohad never lent new mem- bers a helping hand. The statement that the Labour Party had attacked Mr Bell was un- true the Labour Party for the last two year3 had never mentioned his name. Mr Bell Well, members of it. Mr Hudson strongly advised the general secretary to lay his charges against individuals and not against the party. After further discussion it was decided on the motion of Mr Denton (Leeds) to take a vote. This resulted in five voting for the resolution and \3 against, several being neutral.

MR BELL AND HIS FUTURE. Remarkable Speech at the Banquet. In the evening the delegates and others, in many cases accompanied by their wives, sat down to dinner at the Pprk Hotel, given by Messrs W. R. Davies and E. C. Nash, local solicitors of the A malgamated Society of Railway Servants. Mr W. R. Davies pre- sided, and amongst those supporting him were the Lord Mayor (Alderman R. Hughes), Mr R. Bell, M.P., Mr E. C. N"b, Councillor W. H. D. Caple, Mr G. A. Seccombe, Mr J. Holmes, Councillor W. H. Renwick, Councillor W. 'Roberts, Councillor J. Chappell, J.P., Councillor J. Taylor, and Mr Jas. Williams (assistant general secretary A.S.R.S.). The Chairman submitted the loyal toast, and Councillor W. Roberts The Housea of Parliament." Mr R. Bell, M.P., on rising to respond to the toast was received with great enthusiasm. He said:" I certainly cannot understand that loud applause. I have been called upon to respond to the same toast as last night, but under different circumstances. Last night I was a representative. of the railwavmen in the House of Commons with, as far as I knew, the full confidence of the members of the society I represent. But to-night I am not in that position. Everyone has a little feeling, and after the treatment I received to-day at the hands of the delegates I cannot respond so heartily as I did last night to the toast of the House of Commons. (A Voice Never mind that.) Possibly at the next elec- Councillor J. Taylor, Cardiff, Active Member of the Local Committee. tion I may become a member of the House' of Lords. (Laughter ) At any rate. it seemg clear [ shall not be a representative in the House of Commons of the railwaymcn, but I hope to be at any rate a representative of Derby —even under any circumstances. (Hear, hear.) Therefore, seeing you have another member of Parliament to respond, I leave it to him, be. cause as one of the 30 Labour members he can do more justice to the House of Commons than I can." Having said this, Mr Bell, smiling, resumed his seat This attitude of the hon. member was evidently unexpected, and it created some- thing Jike a sensation in the room. No refer- ence was, however, made to it by subsequent speakers. Mr Wardle, M.P- for Stockport, also re- sponded, asserting that the intelligence of the House of Commons had been heightened by the return of so many Labour members. The House of Commons, he urged, must be made to conform to the democratic aspirations of the people. (Applause.) Councillor W. H. Renwick, in proposing success to the A S.R.S., referred to the great work Mr R. Belt, M.P., had done for the society, mentioning in particular his speech on a particillar raili,,vay Bill, and how the in- terests of that Society were protected on that occasion by Mr Bell-* (Applause.) Mr James Williams and Mr E. C. Nash re- sponded. Other toasts followed.

MR BELL INTERVIEWED. Effect of the Decision. One of our rel)relelitatives interviewed Mr Richard Bell at the clcse of the meeting on Tuesday, and asked him what would be the effect of the decision of the congress. Mr Bell, who looked anything but dismayed at the action of the delegates, smiled and said: Well, the e £ f.ret of the decision is t<> o<i:n'l

