Railways a National Industry 429 



with men in similar capacities in other parts of the world, 

 whereas the former isolation and rare opportunities for inter- 

 course frequently caused narrow-mindedness, prejudice, 

 reservation of manner, and the natural loss of much useful 

 information and experience to both employer and employed." 



Summer meetings, held in a centre where there are features 

 of special interest to railwaymen, are another valuable means 

 for the exchange of ideas between members of the Institution, 

 for enabling them to gain fresh experiences, and for promoting 

 social intercourse. These summer meetings have developed 

 into " conventions " lasting a week each, and they are spoken 

 of as having been " of untold benefit to those participating in 

 them." The Institution has, also, various beneficent funds. 



The Association of Railway Locomotive Engineers of Great 

 Britain and Ireland is a body whose members have, for a 

 number of years, held two meetings annually in London in 

 winter, and in the country in summer for the discussion of 

 matters of interest to railway engineers and to railway com- 

 panies generally. 



The Institution of Signal Engineers (Incorporated) includes 

 in its objects " the advancement of the science and practice 

 of signalling by discussion, enquiry, research, experiment 

 and other means ; the diffusion of knowledge regarding 

 signalling by means of lectures, publications, the exchange 

 of information and otherwise ; and the improvement of the 

 status of the signalling profession." Only railway signal or 

 telegraph engineers, superintendents in charge of railway 

 signalling, telegraph or kindred work, and qualified engineers 

 in Government service are eligible for full membership ; but 

 other officers engaged in technical work in engineering depart- 

 ments are eligible for associate membership, while in the autumn 

 of 1911 the Institution was considering a scheme for student 

 membership and the offering of annual prizes to members of 

 the student class for papers and essays on technical subjects. 



The Association of Railway Companies' Signal Superin- 

 tendents and Signal Engineers was formed in 1891 with the 

 object of affording facilities for the discussion of signalling 

 questions by the chiefs of signalling departments on the rail- 

 ways of the United Kingdom. Two meetings are held each 

 year at the Railway Clearing House. 



A very useful purpose in developing the higher education, 



