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/313

 expressions of goodwill, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to:—

"'That this joint meeting of the E.C.'s of the A.S.L.E. & F. and the N.U.R. hereby expresses its emphatic opinion that the social and economic conditions of the workers demand the greatest amount of industrial solidarity, consistent with the greatest freedom of the various sections within the Labour Movement. We therefore agree to consider the whole question of industrial organisation, with a view of linking up the Unions for future industrial and political action, as necessity may arise, as far as Railwaymen are concerned.'"

"It was also agreed that a Joint Committee should be set up, consisting of five members from each E.C., together with the two General Secretaries, to consider the best means of giving effect to the above resolution, and reporting to the Joint Executives. The Committee appointed from our side is Messrs. Cooke, Wild, Stevenson, Squance, and Jarman, and our members may rely on it that whatever scheme of joint working or sympathetic action and support is finally drafted, it will be submitted to the members for endorsement or otherwise."

Negotiations over the National Agreement were resumed on April 9th, 10th, and 11th, in regard to meal-times and hours of labour, and on April 23rd, 24th, 25th and forward, in regard to Conciliation Boards, Clothing, Rest, Eyesight Failure, and Lodging Allowances, Sunday Time, etc. On May 1st the long discussion had advanced to new subjects, like holiday relief and pay, higher duties, and rates of daily pay. The Railway Executive submitted a revised offer, which appeared on the minutes of that day. They continued, until they broke into the week of the A.A.D. at Leeds, meetings being held in May. To that Conference the General Secretary tendered a lengthy and important review of progress made up to that time. Naturally, the Eyesight Test came into prominence, and Sir Herbert Walker advanced the suggestion that the Board of Trade should appoint somebody to hold an inquiry into the question, at which the Society could produce evidence.

Mr. Bromley: You mean to have a standard test throughout?

Sir Herbert Walker: Yes.

Mr. Bromley: Yes. I agree to it, but we feel rather dubious