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/257

 was hastily arranging for a railway service, the Society was perfecting a system for passing communications to all branches independent of telegraph or post. There was talk of the arrest of foolish leaders, and shorthand reporters from Scotland Yard had to be ordered out of the Conference. On Saturday, August 18th, a Proclamation was made by the Government, applying Part I. of the Munitions Act (1915) to the dispute. The object of this was to cause the Society or the Railway Executive to report the difference to the Ministry of Labour for settlement by conciliation or arbitration. The Proclamation also prohibited any stoppage of work, and made it illegal to apply any of the Union funds for purposes of strike pay. On the same day Sir Albert Stanley and Mr. Geo. Barnes addressed the Conference at Drovers' Hall, Islington, but without inducing it to change its mind. Conference authorised the Executive to negotiate further, and a final settlement was reached with the President of the Board of Trade at midnight on August 21st. The written pledge of Sir Albert Stanley to the A.S.L.E. & F. brought the eight hour day ten years nearer for the whole trade union movement. The autograph message was as follows:—

August 21st, 1917.

,

In accordance with what I said to you last night with respect to the demand of your men for an eight hour day, I am writing to confirm what I have stated to your Executive Committee and to your delegates when I attended a meeting on Saturday last, and also in the House of Commons, namely: That I pledge the Government, the War Cabinet, and myself personally, to continue the present control of the railways for a time after the cessation of hostilities, so that there would be an opportunity afforded within one month to bring forward a request for a shorter working day while the railways were under control, and that any reasonable request for a short working day would have the immediate and sympathetic consideration of the Government