The Cardiff Times

Railwaymen's Congress. ABSENT TAFF VALE WORKMAN. Mr R. Bell's Strong Strictures. I ALLEGED VINDICTIVENESS. I The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants r an Monday opened its annual meeting at Peter- borough. Seventy officials and delegates, repre- senting branches of the society over the whole of the United Kingdom, were present. They in- cluded Mr W. G. Loraine, president of the society Mr Richard Bell, M.P., general secre- tary Mr J. Williams, assistant secretary Mr J. Holmes, Mr W. Hudson, Mr J. Dobson, Mr A. Mear, and Mr J. G. Muir, organising secre- taries. Mr Bell announced that a delegate from Aber- jare named Robert Lewis had been refused leave )f absence by the Taff Vale Railway Company, although he had exerted strenuous efforts to )btain such leave. A letter dated October 3rd Nas sent him from the Taff Vale Railway Office, laying that owing to the large number of ab- oentees through illness, accident, and other causes, the granting of further leave had been stopped for the time being, and the application could not be granted. This letter (said Mr Hel]) (lid not appear to him to agree with the circuin- stances of the case as they really were. There was a dispute at one or two collieries in ihe Taff Vale district. This would relieve that railway of the necessity of running five or six of their mineral trains, and he (Mr Bell) could scarcely believe that the refusal < o Lewi 3 of leave of absence was due to the fact that the company could not relieve a man so much as it was due to vindictiveness against the members of their society. He hoped he was wrong in his view, but it appeared from all the indications which they had had from the management of that par- ticular railway that anything and every.bine that could be done to obstruct the society was done. Furthermore, they had been led to baliev'e that the Taff Vale Railway was the safest place on earth, and they had the general manager's evidence that it was safer to ride on buffers than in a brake van. He (Mr Bell) was consequently at a loss to understand how so many men could be absent from that railway on account of acci- dent ana illness. He hoped that the mseting woutdmarkittmeaseof its disapproval of. this I vindictive spirit on the part of this one railway company. He also hoped that other railway companies would not take up an attitude similar to that of the Taff Vale, otherwise there would I be more revo!ts than there were at present. Mr Henderson, of Newcastle, moved that the secretary wire to the general manager of the Taff Vale Company asking that Lewis be granted leave of absence, and in the event of the general ¡ manager's refusal that the society appeal to the Board of Trade. I Mr Phillips (Cardiff) seconded. » The Chairman pointed out the Board of Trade bad no power in such matters. Mr Henderson begged to differ from the chair- Mr Henderson begged to differ from the chair- man but subsequently agreed to accept the resolution with the latter portion left out. The resolution in this form was adopted unani- mously. Presidential Address. Out of three nominees for the position Mr W. C. Loraine (West Hartlepool) was re-elected president for the year. The other nominees were Mr T. M. Jones (Belper) and Mr Esythe (Wigaa). Mr Loraine, in the course of his address, said. 'I' since the meeting held in Swansea last year many questions of an important character affecting the Trade Union world had been under review, the most striking of which was the claim of the Taff Vale Company against the society. 1 Mr Loraine submitted that Mr Justice Wills summed up this case on December 19th of last year in language outside his prerogative. It was a disgrace to the jury system of the United King- dom, be said, that in ten minutes they gave their decision upon such a momentous issue without leaving the jury box. to deliberate upon the evidence. Had the Taff Vale Company been re- presented by a. less able counsel than Sir Edward Clarke their case would appear to have been perfectly safe in the hands of the presiding judge, having regard to his summing up, which, to say the least of it, was a direction to the jury to give their verdict on all points in favour of the plaintiff company. Thus for the first time damages and costs were awarded against a Trade Union on the grounds of collective liability for acts committed by an officer or an individual member although not instructed by the executive authority. Respecting the special jury in London, he said it was evident that the jurymen were drawn from the smaller tradesmen, from whom it was im- possible to expect in a case of so many parts as that of the Taff Vale claim anything like a correct or fair decision. The claim 'of the Taff Vale Company was £25,000 damages. The society's solicitors had suggested to the Execu- tive Committee the advisability of endeavouring to draw up terms of settlement with the Taff Vale management to avoid further expenditure upon the case. The Executive Committee had adopted the advice, with the result that an agree- ment had been signed that the society should pay JE23,000 to cover damages and costs of the rail- way company. By doing this it was estimated that from jE12,000 to £15,000 had been saved. It most be remembered that, although this was the first case in which the funds of a Trade Union were made liable in this way, no assistance was given by any other trade to meet the financial outlay in contesting this new point in Trade Union law. It was now necessary for Trade Unions to consider and to work for further legis- lation. Referring to Mr Chamberlain's preferential proposals, the Chairman said I am mistaken, said Mr Loraine, if the workers of this country will be caught napping by accepting these pro- posals. Taking the present average earnings. they are much too low to purchase the bare necessities of life at their present prices hence their second state would be worsse than the first by decreasing the purchasing power of the current coin. The suggested increase in wages is a myth, because the means by which we maintain our present rate of pay is by Trade Uuion effort I and power, and I have yet to learn that any board of directors cr any other employer will make any attempt to fall over each other to be firat in tbe ifeld to grant advances of wages to compensate us for the extra price paid. I mast remind you that Mr Chamberlain on the 18th of May gave his vote and defeated you in your object to safeguard your position as Trade Unionists. The President continued by quoting the rate of wages paid by the Government on the Prussian State Railways under It policy of Protection. The promise of old age pensions, he said. should not be taken seriously. It was dangled before the eyes of the workmen to hide the many misdeeds of the Government. During the last financial year the Government spent with foreign manufacturers £258,000 for articles which they could have obtained in this country. He strongly held the opinion that the new fiscal proposals were trotted out to make the electors I of the country overlook the important matters for which the Government stood condemned. But for the excessive capitalisation of railway stock railwttymea a working conditions would be much better than they were to-day. The leaders of labour were wide awake, and extensive pre- parations were being made to return a consider- able additional number)of Labour representatives to Parliament. What could be done at Wool- wicb apd Barnard Castle could be done in other constituencies. He appealed to the delegates in the consideration of this matter to put aisde all dissension and vote solidlv. Tbe speech was received with much cordiality. Alteration of Rales. An amendment affecting the objects and con- stitution of the society was carried which has the effect of i Deluding among the objects of the society power to render as occasion may arise assistance to other Trade Unions. It was ex- plained that this amendment was needed in order to give legality to what was already done. A member asked whether the society would be held legally responsible for the manner in which another Trade Union used the money which the society granted it. I Mr 15ell, in reply, said that if the Trade Union to whom the money was granted misused it that was not that society's fault, and he could yot conceive that that society would be held responsible in those circumstances. The meeting was adjourned. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Ser- vants on Tuesday reaumed at Peterborough its annual congress. Mr W. G. Loraine, president, occupied the chair, and amongst the officials of the society present was Mr Richard Bell, M.P., general secretary. The Missing Delegate. I With reference to Robert Lewis, the Taff gal. Railway guard, who was absent from the con- gress, and for whose leave of absence a telegram was despatched from the congress on Monday to the Taff Vale Railway management, Mr Bell reported that he had received a communication from Mr Beasley, general manager of the Taff Vale Railway Company, running If Lewis desires to appeal against the superintendent's decision be bag a right to do so through the usual channel.- Boasley. The reading of the telegram was received with laughter. The Chairman announced that Mr Bell would now wite to Mr Lewis requesting him to make his application to Mr Beasley. It appeared that the usual procedure bad not been carried out to I the satisfaction of iNIc Beaslev, Federation. The question of federation with the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen was brought up, and a 'scheme of federation was submitted. Mr Bell explained that following the last annual meeting of the society at /Swansea a special meeting was held in London, and a resolution bearing upon the question of amalgamation or ot federation with the locomotive engineers was discussed, UJtiocateiy a. joint conference between the two societies was held in May. The Amalgamated Society put before the joint conference a pro- posal of amalgamation. The Associated Exe- cutiva determined that they were not prepared to consider amalgamation, but only federation. The Amalgamated Society, therefore, considored the best means of federation, and the result was the scheme which was now submitted to the con- gress, and which had been accepted by the Exe- cutive Committees of both societies. The Chairman said that the Locomotive Society could not at any rate accept amalgama- tion for three years, but if the Amalgamated Society wouli now go half-way by feaerating the Locomotive Society might* be prepared to accept amalgamation later. The scueme laid down that in the event of a strilte affecting locomotive men only each society should pay strike allowance to its own members, all other expenses to be borne jointly. Mr Thomas (Swindon), member of the execu