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Monthly Circular.
No. 3.	July.	1915.
TO THE MEMBERS.

Gentlemen,

Abandonment of Annual Gala.

Many circumstances conspired to make it the most proper course to abandon our Annual Demonstration ; and I do not think it is necessary to repeat them here, as they were fully gone into at the time that the Council decided to take this step.

We are all well aware that the character and purpose of these annual functions has materially changed since they were originally formed, inasmuch as it is not now so imperatively necessary that their chief object should be the fostering of the growth of Trades' Unionism. The difficulties and prejudice which existed in the early days of the movement have been largely swept away; and the wisdom and power of collective bargaining is so ingrained in the minds of working men, and the miners in particular, as to make it unnecessary to appeal to them on the same lines as was essential fifty years ago. Yet, in spite of this, he would be a bold man who urged that these meetings were not productive of a large amount of practical good.

In spite of the wonderful development in the power and influence of Trades' Unionism and the immense amount of social and material improvement that has resulted from this collective strength, there still remains a huge field of reforming opportunities that require the unceasing vigilance of those whose aim in life is the betterment of the conditions under which people are called upon to live ; and it is when the march of progress seems to be infinitesimal, compared with the efforts put forward, that one is sometimes tempted to let matters slide.

To me, as to thousands more, our Annual Demonstrations, with their many sided phases of human life, come as a wholesome and stimulating tonic ; and the member who can pass through the streets on the occasion of our Annual Gala and does not feel a conscious pride in the evidence of the power and virility of the forces of organisation confronting him, is fast developing into nothing more or less than a hopeless misanthrope.

To watch the huge crowd of working men, accompanied in numerous instances by their wives and families, all marching in orderly procession, with banners bearing their many phrased mottoes, that we should all strive to live up to, assisted as they are, by the enlivening strains of music, is a sight that can scarcely fail to inspire even the most sluggish minded mortal.

It further affords many opportunities for cementing old friendships and making new ones ; and has an undoubted tendency to take a man out of a narrow or parochial frame of mind, and make his outlook of a broader and more generous aspect.

For these and other reasons, it is a matter of regret to me that we were, for the first time in the history of our Society, compelled by force of most regrettable circumstances to break 44 years sequence of our Annual demonstrations.

As every member is aware, last year saw the inauguration of a Flower Day at our Annual Gala for the benefit of the Aged Miners' Homes movement and, although the Gala was abandoned, I am delighted to be able to say that this particular movement, which ought to appeal to all that is noblest in humanity, did not suffer any loss in consequence, rather, I am informed, it was a most unqualified success ; and although at the time of writing the precise figures were not available, I am assured by the Secretary of the movement, Mr. J. Adair, the return is in excess of last year.

Where everybody in the different localities has worked so energetically to ensure success, it may be somewhat invidious to mention the one or two places that came directly under one's observation ; but I am personally aware that at some collieries the local officials organised processions and comic parades, with the sole object of selling the flowers and adding to the funds ; and the General Committee join with me in saying that the most grateful thanks of all those who are directly concerned in this noble work of endeavouring to make the sunset of the lives of our aged and work-worn toilers a brighter and better one than it otherwise might have been, is due to the noble and unselfish band of voluntary workers who, together with our local lodges, have laboured so assiduously to promote the welfare of a cause divine in conception and purifying in influence.

Government Conference of Miners.

A most unique procedure, and one that constitutes a distinct departure from what may be described as orthodox methods, was the recent meeting, called by the Government, of representatives from every local branch of organised Trades' Unionism in the mining community of Great Britain.

It was a most commendable attempt to get into more direct and immediate touch with the rank and file of mining life than is at all times possible through the medium of the recognised official leadership, and was done with the evident intention of bringing home to the Miners the unparalleled seriousness of the National situation.

I am just a little afraid that many of us have failed to realise the tremendous issues which are involved and the deep gravity of the position ; and probably this can, to a large extent, be accounted for by the fact that living, as we do, on a sea-girt land, with the incomparable protection of a Navy immeasurably superior to that of our foes, enabling us, as it undeniably does, to carry on our commerce with the minimum of inconvenience and loss, the soul-damning influences of war, that have left a lasting impression on the minds of the people in Belgium, have not as yet been able to touch us in that material sense, so essential to kindling in us a true conception of the peril of our present state of affairs. It no doubt requires a large measure of imagination to enable us to thoroughly grasp the possibility of National disaster contained in this European conflict and I doubt if imagination can be claimed as one of the chief characteristics of the English people. Rather are they slow to move, but once they are convinced that there is a paramount need for no effort being spared, then I, for one, have infinite faith in the result being a victory for the cause of freedom and right.

There seems to prevail in the minds of some of our people, and leaders at that, a certain element of doubt as to the righteousness or otherwise of our participation in this War, and with the right of an individual to think and act for himself I am not seriously inclined to cavil ; but the individual who has not, by this time, arrived at a definite conclusion, or pretends that such is the case, merits neither sympathy nor consideration. One can admire the attitude of the individual who, in the face of popular feeling, takes up a definite course, as the result of conviction ; but the man who sits on the fence, first dropping down on one side, then on the other, is too contemptible for words.

