STRIKE COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1220, 31 August 1911, Page 5

STRIKE COMMISSION.

WHY CONCILIATION FAILED

THE MEN'S VIEWS, . By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (lice. August 30, 9.35 p.m.) London, August 30. Mr. Fox, on behalf of the Engineers' ami Firemen's Society, testified before the Railway Strike Inquiry Commission that hundreds of cases of irritation arose from conditions of servico outside tho purview of the conciliation scheme. Ho instanced tho question of fines, and said the men were often punished unjustifiably. They were not allowed to prove their innocence, and.had no means of redress. Conciliation was an absolute failure, through not dealing with questions vitally affecting the men. The recognition of tho unions was necessary in order to prevent strikes. Mr. Fox suggested tho establishment of a tribunal of two members each elected by the masters and men, with an independent chairman to settle disputes when local efforts had failed. Ho would bt> prepared to concede that workmen breaking an honourable agreement should not receive, financial assistance, but declined to give a direct reply whether tliose carrying out an award should be protected from interference by those opposing it.

Mr. Louth, secretary of the General Railway Workers' Union, complained of tho growth in tho number of casual workers, and the reduction of permanent hands. This resulted in the concessions obtained from the companies being only applied to permanents. Owing to tho absence of recognition, tho unions had lost influence and failed in their early efforts to keep the men working during tho late strike. An objectionable feature of the Conciliation Board was the lengthy periods of tho, awards, preventing any application for increased wages, however much tho companies prospered.

Other witnesses favoured tho Board of TTade as umpire in disputes, with two assessors representing tho companies and the men. A preference was expressed for separate boards. ENGINE-DEIVEES' GRIEVANCE. London, August 29. Drivers on tho Great Eastern Railway threaten to strike unless they arc reinstated in their old positions as express drivers. Since the strike they have been transferred to goods trains. AMERICAN DISMISSALS. .Chicago, August 29. Light has been thrown on tho discontent nmong tho railwaymon in the United States by figures published showing that the leading railroads during the past year dispensed with eighty thousand employees. STRIKE AFTERMATH. THE SHOOTING AT LLANELLY. (Eec. August 31, 0.10 a.m.) London, August 30. The trouble on the Great Eastern lines is chiefly with tho acting-drivers, who found that during the strike others were promoted to their positions. Considerable loot has been recovered at, Rhymney, and a number of arrests have been made. , Giving e-videnco at tho inquest at Llanelly, Major Stuart testified that ha gave the, people ample warning . before firing. Ho regretted tho. necessity "of performing a painful duty. A verdict of justifiable homicide' iras returned.