tive, said he hoped that no judge would hold their society responsible for the acts of another society. A. number of delegates spoke in favour of federation as a means towards improving the position of railway men. Mr Towey (Birmingham) opposed the scheme. He was a locomotive man. He thought the society was giving too much to the Locomotive Society and getting nothing back. By federating the Amalgamated Society would ioso oppor- tunities of increasing its own membership. Other delegates emphasised amalgamation as the goal at which the society should aim. Mr Henderson (Newcastle) opposed on the same ground as Mr Towey. Mr Burtou (Burton on Trent), thought the time bad come when rail- waymen should sink all grades and differences. Sectional movements in the past bad been their greatest bogey. He supported federation in the II belief that it would lead to amalgamation and .1 some day to the enrolment in one body of all railwaymen in the Kingdom. It was pointed out that thera were 10,000 locomotive men in the Associated Society and about 15,000 locomotive members in the Amalgamated Society. I Mr Plum (Darlington) objected, on the ground that it would excite sectional feeling and differ- ence. Its tendency would be to create a wider gulf beween the various grades embraced in the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen. ( Mr Bell did not think their society would gain a great deal from this scheme of federation. The ] balance of gain would be in favour of the Åoso- ciated Society. The Amalgamated Society would gain the suppott of 10,000 members in the ex. treme case of an agitation, and for this the Amalgamated Society was to give its support of i ( 60,000 members. Personally be was thoroughly < convinced that the Amalgamated Society was t the society for railwaymen of all grades. Federa- ] tion bad only one purpose, namely, when there was an agitation which affected both Bocieties they should have a joint cause. Let the Amalga- mated Society persevere according to their con- victions that there would be no substantial advantage for railwaymen until they bad brought about amalgamation. Mr Thomas (Swindon) pointed out that by federation railwaymen could show the railway managers that there were no longer two societies of railway men which they could play off one 1 against the other in the case of a dispute. This the railway companies had always done in the past. They should do so no longer. A resolntion favouring the adoption of federa- tion was then carried by 43 votes to 12. Replying to a delegate, the Chairman said federation would come into force at once. Amalgamation of Trade Unions. Mr Blakemore (Hasland) proposed that the time has now arrived when the question of the amalgamation of the whole of the Trade Unions of the country should be taken up in real earnest, and the meeting instructs the Executive Council to take such steps as will ensure the matter being brought prominently before the Trade Unions of Great Britain and Ireland. Mr Blakemore spoke of the great capitalistic trusts and their extension. The trusts as they grew would capture trade after trade. Mr Butterworth (I\ewL-on Heath) seconded. Mr Bell said the difficulty of amalgamation was greater than perhaps they had supposed. To amalgamate Trade Unions which bad no com- mon interests would be very difficult. He sug- gested before adopting this resolution to devise some scheme and consider its practicability. If practicable the scheme might then be submitted for the consideration of oihers. The resolution was afterwards carried by 25 votes to 20. Mr Holmes's Candidature. The sub-committee appointed to consider the question of Labour representation and the selec- tion of three Parliamentary candidates in addi- tion to the genera] secretary reported that for the purposes of meeting the exigencies of an early General Election two candidates be at once selected. The committee recommended that Messrs Holmes and Hudson be the two can- didates, and that, after taking into consideration the auestion of fixing upon two suitable constitu- encies, considerad the candidates' chances were good for East Birmingham and Newcastle-on- Tyne respectively. There were numerous appeals referring to the Parliamentary candidates from various branches, many condemning the action of the Executive Committee in selecting candidates, some re- questing that the nominations be submitted to a ballot of the whole of the members, while the Sheffield branch expressed its view that Mr Holmes was not a. fit and proper person to be put forward for such a position. The congress devoted the afternoon to the con- sideration of the subject in camera, and adjourned until to-day without giving its deci- sion to the Press. Later in the evening the resolutions adopted by congress were communicated to tbe Press, show- ing that the decision of the Executive Committee in selecting two Parliamentary candidates was upheld by congress. This resolution was carried bv 46 votes against four. A second resolution, upholding the Executive Committee in selecting Mr Jas. Holmes as one of the candidates, the congress believing him to be a suitable and popular candidate, wan retried by 49 votes against ve. A third motion, heartily endorsing Mr Hudson's candidature for Newcastle, was carried unanimously. For the greater part of Wednesday the Congress of Railway Servants at Peterborough sat in camera deJiberatingthe question of Labour repre- sentation. On Tuesday there were selected Messrs Holmes and Hudson for East Birmingham and Newcastle respectively. On Wednesday for the third Parliamentary candidate, whose selection the Executive Committee recommended, five candidates presented themselves—Mr J. Dobson, organising secretary for the London district Mr G. J. Wardle, editor of the Railway RevICw," the society's organ Mr Thos. Griffiths. Man- chester Mr J. Tbaxton, and Mr J. W. Bonson both of Leeds. From these the congress selected Mr G. J. Wardle, the division which he is to select being Stockport. Mr Wardle's candida- I ture was supported bv the Trades Council and local branches. These three candidates it is to be understood are in addition to Mr Bell, M.P. A question relating to the expenses of Mr Bell occupied a large portion of the afternoon. Railway Accidents. Mr Knapton (Bradley) moved That this con- gress is pleased to find that the activity of the A.S.R'.S. has resulted in a diminution of fatal accidents on our railways. It also notes with satisfaction the great advantages which member- ship of this society confers upon men who meet with accidents at work, fatal or otherwise." Mr Crawshaw (Accrington) seconded. He thought the society had done much towards the prevention of accidents. Snbsequent delegates drew attention to fatal accidents which had occurred through the absence of lights in shunting operations. Mr Hall (Leicester) drew attention to the fact that there was a great class of railway servants for whom the society had done nothing up to the present time in the matter of the prevention of accidents. This class of goods workers and carmen was, he admitted, less organised than any other class of railway servants. The Workmen's Compensa- tion Act needed a deal of amending before it would be of any service to carmen. In Leicester at the present time there were three carmen away from work owing to accidents. These men were outstdotbe operations of theAct,because the accidents which disabled them occurred in the streets, yet they were as deserving of compensa- tion as any other class of workers. The Act also failed to protect some of the workers in the goods sheds. A great deal still remained to be done to improve the Act. The resolution was carried unanimously. Inspection of Railways. MrPankhurst(Slades Green) moved "That this congress views with dissatisfaction the continued indifference to our request for a more efficient supervision of railways in connection with the various Acts of Parliament exhibited bv the 'Board of Trade by the delay in taking advantage of the provisions made in the estimates by Par- liament for an increase in the number of railway sub-inspectors." Mr Pankhurst said accidents would go on happening until there was an increase of inspectors who should go to a dangerous spot before accidents happened and give notice of the danger to the company. If the cornpauv then did not act notice should be at once given to the Board of Trade. If the Board of Trade carried out the instructions which were given them by Jaw many accidents which now occurred would be prevented. Mr Bell, general secretary, said that during hia short career as a member of tbe House of Commons he had done his utmost in order to get this matter an accomplished fact. On several oocasions he had received promises that the matter should have attention. There was no excuse for the Board of Trade for not making tue appointment of sub-inspectors. For three years in succession the estimates for the Board of Tiad« bad contained £200 each for two addi- tional sub-inspectors. Tbe Beard of Trade bad therefore pocketed £400 per annum for tbe past three Budgets for the salaries of these two additional sub-inspectors. The Board had not yet made the appointments. (Shame.) Ho had had the matter discussed in the House of Com- mons on three or four occasions and on the last occasion he presumed the President got a little ashamed that the matter was continually cropping np and the President then made almost a definite promise that snb-inspec- tora should be appointed this year. At present he (Mr Bell) s^w no signs of such appointments being made. Personally he felt very strongly on the mattei. (Hear, hear.) He received from I some part of the country ur other' nearly every day fresh complaints of the manner in which the railway companies were "dishing" the Board of Trade to get out of the Act. The rail- way companies pretended, so far 1103 the public were concerned, that they paid every attention to the safety of their employees. A circular had been issued that under no circumstances must railwaymen tow rope or prop wagons on any line without the authority of the superintendent of the line. To the public this appeared that the s-eneral manager of the railway took a very rigid course to prevent this kind of work in the interest of the men's safety but the fact of the case was that the superintendent of the line issued to the men au instruction on which was included nearly every side crossing and cross- over road that was on his company's system, the result of which was that the operations of tow roping aod pioppiug wagons were not for- bidden at all. Ha had sent complaints to the Board of Trade which would occupy two sub- inspectors a year to inquire into. The motion was carried unanimously. I To-dav the congress will consider, amongst other matters, Mr Chamberlain's tariff proposals.

