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Monthly Circular.
No. 8.	December.	1915.
TO THE MEMBERS.

Gentlemen,

Presentation to Mr. Geo. Hepple.

Those of our delegates who were privileged to be present at the final Council meeting held at 16, North Road, Durham, on October 23rd, 1915, will remember that it was revealed, in response to a question from our Chairman, that one delegate only was in attendance who was also present at the first Council meeting held in the same Hall.

To Mr. George Hepple, of Harraton, belonged that remarkable distinction.

It was felt that so outstanding, if not unique, occurrence was one that deserved to be commemorated in some tangible form ; and it was readily left in the hands of our Executive Committee and Agents to obtain a small present to be handed over to Mr. Hepple to record so conspicuous an incident in the historical life of our Society. The presentation took the form of a gold watch, which was inscribed as follows :—

PRESENTED TO GEORGE HEPPLE,

By the Durham Miners' Association, to commemorate the fact that he was the only delegate present at the first and last Council meetings held in the Miners' Hall, 16, North Road, Durham,

June 3rd, 1876,

October 23rd, 1915.

The task of presenting the same was allotted to our Chairman, Alderman House; and additional historical interest was lent to the proceedings by the fact, that it was presented at the conclusion of the first Council meeting held in the New Miners' Hall at Red Hill, Durham.

The President, in the course of an extremely felicitous speech, commented on the almost unprecedented character of the event that had occasioned the presentation, and how it fell to the lot of few men to have the unique honour of being an official representative at the first and also the final meeting held in a building erected for the use of the Society; and in congratulating Mr. Hepple on the fact that he had officially outlived the usefulness of the original building he expressed the hope that, in spite of his having passed the allotted span, he might be spared for many years to the cause of Trades Unionism, of which he was so loyal and staunch a supporter.

Mr. Hepple, in accepting the gift, said he was deeply sensible of the kindness of the Council, and would always remember and cherish the occasion as one of the proudest moments of his life; and, so long as health and strength permitted, he would continue to do whatever he could in the interests of those he represented; and, to quote the words of the late W. Crawford, "whenever he gazed upon the face of the watch, it would serve to remind him of their generous appreciation, and the ticking of the watch would not fail to recall the many kind words that had been said of him that day."

A few words on the personality of Mr. G. Hepple may not be out of course.

The only description which can be said to fittingly apply is, that he is a fine example of the old school of Trades Unionists, who, nurtured, as they were, under conditions ill calculated to develope that polish and refinement which only early education can lay the foundation of, yet still remained one of nature's gentlemen; impervious to the temptations that frequently beset the path of those who are called upon to represent their fellow men, a devoted friend, and, though a resolute foe, withal a scrupulously fair one.

Despite his advanced years, he yet remains hale and hearty, with a spirit for the Cause which is unimpaired. The delegates who were at the Council on October 23rd will remember with pride the eloquent and reminiscent speech he delivered on that occasion and, I ant fain to confess that the vigorous style in which it was delivered, was at once the admiration and envy of many of us who were years younger.

So long as the cause of Trades Unionism can produce and retain supporters of the stamp of our friend, Hepple, it is bound to live and flourish. I am certain that our members will join our Chairman and myself in the earnest hope that he may be spared for many years yet to continue the service to which his life has been devoted.

Annual Review.

I am continuing the practice of giving an annual review of our numerical strength, together with financial position of our Society.

It will be noted that the full membership of the Society is considerably reduced this year; but this is accounted for by the fact that we have over 30,000 of our members serving their Country, the bulk of whom we earnestly hope will be restored to us, safe and sound before our next annual review.

The year gone by has made history in a sense that we hope will never be repeated; but, owing to the military requirements, work has been plentiful for those who have been left at home to carry on the industrial and commercial affairs of the Nation; with the result that, from a financial point of view, the Society is in a considerably better position than was the case at the commencement of the year, an overdraft at our Bankers of £29,496 5s. 11d., having been converted into a credit balance of £9,693 18s. 8d., and this, in addition to the fact that we have built and practically paid for a New Miners' Hall.

Pleasing as it is to draw attention to the general improvement in our financial position, there yet remains one branch of our Association which has, and I am afraid is likely to continue to occasion us a good deal of grave concern, and that is our Sick Fund.

It will be noted that, in spite of reduced benefits and increased contributions, there is a loss on the year's working.

The time has not yet arrived when it can be definitely determined how far the somewhat recent increase in the contributions is likely to save the situation ; but my own feeling is anything but optimistic, and, in the near future, we shall be required to give this question our sincere consideration, always remembering, with a full sense of responsibility, the many obligations which have through the course of years devolved upon us, and the urgent necessity there is for using every reasonable endeavour to avoid perpetrating any serious injustice to thousands of our best members.