It must by now be dawning upon even the most indifferent student of this War's history and progress that we are dealing with a foe whose thoroughness of preparation and wonderful organisation are an unassailable proof of aggressive rather than defensive designs, and whose barbarous and inhuman methods of warfare (I am aware that all war is inhuman and barbarous but it is admitted they have gone beyond the pale of civilised methods) are an indisputable evidence of desire for victory at any cost and by any means. This, together with the fact that defeat for us would not only put back the clock of progress for generations, but might not inconceivably result in a species of slavery, ought to be sufficient to convince every man who possesses a single spark of love for his Country that the road to national and industrial salvation lies in the prosecution of this war to a successful issue.

It was in furtherance of this aim the Conference was convened ; and, after listening to the exceedingly able and eloquent speeches of Sir John Simon, Lloyd George and others the following resolution was unanimously carried :—

"That in the opinion of this Meeting, representative of the Coal Mining Industry of Great Britain, every effort should be made by owners and workmen alike to secure the greatest possible output of coal in the interest of the Nation during the period of the War."

I take it that the unanimity with which this resolution was passed was a clear indication that the delegates realised that the situation was such as called for more than a pious expression of opinion, and that we were prepared, as a class, to do all that was humanly possible to give practical effect to the same.

In pursuance of this object, it is quite possible that we may shortly be approached with a view to relaxing some of the more stringent regulations that tend to seriously retard the output; and in view of the unmistakably clear and emphatic assurance given by Sir John Simon in the name of the Government, that any regulation that Trades Unionists might see fit to suspend, would only be for the period of the War, to be ultimately restored to them in full ; I feel confident that the Durham Miners who are always ready and willing to discharge any legitimate obligation, will not be inclined to shirk any reasonable demand that can be shown to be in the interests of those who are fighting for their Country in this supreme time of need.

The grave fear existing in the minds of our members is that any increased effort they may put forward will largely go to make greater profits for the Owners, without bringing any recompense to the men themselves for the physical deterioration that invariably follows working at excessive pressure ; and, further, to piece workers might easily mean such reduction in their piece rates as would eventually mean that a human being was converted into a machine, constantly required to turn out a maximum of work to justify its existence.

I need scarcely say that this could not for a single moment be tolerated ; and the employers who attempted it would be guilty of so ignoble and base a type of exploitation as to bring down upon them the execration and contempt of all right thinking people.

I am optimistic enough to believe that any experience of this kind will not require to be faced in our County, and my optimism is based on what transpired at our last Joint Committee Meeting held on July 15th.

At this particular meeting certain Owners were seeking reductions, and in response to an appeal from our side, it was unanimously agreed to waive their claims.

This course of action was one that redounded to their credit, and impressed our side of the Joint Committee with the belief that such of the Owners, or their representatives, as were present on that occasion thoroughly realised that the interests of shareholders were, after all, secondary to that of the Nation and that the abnormal conditions under which we are at present existing called for other than routine methods

I am hopeful that this wise and proper spirit will prevail during the period of the war ; and am sanguine that once our members are convinced that the sacrifices which the welfare of the Nation makes imperative upon everybody are being mutually shared, then the mining classes will cheerfully accept their full quota.

Mr. House reports the work of the Compensation Committee held on July 5th :—

Fatal Cases.

Fatal Cases

Lodge	Name	Age	Occupation
Low Beechburn	G., Appleby	27	Hewer
South Moor (Morrison)	John, Jackson	58	Stoneman
Ryhope	J. H., Robson	16	Driver
Horden	F. B., Sutton	14	Driver

Non-fatal Cases.

Non-fatal Cases

Lodge	Name	Age	Occupation
Eldon	Matthew, Birch	48	Hewer
Marsden	George, Capewell		Hewer
Houghton	James A., Ellis	16	Driver
Marsden	Henry, Ellwood	20	Putter
Morrison Pit	Edward, Gradon	21	Rope Man
Usworth	William, Longworth	16	Lamp Cabin Boy
Marley Hill	Robert, McNeal	42	Hewer
South Moor (Morrison)	John, Miller	62	Stoneman
Ryhope	John, Mulholland	32	Labourer
Dawdon	Hugh, Murphy	21	Putter
Usworth	Thomas, Pearson	19	Putter
Bowden Close	J. M., Pinnington	19	Helper-up
Houghton	Henry, Reed	53	Stoneman
Ravensworth	Edward, Roach	15	Screen Lad
Horden	Alfred, Spencer	25	Shifter
Usworth	George, Trueman	35	Screener
Chopwell	G., Wallace	40	Coal Hewer

Durham, July 1915. T. H. Cann.

 

Source:

NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/1/6/40, D.M.A. Minutes, Circulars etc. for 1915 (two volumes: covers Jan-Jun, Jul-Dec)