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/256

 Society, but the representatives stated they were unable to enter into negotiations on the question of wage or bonus, unless the principle of an eight hour day was first conceded. He had the highest appreciation of the loyalty and zeal of all classes of railwaymen during the war, and knew that they had ungrudgingly worked very long hours, which he wished could be reduced, but it was not denied that it was absolutely impossible under existing war conditions to give any practical effect to an eight hour day.

"It was, therefore, clear to him that the object of the Society was to obtain recognition of the principle of an eight hour day at a time when, owing to the national emergency and the Government control of railways, they considered they had a favourable opportunity for dealing with the matter. He could not believe that, in view of the facts stated, any responsible organisation of railwaymen, who had hitherto played such a splendid part in assisting the nation in its emergency, would jeopardise the prosecution of the war by authorising or taking part in a stoppage at this critical time. He wished to intimate, on behalf of the Government, that the necessary steps were being taken to deal with any emergency that might arise."

The Special Conference assembled at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 16th, at the Grafton Hotel. It continued its deliberations over Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Friday. August 17th, a decision to strike was arrived at, and that evening Mr. Bromley had an important interview with the President of the Board of Trade. Ministers were anxious to have the matter concluded before Parliament adjourned for the grouse moors, and the Press awakened to the vital work of locomotive workers as the centre of the whole railway system. The N.U.R. was quite piqued about it, and advised its branch members, who were watching the drama with keen interest, to wait for the advice of their own Executive, and to take no part in the present movement. The Society had a just cause and absolute unity, and not in all its previous history had there been a finer demonstration of its strength. While the Government