TH'E IDEAC |j Greece seldom emerged from their contests without* J| H some severe bruise or gaping wound, and to anoint* each jSm flfl was to combine power with purity, and among modern preparations this fill Ordinary ointments, salves, and embrocations, are generally composed III of rancid animal fats and mineral poisons. The skin cannot, absorb them ||| on account* of their coarseness, and they are exceedingly harmful to a M i|||||f| Ip Zam-Buk, on the contrary, is a vegetable healing balm of remarkable 111 If ra|p|| g| purity and acknowledged efficacy. It, is composed of the highly refined pll ■ 1|| saps and juices got> from certain rich medicinal herbs, is unique and superior S 1 S^j||< When the little one runs in from his play with A wry face and a smart,- I H I sfl^||| IH ing, dirt-filled scrape on his knee, simply wash the part and smear with B js|l| Zam-Buk, bamlaging if necessary. When fa-ther returns from work with a cut hand, the handy box of Za-m-Buk again meets the emergency, and the housewife or mother con- tinuaUy nnds it a real friend in need for the burns she receives while cooking, the scalds of a washin- day, or the knocks and bruiser, of The children like Zam-Buk because it is so cooling, soothing, and pleasant. Wt FRRK RAY Their elders value it still more highly because it is perfectly I 111 f ttfilVDUA. antiseptic, preventing poisoning or festering because it is a ^jlT W 3 natural skin repairer, growing new tissues in Nature's way ||§f|||llfe jlf Gr^knst aikeeCda: and because it is good for the tenderest skin. Every home fDdm trial box: needs a box of Zam-Buk. Oct 6th. 1906 «'7'<!pM. <<-< Buk 4, Bed Crossst., E.G.. and 2/9 per box. 2,9 box-large farmlv nearly 4 ti1JWJ the l/lt. t4,

MASTER AND MATRON. Cardiff Vacancies. The General Purposes Committee of the Cardiff Guardians met on Wednesday to deal with 62 applications for the positions of master and matron of the Workhouse post worth C150 and £75 per annum respectively with house, gas, coal, board, etc. In going through the list the Clerk to the Guardians solemnly read, with regard to the wife of one candidate, age, 38 weight, 17 stones Tremendous laughter was evoked at this, and it was renewed when a member rose and exclaimed, with equal solemnity, I move that she be in, sir." The Board. nowever, re- solved that she and her husband be out." The committeeeventually decided on the fol- lowing short list to go before the board for the final selection: Mr and Mrs J. E. Alcock, ages 39 and 41; six years Wigan Workhouse. Mr and Mrs Herb Everdell, ages 35 and 31 seven years St. Ives Workhouse. Huntingdon. Mr and Mrs J. R. Ingledew, ages 36 and 32 fourteen months York Workhouse. Mr and Mrs G. W. Plews, ages 24 and 25 temporary master Cardiff Workhouse. Mrs and Mrs J. Riley, ages 35 and 36 one year Chester Workhouse.

CILFYNYDD BETTING CASE. —— Application to the Home Secretary, At Pontypridd on Wednesday Alex. Rosser, Coedpenmaen-road. Pontypridd, surrendered to bail on a charge of frequenting a Photographic studio at Cilfynvdd for the purposes of betting, Mr Harold Lloyd, solicitor, Cardiff, stated that his instructions were that the princi pal in this case was convicted a week ago, and was now j serving a term of three months' imprisonment in default of the payment of a fine. It was essential to his (Mr Lloyd's) case that this man should be in court to give evidence. Applica- tion had been made by him (Mr Lloyd) to the Home Secretary for permission to interview this man, but as yet be had received no reply, Under these circumstances he asked the Bench to adjourn the case for a week. The request of Mr Lloyd was granted.

STOP GOING GREY. ABBEST OLD AGE APPEARANCE. RETAIN YOUTH AND VIGOUR. MINISTER'S ADVICE AND THE ASTOUNDING RESULT. I Hetr Cohen, the world famonR Lecturer and Traveller. HERRGUSTAVUS COHEN, Middleton, Llandudno, writes d- At one time I had a fine bead of jet black hair, but daring my recent travelsa broad, in the Holy Land, and in America, my hair began to fall oat, and was becomins erev very rapidly, owin;?, I think, to the intense heat, and COD- tinnnl travelling in the deserts and the prairies of the Western States. By the time I reached Eneland I had lost nearly half irrhilir. Aminister with whom 1 am acquainted in Liverpool advised me to take Dr. Cassell's Tablets. I have tiLkeLi six a day for nearly three months, and I am delighted to report that rny hair has entirely stopped fp Umr, out, and ia growihg naturally apain. It has alto ceased going prey in fact, I am not 10 grey as I was three months ago. I never gave a testimonial before In my life, bot I feel that I must reeord these fact. DR. CABSRLL S FLESH-FORMING and STRENGTHENINGTAHLETS create NERVE, BLOOD, HEAI,TRY FLRSH. STRENGTH. VITALITY, PREVENTPREMATURE GKEYNKSri, and delay Old Age Appearance. The remedy of t.r8 and scientific mD thoperfcction of medieinewor weak decaying nervea and body in yoiiDg and old. Ask tor Dr. Cassell's Flesh-Forming & StrenRth- ening Tablets, price 10id and 28 9d per bottle. Sold by all Chgmists, or poort free from the famous Dr. CRSSBII'R CO., Ltd,, King-trcct Wrst. Manchester. ADVK T F; T:V L'J 21:0

