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/331

 of our best drivers on the top of their present service, and then beat them." The solidarity of all grades paralysed the nation, and taught the travelling public to respect the railway worker. The postal service was wiped out, and parcels post was entirely obliterated. The road transport service was totally inadequate, and all the dependence on this system proved a delusion. Thousands of gallons of milk went sour, and the food service came dangerously near a collapse.

The Government only just capitulated in time to save worse events. For weeks before it began the Government had been preparing elaborate alternative services by motor, instead of preparing a path of peace.

Day by day paralysis was creeping over the country, and the Government refusal to meet the men until they had returned to work was soon abandoned. A week-end fog exterminated the skeleton service, and the conferences of Sunday. October 5th, brought a happy settlement.

40s. turned to 51s.; wages stabilised to September 30th, 1920; new scale to be negotiated by December 31st. The final conference between the Trade Union deputation and the Government took place at Downing Street on Sunday. October 5th. It began at 11.30 a.m., and at 4.15 p.m, terms of settlement had been reached. There was quite a large gathering in the historic house, representing the Executives of the N.U.R. and the A.S.L.E. & F., and the intermediary conference of Trade Union leaders, including Mr. Henderson. Mr. Clynes, Mr.nbBrownlie, Mr. O'Grady, and many others. Then, too, there was the Cabinet, and many Government officials. Lunch was provided on the premises, and while Mr. Lloyd George was engaged with Mr. Thomas and Mr. Bromley, the rest repaired to the drawing-room. At 4.20 they began to emerge, and the news of a satisfactory settlement caused universal pleasure.

The terms were as follow:—


 * 1.—Work to be resumed forthwith