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 vastly improved, but wages had remained almost stationary. Wages, indeed, were cut down to find the Conciliation Boards work in getting them up again, and the Board of Trade returns showed the following

Such were the average weekly earnings of men in the locomotive, coaching, goods and engineers' departments, exclusive of officers, clerks (very inadequately paid), and casual labourers. It will be seen that the wage bill of 1910 was less than that of 1907, and that immediately the Conciliation scheme came into operation there was a drop of 19,570 men in the four departments mentioned. In 1910 there were still 15,671 fewer employees than in 1907, although 1910 was the best year in their history, until grateful and comforting guarantees came along. In the first half of 1911 the L. & N.W. paid 6 per cent. and put away £100,000 to reserve, besides carrying forward a balance of £141,000. The Great Western paid 4 per cent., and carried forward £120,426. The Great Northern apportioned good dividends to the various stocks, and carried forward a balance of £120,927. The Midland made a net increase of £181,000, and placed £30,000 to reserve. These big figures were due to "economies" largely at the expense of labour, and labour revolted against the unfair bargain.

It was on August 16th that the Joint Executives decided upon their ultimatum, 24 hours notice to withdraw all labour. Strike wires were sent out on the evening of the 17th, and on the morning of the 18th the weary wheels stood still. Two days were enough to show the Government that discretion was the better part of valour, and early on Sunday morning, August 20th, the telegrams were delivered announcing the resumption of work. Joint Strike