Treorky Male Choir. DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA. Concert Tour in the United States. After a farewell concert at Noddfa Chapel. Treorky, on Wednesday evening the Royal Welsh Male Choir, Treorky, left cn Thursday morning on their American tour, travelling in a special coach provided by the London and North-Western Railway. That the choir will be accorded a warm wel- come on the other side of the Atlantic is cer- tain. Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), as president of the choir, and Judge H. M. Edwards, one of the most popular of American Welshmen, who takes a keen interest in the welfare of the choir, have issued a joint appeal to the Welshmen of America to give the choir a fitting reception. Already the James B. Pond Lyceum Bureau have secured between 50 and 60 engagements for the choir, with fees guaranteed, and inquiries are still coming in daily. It is pro- bable that the tour will be extended in order to include Canada. The first American concert will be given at Wilkesbarre, where a public banquet is being arranged in honour of the event, and the two following nights concerts will be held at Scranton, where Judge Edwards resides. The choir will visit the leading towns in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Philadelphia, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. The choir. of which Maboti is president. Councillor W. P. Thomas chairman, and Mr J. T. Austin the indefatigable secretary, will be conducted by Mr W. Thomas, whifst Mr Ilutjh Hughes will act as accompanist. The soloists will be Miss Alicia Maud Cove, Treorky (soprano). Miss Eva Hall, Ferndale (con- tralto), Mr W. Todd Jones (tenor), Mr Felix Evans (tenor), Mr Aneurin Edwards (baritone), and Mr D. Davies, Pontypridd (bass).

WEST WALES FAILURES. Lampeter Manufacturer's Affairs. CREDITORS' FAVOURABLE OPINIONS. The Carmarthenshire Bankruptcy Court wAs held sit Carmarthen Guildhall on Wednesday, before Mr Registrar Thomas Parkinson, the examinations being conducted by Mr Thos. Thomoas, Official Receiver for the Carmarthen and Swansea districts. Joseph Davies had been trading as Davies Bros., boot and shoe manufacturers," at the Cambrian Shoe Factory, Lampeter, His gross liabilities amounted to £1.662 3s lOd, of which £1.583 Is Id was expected to rank as dividend.the deficiency being £ 473 5s 3d. His failure was said to be due to depression in trade, bad debts, want of capital, sickness in family, and the sudden withdrawal of his brother's capital from the business. The receiving order, which was made on debtor's own petition on August 16th, was filed through the issne of a writ upon him at the instance of a creditor. The bankrupt stated he commenced business in October, 1885, in co-partnership with three of his brothers, with a borrowed capital of £100. Two of the brothers had since died, and the partner- ship between the debtor and the surviving brother, John Davies, was dissolved in Novem- ber, 1904, on the payment of 9700 to the retir- ing partner, Of this amount -2300 was paid at the time a balance of 2284 17s was still owing, and formed part of the present liabili- ties. The Official Receiver explained that debtor was far from well in health, and it transpired that the creditors had accepted a composition of lis in the C, and had spoken very creditably at the Bristol meeting of debtor and his brother. The examination of the debtor, who had been a member of the Lam- peter Town Council, was closed. Hotel Keeper's Difficulties. Re Herbert Albert Baxter—Debtor had kept tbe Angel Hotel, St. Mary-street, Cardigan. His gross liabilities totalled 2473 10s 2d, his deficiency being B298 9s Id. The failure was attributed to insufficient trade during the greater portion of the year to pay expenses, want of capital, and pressure by creditors. The receiving order filed on his own petition was made through an execution and a distress for rent having been levied on his effects. He commenced as a licensed victualler at the above hotel in August, 1905. with a capital of £30. The trade expenses were said to be out of all proportion to the gross profit. The hotel and premises were taken by the bankrupt on a seven years' lease at a rent of 940, rising to £65 per annum. On August 10th last the bank- rupt gave notice to the landlord to datermine the lease in September last. This the landlord accepted, but he subsequently levied a distress for 12 months' rent. This ciisiross had been withdrawn on the Official Receiver giving an undertaking to pay the rent. Mr James John, solicitor, Carmarthen, appeared for debtor, whose examination was closed. Household Goods. Re David Davies.—Debtor had been a colliery repairer at Ban field-terrace, Loughor. His gross liabilities came to 993 14s 9J, and his deficiency to 978 14s 9d. His failure was attri- buted to illness and deaths in family, County Court costs, and heavy household expenses. With the exception of 226, stated to have becll borrowed from bis son in December, 1901. all the present liabilities were for household goods. Mr C. J. C. Wilson, solicitor, Swansea, appeared for the debtor, whose examination was closed.