LABOUR REPRESENTATION. Gower Division. On Saturday evening a private meeting of Trade Union delegates, representing voters in the Gower Division, was held at the King's HalJ, SwaDsea, in response to a circnlar issued bv the Western Miners and Anthracite Associa- tion, with a view to the adoption ot the Federa- tion nominee, Mr John Williams, as Labour canaidato for tbe division. Mr David Harris, a trustee of the Welsh Artisans" Union, was voted to the chair, and the. following miners, repre- senting tbe Federation, were present :—Mr Ben Davis, Mr Vernon Hartshorn, Mr D. Beynon, and Mr T. flames. There were aiso present Mr W. E. Morgan, Western Miners' agent Mr D. Morgan, Rhos, secretary anthracite miners a number of Executive members of the Tin and Sheet Millmen's Union, Mr Jalpes Wienall, and Mr John Williams. It is stated that tbe discus- sion was at times somewhat lively, it being con- tended that insufficient time bad been given for the proper instruction of the delegates. Ulti- mately it was agreed by a vote of 40 to 30 to adjourn tbe meeting jor a fortnight. Carmarthen Boroughs. Some time ago a deputation of the Llanelly Trades Gouncil waited on the Executive of the local Liberal Association expressing dissatisfac- tion with the present Parliamentary representa- tion of tbe boroughs, and requests that they should have a voice in the selection of the next candidate. Since then the Liberal Executive has decided to seject a candidate according to the! rules of the joint Liberal Associations of Cas- mart-hen and Llanelly, and the Trades Council appointed a committee to confer with the Labour Representation Committee, London, with the view of running an Independent Labour sandidate. The local committee met on Satin- Jay at Llanell?, and decided to write to certain gentlemen with the view to the selection of a Labour candidate. A conference of Trade Unionists a,6 Birming- ham on Saturday decided that, in view of the number of political matters affecting Labour interests now before the country and the possi- bility of a General Ejection at no distant date, sombined action should -be taken to render assistance to Labour- representatives both Ílil Parliamentary and municipal contests. The meeting was attended by delegates from all Darts of the Midlands.

