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/221

 in abeyance in that manner until the second war bonus was conceded twelve months later, and in the agreement on that question one of the conditions specified that the new Conciliation Scheme should be ready whenever the companies might have occasion to reconsider the war bonus, and give notice of their intention to pay it no longer. This notice, it was provided, could be given immediately the Government control of the railways ceased.

While railway directors and shareholders were guaranteed profits during the period of control. equal each year to the profits of 1913, no wage or work guarantee was made to the men, and within a few months under employment was a marked feature in several parts of the country. The profits of the year 1913, it should be understood, were 52 millions, against an average of 48 millions, because the companies had recently increased their carriage charges to recoup themselves "for the additional cost in awarding better conditions to labour." Thus capital made a very good bargain, and the Government, according to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had also made a very good bargain. What then of our men? Having generously abandoned for the time their National Programme, including the eight hour day, they found each month of 1914 marked by a continual rise in the cost of living, while profiteering was rampant. In January of 1915 discontent was general, and the Executive sent to the companies a demand for an all-round increase of 5s. to meet the changed conditions.

"'It is not desirable that there should be internal strife,' said the report for the year 1914, 'but it is quite sure that in the future, when the war is over, the workers who are now fighting in defence of their country will have to continue their struggle for a fair share of the capital they create.'"

No one realised then how long the war would last, and what terrible dimensions it would assume, but the struggle of the railway workers for fair consideration by those who were so pleased with their good bargains began in its first month and continued to its