I am not proposing to go fully into this matter at the present stage, but believe it to be my duty to call the attention of the members to what is happening at some of our branches.

One instance in particular will serve as an illustration.

A father and three sons in one house were members of the Sick Fund. The father, of course, had arrived at an age which not only precluded him from joining any other Sick Fund, but had made him more of a liability than an asset to the Fund; yet, regardless of the fact that over a period for which they had paid twelve pounds in contributions, they had drawn thirty-four pounds in cash benefits, the sons were withdrawn from the Sick Fund, leaving the father as a present and future liability.

I am hoping that this kind of most reprehensible conduct is not very prevalent, as I am loth to think that many of our members can be so far lost to a sense of what is right and proper as to endeavour to shelve their burdens, and more particularly of their own kindred, upon the shoulders of others.

It constitutes so palpable an antithesis to the principles of Trades Unionism that I hope the mentioning of it will prevent any further occurrence of the kind.

Death of Albert Stanley, M.P.

It is again my melancholy duty to record another great loss that the Trades Union movement has sustained owing to the death of Mr. Albert Stanley, M.P.

I have had frequent opportunities of estimating Mr. Stanley's worth and ability at the various important Conferences that have been held in connection with the Miners' Federation of Great Britain ; and he frequently was in charge of the Business Committee, and one could not fail to be impressed with the clear and lucid manner in which he interpreted the proceedings of the Conferences for Press and other purposes. always displaying that intelligent grasp of affairs which denoted the shrewd and capable business man.

It was not very often that he intervened in the debates, but, when he did so, he was always worth listening to, expressing himself in a vigorous and ready manner, and with that evidence of mastery of the subject under discussion that can only come as the result of diligent study.

His obvious sincerity was another outstanding feature; and despite the invariably outspoken character of his debating power, he was yet scrupulously fair, never descending to personalities, but strictly confining his criticisms to the points at issue.

During these last few years the cause of Labour has had its ranks sadly depleted of many of the pillars of the Movement; and last, but not least, comes the lamentable loss of Mr. Albert Stanley.

He was a most conspicuous example of that type of leader who eventually triumphed over the many difficulties which the circumstances of their early life imposed upon them, and with the limited opportunities for self-improvement that came their way, yet by sheer perseverance, and an indomitable desire to become useful citizens, attained a position that commanded the respect and goodwill of their fellow-men.

Fortunate it is that the influence of the lives of men like our friend, Stanley, remain with us as an inspiration for the future; and if the younger generation emulate the noble example that the life of Albert Stanley provides us with, then we can look forward to the future in the sure and certain hope that brighter and better days are in store for the toiling masses.

---

Mr. House reports the decisions of the Compensation Committee, held on December 6th, as follows:—

Fatal Cases.

Fatal Cases

Lodge	Name	Age	Occupation
St. Hilda	Frederick, Jarvis	15	Landing Lad
Brandon	Thomas, Parrish	16	Landing Lad

Non-fatal Cases.

Non-fatal Cases

Lodge	Name	Age	Occupation
Follonsby	John, Armstrong	64	Underground Fireman
Sherburn House	Robert, Beetham	45	Hewer
North Biddick	George, Burnett	19	Pony Putter
Sherburn House	John, Carman	18	Putter
Dean and Chapter	Michael, Carmedy	33	Hewer
Charlaw (Witton Pit)	Joseph, Cartledge	47	Stoneman
Ryhope	John, Cassidy	18	Endless-Rope Lad
Houghton	Edward, Charlton	78	Wasteman
Marsden	James, Cooper	27	Hewer
Felling	J., Cummings	19	Driver
Horden	Robert, Cushlow	32	Hewer
East Hetton	Thomas, Dinning	64	Hewer
Beamish, Air Pit	John George, Dodds	18	Rope Lad
Wheatley Hill	Thomas Alexander, Donkin	15	Driver
Ryhope	Luke, Dono (Scorer)	59	Coal Hewer
Thornley	George A., Liddle	22	Shifter
Wheatley Hill	William, McGrath	21	Pony Putter
Greenside	Thomas, McLeod	60	Shifter
Eden	John, Proud	51	Stoneman
Shildon Lodge	John, Smith	13	Token Lad
Hebburn	George, Snowball	39	Hewer
Leasingthorne	Joseph B., Watson	14	Driver
Dean and Chapter	William, Whitehouse	52	Hewer

Durham, December 1915. T. H. Cann.

 

Source:

NEEMARC - Ref: NUMDA/1/6/41, D.M.A. Minutes, Circulars etc. for 1916 (one volume: covers Jan-Jun)