Charges, in
1889, he was the principal railway witness and was under examination and
cross-examination for eight consecutive days. He had a real love for
Ireland, was partly Irish himself, his father being Scotch and his mother
Irish--a fine blend. Fishing was his chief recreation and this often
brought him to the lakes and rivers of Ireland. He asked, was I the son
of William Tatlow of the Midland Railway, whom he had met a good many
years before on some coal rates question? On my saying, Yes, he was
pleased to know that I belonged to a railway family; and said what a fine
service the great railway service was, how absorbing the work and what
scope it afforded for ambition and ability. He asked about my railway
experience, was amused at my reason for leaving Derby and the Midland,
and interested at hearing of my work with Mr. Wainwright, whom he had
known and esteemed. He was sure I had learned nothing but good from him.
I was able, and very glad, of course, to tell Mr. Findlay with what
interest Bailey and I had listened for several days to his evidence at
Westminster Hall at the Railway Rates Inquiry, and how much we had
profited by it. This led to some talk on the great rates question, of
which he was a master. I felt he was just a bit surprised to find that I
was rather well informed upon it, which made me not a little proud.
Altogether it was a memorable night, and left me with a feeling of
elation such as I had experienced in the meetings I had in Glasgow some
years before with Mr. John Burns and Mr. John Walker. How little I
thought then, that in less than two years I should follow Mr. Findlay's
remains to the grave.

[Sir George Findlay: findlay.jpg]

Between the London and North-Western and the Midland Great-Western much
good feeling existed. They were natural allies, both greatly interested
in the trade and prosperity of Ireland, and of the port of Dublin in
particular. As time went on many matters of mutual interest brought me
into close relation with the North-Western general manager and other
prominent officers of the company.

CHAPTER XXII.
A RAILWAY CONTEST, THE PARCEL POST, AND THE BOARD OF TRADE

The long-looked for fight in the Committee Rooms at Westminster came at
last, as most things that are eagerly looked and longed for do. In May,
1892, a Bill, promoted jointly by the Midland Great-Western and Athenry
and Ennis Railway Companies, was considered by a Select Committee of th