PONTNEWYDD MAN'S DEFERRED WEALTH. Judge Owen Facetious. At Pontypool County Court on Wednesday HenrytW. Parfitt, Pontnewydd, appeared before Judge Owen to explain his reasons for not com- plying with three judgment orders made against him at Newport County Court. Replying to questions put by his solicitor, Mr Frank Lewis, Newport, defendant said he was the son of the late Mr Henrv Parfitt. builder. Pontnewydd, and by his father's wiH he was entitled to property valued at £1,000. 'He was at present an innH- ance agent. Referring to one of the claims in which judgment had been entered for 2a per month, his Honour asked respondent why on earth be had not paid this miserable debt. Mv salary has been so small was the reply.—His Honour But your salary has been sufficient to pay 6d per week. Yon have got three orders against you, and yon have property worth £1,000. —Parfitt Which I shall receive ultimately.—His Honour: What do you mean by ultimately? The day of judgment, or what ? (Laughter.)— When the estate is distributed.—His Honour Was there not an immediate distribution ?—Mi- Lewis interposed, explaining that there bad been some dispute. -His Jonour Well,it only means tbat you gentlemen should work a little harder. (Laughter.) Defendant can easily have money advanced on the property. I don't like to make a committal order against him. I think he ought tc pay. I must, however, mark the difference between bim and a workman. A committal order was made for 21 days in each case, sus- pended for ten days to enable defendant to pay.

MERTHYR FREE LIBRARIES. Gift from Sir W. T. Lewis. On Wednesday at the meeting of Merthyr Free Libraries Committee, Mr F. Sydney Simons (chairman) announced that six cases of books had been received from Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart. A letter was leceived from Mr William Evans, on behalf of Messrs Guest, Keen and NettUfolds, Limited, pointing oat that the question of a site for the Dowlais branch library had been pending so long that the offer made by the firm should be completed witbout delay. A draft agreement in respect of the site was received. Mr D W. Jones I strongly objected to the condition as to the com- pany closing the present building, worth £3,000 or £4,000, in consideration of the gift of a site I worth aoout jE300 or £400. and it was agreed to adopt the agreement, with the clause referred I to struck out.

HIS MAJESTY'S YACHT IN DANGER. On Wednesday his Majesty came nearlosin:* hf favourite yacht Osborne, which he always used j until his accession, wheu leaving Portsmouth j Harbour. The turbine destroyer Velox became unmanageable, and drifted towards the yacht. Fortunately the Velox's commander had the anchor dropped just in time to prevent a colli- sion that most have Bent the Osborne to the bottom.