TREDEGAR GAS AND WATER. At a meeting of Tredegar District Council on Tuesday evening, Mr T. Davies presiding, the gas manager (Mr D. W. Davies) reported that an analysis of the coal used in the Coun- cil's gas works resulted in an illuminant of only 9-79 candle-power, whereas the special Act prescribed 14 candle-power. The Tredegar Company had been written to respecting the quality of the coal supplied. It was decided to invite tenders for the supply of the best-known South Wales gas coal. The water manager reported that the water supply was in an ex- ceeding satisfactory condition, and the Council were in a position to give an uninterrupted supply for another month without any rain. It was reported that at the request of Ebbw Vale Council a temporary supply was now being given to the Dukestown and Sirhowy dis- tricts, which are within the Ebbw Vale Coun- cil's area of supply. A general district rate of Is 8d in the £ was agreed upon for Tredegar, and Is 7d in the £ for the Llangvnidr district.

PONTYPRIDD TRAMWAY PROSECUTIONS Two lads. Henry Williams, and Geo. Barnett were fined 3s 6d each at the Pontypridd Court on Wednesday, at the instance of Inspector Roddy, for indulging in the d.angeroui piactice of rifling on an electric car by hanging on to the hand rail. At the same Court Mortimer O'Connot, Treforest, was fined £ 1 for refusing to pay his fare when riding on a tramcar. Mr J. Colenso Jone3, clerk to the Council, prose- < ulcd.

