Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/200

 Committees had been formed in all centres, pickets put out just as promptly as Mr. Churchill's troops, and the men had just got into the routine of it when it was all over. Khaki, brilliant uniforms, and bayonets were profusely displayed at the London termini and the chief provincial centres, and for two days the country had a general aspect of civil war. When peace was proclaimed, some men were not so eager to resume, and at Liverpool Mr. Bromley was able to devote attention to the interests of the transport workers and tramwaymen. The latter were refused reinstatement by the Tramways Committee, and a very tough fight had to be made against insults and threats to get them reinstated. Mr. Bromley had spent three strenuous weeks in Liverpool, and even his great physical strength was worn down to the point of collapse. It is needless to add that mass meetings, many of them, were held all over the country.

Commenting on the effects of the strike, Mr. Fox wrote:-

"'I wish to say that we have proved conclusively that there is no need for the amount of emphasis laid upon the question of amalgamation. Certainly, we have proved that collective action can be taken with even more effect through the medium of Federation than can be expected through amalgamation, and certainly if anything were needed to prove that sectional organisation was the correct course the recent strike and the response by the members at the request of the Executive Committee provides that proof. I am satisfied that railwaymen would be well advised not to press the question of amalgamation, and go wholeheartedly for first getting the men organised. That is the real essential.'"

The Conciliation Scheme approved by the Royal Commission of 1911 for dealing with questions affecting wages, hours, or conditions of service, continued to operate into the war period, because the 1914 scheme was cancelled in October of that year. The 1911 scheme provided that if the employees forming a grade, or combination of grades having a common interest, wished to