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Swansea on the Main Line I DEPUTATION TO G.W.R. DIRECTORS, Proposed Loop from Cockett, Our London correspondent wires t -On Tues- day afternoon at Paddington a deputation from the Swansea Corporation waited upon Earl Cawdor (chairman), Mr Itiglis (general manager), and other officials of the Great Western Railway Company in reference to placing Swansea on the main line, and other matters in relation to im- proving railway communication in the Swansea. district. The proceedings were private. Sir Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn was also present as a director of the G. W.R. Co. The deputation con- sisted of the Mayor, Councillors lutton, Vivian, Davies, and Martin, the town clerk (Mr J. Thomas), and the borough surveyor (Mr Bell). The views of the deputation were given at length, the interview lasting an hour and a quarter, It is understood that no definite promise was given to meet the views of the deputation, the interview having been accorded tor the purpose of exchanging views and of forming a basis for future possible developments and changes. Our Swansea representative writes :—Accord- ing to information received at Swansea on Tuesday, matters relating to the newmineral line north of Swansea and other railway changes in the Swansea district were exhaustively dis- cussed, and Earl Cawdor promised that the points raised by the deputation should be thor- oughly considered. The company is about to apply for Parliamentary powers to construct a new mineral line designed to tap and bring to Swansea the anthracite and other coal deposits north of the town. This will be a much more comprehensive scheme than that unsuccessfully promoted last year. The deputation's scheme for putting Swansea on the main line, avoiding the Cockett Tunuel and saving a considerable mile- age, was ably advanced, but it was not favour- ably entertained because of the engineering difficulties and the great cost involved. Earl Cawdor, however, stated that it was intended to proceed with an alternative scheme, which would have the same effect. A loop would be con- structed into Svansea from Cockett Tunnel so as to enable passenger trains to run straight in and out of the town, thus saving the present change at Landore. In connection with this scheme great alterations will shortly be made at the High-street Station, the platform of which will have a length of 600 feet. Reception of the News. Telegraphing later our Swansea reporter says The feeling in Swansea in regard to the decision of the directors is one of satisfaction. There is of course disappointment that the chief scheme has not met with favourable con- sideration. This, however, would have in- volved the construction of two costly tunnels through the Town Hill and ^ilvey Hill re- spectively and a big high level viaduct over the river, and the engineer of the Great Western Railway showed that the cost would be so enormous as to make such a proposal altogether out of tha question. That being so the ques- tion is whether the next beat mode of achieving the object in view has not been conceded. At any rate, it is obvious that by its realisation Swansea will by means of the construction of curves be placed in p position equivalent to being placed on the main line. The great objection to the present condition of things is the delay at Landore and the necessity of changing. This, whan the new proposals are carried ont, will be obviated, as all down trains will run through Landore right into Swansea. Then an engine will be coupled to the other end of the train, which will be drawn round the new curve to the present main line. Up trains will come round the curve into Swansea, and run out via Landore. This is the method by which Plymouth is placed on the main line. The deputation wished to be assured that Swansea would reap all the advantages of being actually on the main line, that is, that all trains would run through Swansea by means of these curves. On this point Earl Cawdor, while \evidently anxious to concede the point, said he must reserve a definite expression of opinion in the case of the Irish mail ssrvice, not because of any indisposition to concede the point,' but because the Post Office appliances on these mail trains are only fixed to one side, and the fact that the down trains will have to turn round as it were at Swansea may render it necessary to run these mails on the old route. However, the whole details are not worked out yet.

THE TRAIN FERRY. It is now possible to journey in the same sleep- ing car between Berlin and Copenhagen. The new ferrj for taking trains across the water was started last week. The name of the boat is Friedrich Franz IV.. and she is 265ft in length and 56ft in breadth. The length of rails on her main deck is 216ft. Abo\e this main deck lies the promenade deck with cabins for passengers. When the mail train, comprising locomotive and five sleeping cars, arrives at Warnemuende, in Schwerin, on the shores of the Baltic, it is run right on to the deck of the boat. The distance on the land route saved by this short sea passage is nearly 200 miles. The speed of the steamer is 14 knots. The cost of the new piers at Warne- muende has amounted to £ 690,000. The two steamboats have cost £ 50,000 each. This system is that which the English railway engineers inspected a few monihi ago. with a view to the The Friednch Franz IV. I practicability of a similar train ferry across the English ChanneL According to the London correspondent of the "Petit Parisien," an Anglo- French combination with the title of the Inter- continental Railway Company has taken the matter in hand, and among those interested in the scheme aie said to be some of the most powerful corporations in the railway and ship- buil ding worlds. The ferry boats will take the trains and their contents on board at Dover, carry them across the Channel, and deposit them at Calais. There are several advantages of ;11e ferry boat system, one of which is that time will be saved -an important consideration in the case of flowers. fruit, vegetables, and dairy produce. France hopes that the markets of Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, hitherto untouched, will be reached by the French producer, and it is honed that much of the merchandioe which at present passess by Ostend, Antwerp, Flash- ing, and Hamburg, will be diverted to the ferry boats between Calais and Dover.

ROYAL NAVAL RESERVES. Forming a Company at Cardiff. Steps have just been taken in the Bristol Channel ports, in accordance with an Admiralty Order issued in the last Session of Parliament, with the object of forming a. division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves. The proposal —which originated at Bristol, and which is being strongly promoted bv Commander Thompson, R.N., a retired naval officer-is to form a division of 500 strong, with two or three companies in Bristol, two at Swansea, and one at Cardiff. At the suggestion of Commander Thompson—who, though not yet gazetted, will probably be ap- pointed to the command of the division—and Mr Goodenough Taylor, who is a. member of the Admiralty Committee, Mr A. E. Lambert (who represents the Bristol Steam "Navigation Com- pauy at Cardiff, and who is himself an officer of the 3rd V.B. jloucestershire Regiment) has taken the matter up at Cardiff, and has already obtained a promise from the Mayor of Cardiff to ¡ convene a public meeting' to consider the ques- tion when the scheme has- been sufficiently matured. Mr Lambert informs ns that sufficient promises have already been received at Swansea. to form two companies, and he speaks confidently of the prospects of the formation of a. lull com- pany of 100 men at Cardiff. His intention is to wait chiefly on the men employed in the local ship engineering yards, as it is they in particular who constitute the class of men favoured by the Admiralty. Mr Lambert is also in communica- tion with the local Admiralty officers on the subject. The conditions of service are practically identical with those of the disbanded Naval Volunteer force. Men who earn the certificate of efficiency will be permitted to volunteer at any time for more advanced training, and oppor- tunities will be given from time to time for specially-selected volunteers to embark for short cruises in H.M. vessels.