I BERMALINE BREAD The Acme of Perfection. Tell meaot in mournful numbers Life is but an empty dream, Indigestion ne'er enenmbers Those who live on BERMALINE. BERMALINE BREAD Beware of imitations poor, II Thev follow, but cannot endure, The bread to make Dyspepda flee And universally used shall be, BERMALINE." BERMALINE BREAD. 216 Manufactured and sold by all the Pr'nc'??«qg Bakers throughout the United Chronic Chest Trouble- AN INVALID FIVE YEARS- » ,1 Completely Cured by c VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. { A Case that caused wide-spread totool iii Liverpool. Mr. C. FIELD, 17 Desmond Street, Hey^rifl Street, Everton, a gentleman well-ka" Liverpool, writes, June ist, 1906— go ? W. H. Veno, Dear Sir—"About 15 months oed forwarded a full account of how I had been after five years of misery and suffering, astonishing VENO'S-PiA A; NIN G C 0 wi CURE. 1 sfssiDg X X from a dis^^ed s. if cough which s v '? absorb aflo left me as to ^in^ rny fir^pefle<j existence. My MR. FIELD (from photo.) FP^to^bU^$ they all failed to stop my terrible cough or tec ,f{e(' wasted strength. At last,after five yearsof acute ing,relief came^isif byamiracle,inVENO'S LI" j;fa NING COUGH CURE. Until the end of Ptf "p I shall never forget the ease, comfort and be aJ# derived from the contents of the first bottle. prove quite strong now,, and have continued to to- since I sent you my last letter, and am as actrs'S day as any man in Liverpool for my age, which'Rjj I consider VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH the cheapest and safest family remedy any.Pf y0a could have in their home. My object in writing is to express my gratitude to you for my sPle BQl'"lm ASK FOR IfENQS LIGHTNING MS Q&UQH CUR* ■MrajSl The purest aud most efficient WkB procurable for fasa Crfughs, Colds, Bronchi*' bHM Asthma, Catarrh, W Lungs & Children's 9id., 1/1} and 2/9 per *°ttle' At all Chemists and Drug Stores everywhe,^ e r- Do you like m A SOAP THAT IS REALLY REFRESHI"0 fejjl pi]! in hot weather? After cycling, tenn'3" IjlJf jUj or walking, I CALVERT'S] g] Carbolic Toilet Soap It {tH keeps the skin soft and smooth, W Lz removes the unpleasant effects of °u SB Mand perspiration, and leaves, instead, jjjjf delightful feeling of thorough purifioaf10 jifl nj 6d. tablets, 1/6 (2-tab.) boxes, at Chemists. jjsjf Sample free if you send postage—Id- statnP- [21 Made by F. C. CALVERT & Co., Manchester- jj-jf .;¡ "4;& I 4% 1 Everything depends on B | how you enjoy and i I digest the food y,°u i 1 eat. Try Hoe's Sauce i I with it, and. note the ■ i improvement. I 11' I Chapter 24 Fine clothes and costly It is most difficult to £ people to try something key think there is not money involved. ■ There is a lot of nl(?nr^the* volved in the washing or c 0 and in house-cleaning.. g I a j To test the great s hel1 through Fels-Naptha, try it w" you next wash Y0111^ daintiest, most elegant c o You will find Fels-Nap^ soap keeps the clothes soft, sweet and fresh-loo i & But—wash them r6, Naptha way "—no boilm* member. er.,ø# Read directions on wrapp read them carefully. ( Loodon £J FcloNa^a 29 Wi»«n «t«e« London

me to sign the constitution of the L.R.C., when I again become a condidate for Parlia- ment. Dissatisfied at the last two fights we had, the objection to my running, as I always have run, independently of all parties, they have now gained their point. But no coercion of any kind by the Socialist section is going to convince me that I ought to associate myself with any political organisation. There are three political organisations—Liberal, Conser vative, and I.L.P. The latter is opposed to everybody who does not subscribe to its political policy. I am absolutely independent of the I.L.P., as well as the other two parties." WEDNESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. There were no fireworks at Wednesday's meeting of the A.S.R.S. at Cardiff. There certainly were references to the momentous decision of Tuesday, but these were from the minority side. The I.L.P. element, apparently satisfied with their victory, emulated Brer Rabbit, and lay low and said nuffin' on the subject, whilst the chairman, although he is a Socialist, held the scales with commendable impartiality, and did his best to soothe the ruffled feelings of those who felt sore over the decision to compel the society's Parliamentary candidate to sign the L.R.C. constitution. The nearest approach to a flare up was when Mr Richard Bell administered a rebuke to a Socialist delegate for charging him with having lunched with the Board of Trade and railway company's officials when he visited Salisbury to make inquiries into the cause of the accident there. Mr Bell's explanation was generally accepted as thoroughly satisfactory. In effect, he said it would have been churlish to have declined an invitation to lunch, which was ex- tended by gentlemen who gave him every facility to make his own inquires into the cause of the accident on behalf of the railwaymen. Some little excitement was introduced into the proceedings by the decision of the majority of the delegates to recom- mend Mr James Holmes to the Labour party as a Labour candidate for Mid- Glamorgan in the event of the L.R C. de- ciding to contest the seat," but inasmuch as it was merely a pious expression of opinion no importance was attached to it. The majority seemed to quite overlook the fact that the miners in the constituency have the largest say in the matter. The absence of sensationalism ma4e room for progress, and much solid work was got through. In the interests of the society generally, it is perhaps to be regretted that the conference did not accept the resolution to take a ballot of all the members on the subject of affiliation with the L.R.C. But the decision is scarcely likely to end there. Mr Bell predicted that there would be no peace until this was done.