RAILWAYS CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 35, 5 November 1907, Page 5

RAILWAYS CRISIS.

BALLOT FIGURES.

WOULD THE MEN REALLY STRIKE? . MR.BELL AND "THE TIMES." JiY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION , —COPYRIGHT. (Roc. Nov. 4, 11.16 p.m.). tondor!, November 4. The Right Hon. J. E. Ellis, Liberal member for Rushcliffe division of Nottinghamshire., presiding nt an overflow meeting of rail way men nt tho Albert Hall, said tho omens wore favourable to a settlement, but, if the result was less happy than thoy hoped it would be, it was the- Government's duty ro submit to Parliament a scheme for the compulsory adjustment of the differences boWeen the Boards of Directors and the workers. * i Mr. R. Bell, member of the House of Commons, and secretary of the Amalgamate-.] Society of Railway Servants, quoted stair istics to show that, tho railway men were badly paid and were ill-used. Amid enthusiasm, ho announced that 97,631 ballot papers had been issued, putting the question whether tho voter would be prepared to strike if called on to do so, and 88,134 hnd been returned. Tho result of these was:-r-Fo: , a strike ... 76,925 Against a strike ... 3775 Majority for ... C 8,150

Mr. Bell expressed a hope that the result of the conference; "with Mr. Lloyd George, President of tho Board of Trade, on Wednesday . next, would render a strike unnecessary, but if it was inevitable tho men would bo ready.

ANOTHER UNION FAVOURS A STRIKE. (Rec. Nov. 4, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 4. It is announced at Manchester that up? wards of 3000 members 'of tho General Railway Workers' Union, in response, to a ballot, favoured a strike.; 1000 members did not reply.. ' (Hoc. Nov. 4, 10.1S p.m.) Lomlon, November 4. Clerks in tho goods department of the Midland Railway Company at Derby have presented to the diroctprn an address, expressing their' loyalty to tho Company, and condemning 'Mr! Richard Boll's • demand. Tho "Times" warns Mr. Richard Hell that 76,925 votes is only just over 12 per cent, of, tho railway men of the country., Tho "Times" adds that there is a wide differ-, onco botweon declaring anonymously in favour of letting other people decklo to strikeif they see fit, and abandoning one's situation at somebody else's order. Tho " Timo3 " declares that Mr. Bell will bo unablo to rely on half of these men actually resigning their positions. •

The. demands of tho Amalßamated Society of Railway Servants lire reported to be as follow:— , „ Kiaht-hour standard day for oil.concorned in the movement of vehicles, Ten-hour day for all -others, except pintoNo man to be called out for duty with • less than nine, hours' vest. ' Minimum of rate nnd a quarter for all • time worked over standard hours. Sunday duty (i.e., midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday), mimimnm , payment of rate aud a half. Immediate adVanco of 2s. to all grades who do not receive tho eight hours' day. All grades in London district a minimum of 3s. per week above country districts wages. Recognition of the men's union. '" 'With-regard to tho Quuornl Workers' Union, it seems that "upwards of 3000" would be a majority of that body, which is credited with a , -membership of 5000. The importance'of the. clerks may be ganged from tho following figures, showing tho subdivisions of the army of 581,000 railway workers :— Engine-drivers 25,012 Clerks Cs,fl9q Firemen ... 23,2-12 Inspectors ... S,7il!) Guards ' 22,723 Mechanics ... &i,\SS Signalmen ... 27,1)71 Stationmnsters 8,f128 Porters 52,977 M'icket collectors 3,620