SOUTH WALES BREWFRSI ASSOCIATION A meeting of tbe South Wales Brewera' Asso. ciation was held at tho Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday. Colonel Gaskell. J.P., presided, and amongst those present were Messrs Reginald Mortimer, London H. W. Orowhorst, Swansea R. Valentin, Llanelly T. Jonos, A. Please, Aboraare \V. John. Pentre G. Evans, Rhondda Valley Brewery J. Jjlewellyn, Ely, &c. The new Compensation Bill promised by the Govern- ment was discussed,, and the meeting expressed strong approval of the terms of Mr J- Chamber- laiti's letter to the Trade at Birmingham on the question of compensation. A resolution recently passed in London setting out that the Trade t should resist all schemes for the voluntary sur- render of licences pending the settlement of the question by the Government also received nn. qualified support. A lunoheon followed, Col. Gaskell again presiding, when the secretary (Mr Taliesin Morgau) read the correspondence, which included a letter from Mr J. H. Brain regretting his unavoidable absence.

At Saturday's meeting of Newport Boftrd of Guardians a letter was received from Mr A. Smith, contractor, Newport, asking why his tender for the renovation of the Workhouse Hospital, which was the lowest sent in, was not accepted. He gave details of large contracts he was already carrying out in the town. Some members sug- gested tbat the letter should lie on the table, but ) it was resolved to reply that tbeb oard exercised thair rights within the terms of 'heir advertise- n:ent, which stated that they did not^bind them- aelves to accept the lowest or any tender."

Sunday School Wrangles, TEACHING OF INFIDELITY. ROW IN A BARGOED CLASSROOM The sequel to a. disturbance in the Primitive Methodist Sunday school at Bacgoed came before the Caerphilly magistrates on Tuesday (Mr C. James presiding) when Mra Ma.rga.ret Kedward summoned Mrs Maria Cane, a widow, for using threats towards her. The prosecutrix prefaced her evidence in the charge by saying that at a previous charge which she had pre- ferred against the defendant for threats she could prove that perjury had been committed. On Sunday, the 27th of September, she went to Sunday school, but as her class had been divided she desired to follow her old teacher in the new section. This was re- fused, and Mfs Cane, interfering. said, I will turn her out (meaning witness). I will screw her neck off. I will strangle her." John Prout, a Sunday school teacher, corro- borated as to tbe words used. Cross-examined The defendant was only two seats away. Mrs Prout, wife of last witness, gave evidence to the same effect. The defendant denied the accusations,and said the whole of the witnesses had conspired to make the same story. She had a number of Sunday school teachers and scholars to prove that no word was said by her towards Mrs Kedward. Samuel Price said he was present at the time and never heard Mrs Caue speak to tbe prosecu- trix. There bad been a disturbance in the school. Asked by the magistrates to explain the nature of this. witness said a disturbance had arisen amongst the teachers (one of the number being accused) on a question of teaching infidelity. A meeting was called to investigate the accusations, but as none of the teachers put in an appearance the school had nothing to do but pass a vote of confidence in the teacher in question. However, it was decided that for the peace and prosperity of the school to divide the class, and that Mrp Kedward should remain in the old class. On this particular Sunday the prosecutrix desired to go with the new section, and some slight disturb- ance took place in consequence. A few minutes later the defendant. who was in her place with another class, remarked to a man named Stephen Prout that Mrs Kedward should be put out, as her action in a place of worship was disgusting. Mr C. James (chairman) I do not know who is responsible for this. but these proceedings' in a Sunday school are of a very disgraceful nature. Witness, continuing, said it was a known fact that Mrs Kedward came there to cause this dis- turbance. Mr James Are there not some people in Bar- goed who could do something in this matter and not allow it to come before the Bench ? It is a most disgraceful state of things. Mrs Kedward denied that Mrs Cane was in her class, or that any classes had been formed or Bibles given out. The Chairman (to witness) Did Mrs Ked- ward leave the chss when she wa3 asked to do so ? Witness Yes she got out of the class like a manly woman, (Laughter.l Other witnesses were about to be called when The Bench interposed and dismissed the case. Stephen Prout, junior, preferred a charge against Miss Margaret Ann Davies (29) for assault committed on the same date. Prose- cutor said that in coming out of Sonday school the defendant struck him in the face with the Bible. He had not spoken to her, and did not know why he had been struck. There had been a disturbance in the school, but he had not spoken to defendant. He had spoken to two other young ladies. Previous to being struck the defendant said that if he tcld her what he had said to the others she would strike him. Defendant I struck him in the face because he called me a black faced liar." Prosecutor No I did not. The Chairman We cannot allow this. You admitted having called her a liar. and I don't blame her for striking you.—The case was dis- missed. Another Charge Dismissed. The next case was a charge by Mrs Margaret Kedward against Mrs Mary Davies, of Bargoed. Prosecutrix said that on 19th September she was walking along Htgh-streot when she was accosted by Mrs Davies. who had upon previous occasions threatened her, and the matter had been reported to the police. On' the day in qcestion the de- fendant threatened to black her eyes, and "would wash her hands in my blood." Defendant I did not threaten her. I only called her "a liar and a Tom Pepper." The Chairman Then you ought not to have said so. Stephen Prout, senior, detailed having heard threads, but not on the day in question, and Mra Elizabeth Prout said she heard the defendant say I wish old mother Kedward was oresent here now. I would give her a fine pair of black eyes." The defendant denied having used any threats when they passed each other ou the road. Mary Ann Davies gave evidence ill support of her mother. The Bench dismissed this case also.: "i

MR McKENNA, M.P. AT SIX BELLS. Mr Reginald McKenna, M.P. for North Mon- mouth, addressed a meeting of Libe-als at Six Balls Dn Tuesday evening. Mr Theo Evans pre- sided. Mr McKenua said he could not help feel- ing some sympathy with the distress of the Tory party. The Conservative party bad learnt bv bitter experience what Mr Chamberlain s power of forgetting the pledges of the past could be. Mr Chamberlain had been a pronounced Free Trader, and in the prime of hia manhood, uo one had been more vigorous than he in defence of Free Trade principles. To-day he had denied every doctrine be once held true, and had shattered the Tory party. In all the changes of the Government, one fact only stood out clear, viz., tbat Mr Balfour meant to cling to office. It was in vain for him to scream hysterically at Sheffield that he was leader, and meant to lead. The Government had lost the services of several statesmen and bad filled the positions by the promotion of under-secretaries, some of them quite unknown to the public. Nemesis bad at length overtaken the Unionist party, for the dismissal of the Government from office could b. only a question of weeks.

CARDIFF LIBERALS. A meeting of the Executive of the Cardiff Liberal Association was held on Tuesday evening. Councillor Sidney Robinson presided over a large attendance, which included Councillor Robert Bird, Mr F. ll. Jotham, C.C.. the Rev. J. M. Jones, Principal W. T. Edwards, Coun- cillor F. J. Beavan, Mr Joseph Heald, Mr David Shepherd, Mr G. A. Seccombe, and Mr Wm. Jenkins. Six vice-presidents were elected, namely, Dr. W. T. Edwards, the Rev. J. M. Jones, Alderman Edward Thomas, Councillor Lloyd Meyrick, Alderman Mildon, and Coun- cillor Crossman. Ten additional members to the Executive were chosen Mr Richard Cory. Mr Lewis Williams, Mr W. Lester Jones. Councillor John Jenkins, Councillor J. T. Richards, Mr T. Rich, Mr Richard Proud, Mr H. Kumbelow, and Mr 3. H. Morgan. Mr Allgood. the agent, reported in detail upon the circumstances of the different wards in rela- tion to the municipal election and arrange- ments were made for furthering the candidature of the party nominees.

WESLEYANS AND THE LIQUOR TRADE. At a meeting of the We^leyan Conference Temperance Committee in London on Tuesday, the correspondence which had appeared in tbe newspapers as having passed between Mr Glover, of Birmingham, and Messrs Trollopo with regard to the Aquarium site at Westminster was dis- cussed. Rev. G. Armstrong Bennetts, B.A., the connexional temperance secretary, desired it to bo known that when the site was being acquired' he immediately raised the question as to licences, and was assured by one of the most prominent trustees that no part of the site would be do- voted to licensed liquor places. In consequence, the licences existing on the site acquired were at once dropped. The meeting unanimously resolved :—" That this commitee regards with great satisfaction the prompt repudiation given in the newspapers bv Mr R. W. Perka, M.P., on behalf of the trustees, of the statement made by Messrs Trollopo that no restrictions as to any buildings erected upon. the site being used for purposes of the liquor trade would be made, and the committee further unanimously expresses the hope that the trustees will, in the event of their granting leases of any part of the site, insist upon such leases contain- ing restrictive covenants which will prevent any of the property being used for the purpose of the liquor trade."

PIRATED MUSTC AT SWANSEA. At Swansea Police Court on Tuesday W. E. Howells. of 24, Orange-street, was summoned for I offering for sale 100 pirated copies of musical I works on September 26th. Mr H. Thompson, who appeared for the prosecution, said men like defendant were able to sell these copies at such low prices that registered dealers were cut out of the market. The Bench ordered the whole of the music to be destroyed, and that defendant pay the costs, besides a guinea as advocate's fee. Max Adeler, of 14. Murlais-crescent, pleaded guilty to I having 62 copies of like music in his possession. Here again tbe music was ordered to be de- stroyed, and defendant was directed to pay tha | costs.

ROATH PARK LAKE. Proposed Lighting of the District. An adjourned meetiug of the Lianishen Parish Council was held at the Council Office on Mon- day evening. Mr F. H. Jotbam attended and laid his view? before the Council in favour of lighting the roads around Iloath Lake. It was decided to call a prrbJic meeting on October 22nd atSociock in the National Schoolroom "To determine whether the Lighting and Watching Act. 1833, nhall be adopted for that pait of the parish south of a line drawn from the Rhymney Railway to Penylaa-road and running along the road parallel to thenorth end of Roath Lake."

Stealing a Ferret.—D. Morgan, farm labourer, Llanpumpsaint, was charged with stealing a ferret, worth 5s, from Mr Davies, CwmgwiUy Arms, on the 18th ult., and was mulcted in the sum of 14s.

I When Purchasing STIFF'S STARCH, be sure and note THE USTIG-Gr-EJK, t ■ AND HIS DOG- On the Label of the Box. The Box is a guarantee that you have the finest Starch it is possible to manufacture. Common and mixed Starches slowly but surely destroy linen STIFF'S PURE STARCH is warranted not to injure the most delicate material. STIFF AND CO., LTD., 29, Redcliff St., BRISTOL.

THE WEDDING OF THE WEEK. i The marriage of Prince Andrew of Greece to I Princess Alice- of Battenberg, which has been celebrated at Darmstadt, is a Royal marriage for love. Despite the usual rumours of Royal fas- cinations, it is very seldom that convenience I will Dermit the feelings of the heart to run away with the promptings of the head in the case of highly-placed member of ruling families. In this instance, however, though connected closely with our own a.nd all the other Roval families of Europe, Prince Andrew and Princess Aiice are lucky enough just to fall short of political im- portance to che extent of being allowed to marry as their hearts wish. The young couple met first, it is said, at Coronation time last year, and at once an attachment sprang up between them. The marriage, however, was a very im- portant function socially, and many of the leading Royalties in Europe were present at WednesdB.J'" function. At one time The Priuce and Princess Andrew of Greece. it was said that the King, the Kaiser, and the I Czar would all be present, but such an historic meeting was rendered impossible for various I reasons. Of the British Royal Family Princess Henry of Battenberg made the journey, and Princess Chrietian was also there. The func- tion promised to be a very brilliant one, and the presents were magnificent, though, possibly. fall- ing short of a millionaire wedding in the States. The bride is very young and beautiful, and is popular both in London and Darmstadt. Both she and the bridegroom are closely connected with onr Royal Family, though on different sides, which makes the bond double. The latter is connected on tbe Queen's side through her brother, the King of Greece, and the former on the King's through the much-loved Princess Alice, whose death was such a grief to the nation. Thus the young couple will carry with them the sincere good wishes of all in this country.

BODY Al: BARRY ISLAND. An Unknown Man. Early on Sunday morning the body of a man unknown was picked up in Whitmore Bay, Barry Is'and, and conveyed to the Mortuary. It had evidently only been in the water about M hours. The description is as follows :—Between 30 to 33 years of age, 5ft. 3iu. in height, full face, light brown early hair, bushy eyebrows, reddish moustache and beard, dressed in a short, double. breasted black jacket, black waistcoat, blue serge trousers, black ribbed socks, brown canvas shoes, and grey flannelette shirt with green stripes-apparently a seaman.

FRENZIED BOILERMAKER. CARDIFF MAN AND HIS WIFE. [ Onlooker's Plucky Attempt. At Cardiff on Wednesday Alfred Ball (42), maker, was charged with cutting and his wife, with intent to do her grievous bo? harm, at South William-street, Cardiff, on tember 23rd, and also with attempting to 1::0[11; mit suicide by cutting his throat with a knife "d the same time and place. Mr Harold LloY defended. Mrs Ball stated that on the date named was sitting in the kitchen when her husbapd came in drunk. She asked him what was the good of getting drunk, and why he did not 2e» work. He said he could no: get work, and xV0° into the middle room. Soon afterwards be ealIle ont with a knife, and she could not what took place afterwards. She had a scratch o" the shoulder, and believed it was done when she tried to take the knife from him. Annie Turner, widow, said that on the afternoon of the dol' named she had a drink with prisoner, but not in his company more than ten minutes. said his wife had aggravated him, having spat IØ his face before a lot of men on the previous e$0l2' ine. If she got on to him again that night be would cut her throat and his own afterwards. she told him not to do such a thing. From the evi* dence of several other witnesses it appeared th*» the wife rushed out screaming into the streeti holding her shoulder. Prisoner threw the knIfe after her and then camo out into the street, picked it up again, aud drew it several tirne. across his throat. A young man named TO" Linnan, engaged at the stores opposite, across, grasped prisoner's hands tightly, and having got the knife from him threw it across the street. It was picked up by otbor8* The knife was produced in court. It is a carvi ng* knife with a broken blade, about four inches ot the blade remaining. It appeared to be blunt. but Dr. Buist told tho Deputy-Stipendiary E. Milner-.Tones) that it was sharper t-hau '• looked. Dr. Bnist was called by P.C. Ada'11?' who found the prisoner in the passage with hi* throat cut. When the doctor tha mau was unconscious, and was bleeding from wounds in his neck. There were two wounds, tbe lower being three inches and quarter long and a sixth of an inch deep. It \V1Io. across the upper part of the windpipe, and • tended from the centre of the throat towards the left. At the end of this wound there was » scratch two inches long, which barely cut through the skin. The other wound was above, and was two inches long and a six»h of an inch deep- The wife had a clean cut wound in the front ot the left shoulder, three-auarters or an inch loBf* and an eighth of an inch deep. When the prJ" soner's wounds had been dressed, he was taken to the Workhouse. Afterwards, when founanr. charged, he said, I don't know what I did- Prisoner was committed to the Assizes, was remanded in custody.

ABERDARE LITIGANT'S MISTAKE. At the Aberdare County Court on Wednesday* female defendant who appeared iu answer to Ii judgment summons told the Judge, "I can't paY 4sa month. "The Judge: You can't pay fout shillings. How much can you pay ?—I can PAY two shillings. I card pay more.—The aucige (laughing): The order is only for one shilling a month. Oh, dear, dear you women what are you thinking of ? You come here and tell me yoll can't pav four shillings whereas the order isonl* one shilling.—Defendant I have two cases, I thought it was tbe other one. I was not which this one was.—The Judge No, nor don care neither. Go now, pay one shilling in** days, and then pay regularly. I don't want SO see you again.

C? E'lGEL* SI -0 aiA f j TNDIGESTION is the root cause of nearly all our other ailments. it I poisons the blood, lessens brain power, lowers vitality, produces languor, jj sleeplessness, headaches, dizziness, constipation, nervous depression, and Hj by its debilitating effect upon the liver and kidneys, rendering them unable SH I to filter impurities from the blood and get rid of the poisonous uric acid. Is the 19 frequent cause of gout and rheumatism. An active liver, thorough digestion 89 and efficient kidneys make all these painful and crippling disorders impossible. |a| Mother Seigel's Syrup is the national remedy for indigestion in sixteen countries. jS It contains digestive ferments and root and herb extracts that give tone and Hi vitality to the stomach, liver and kidneys, enabling them to perform their gBI functions perfectly, that is the secret of its great success. For seven year? BEt I was a martyr to indigestion and biliousness," says Mrs. Adams, of Latclnngdon, Bj Nr. Maidon, Fssex. 5< I could not eat or sleep properly and suffered greatly jjjjg| from aizzihess, headaches and wind. Alter Doctors j&B IP had tailed, -Seigel's Syrup completely cured me- |&H |jjl| ■ Now X feel bright and well." pj t- INDIQESTIOH, I Gout, Rheumatism and Liver Disorders. Jj I ply