RAILWAY CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1268, 25 October 1911, Page 5

RAILWAY CRISIS.

MEN IN FIGHTING AIOOD. COMMISSION'S REPORT DECLARED A DISGRACE. THREAT OF GENERAL STRIKE, By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, Octolxsr 23. Tito executive of tlio Amalgamated iSo. ciely of Railway Servants will meet is Loudon <in October 30 to consider llio Railway Oomniihsion's report. Tlio Liverpool branch of tlio society recommends a twenty-four liours J ult> matum, Tlie Sheffield and Bradford branches o{ this Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants passed resolutions repudiating the commission's rf'jwjrt. The Doncastcr men resolved to ask fop a joint committoo. Tliey demand an eight-hours' day, a minimum wage of thirty shillings weekly, and unqualified recognition of tho unions. Failing cont» plianco wilh theso demands within a fortnight there will be n general strike. Mr. 0. N. Harncs, Labour 31.P. foj BlacMriars (Glasgow), says that lllfl Railway Commission's method of adjust* ing tlio railway trouble was an improves ment oil (ho method of 1907.

Mr. Williams, secretary of tho AmaJ» gamated Society of Railway says that if tho railway men continue working under present conditions until next July it will bo an absolute disgrace condemning one . hundred thousand moo to work for loss Ihnn a pound a week. Mr. Applcton says he appreciates thfl disappointment of the men, but trust® that for (ho timo being they will 6wallo* their resentment and honourably cany out tho undertaking, firmly determining to sweep .away tho decision-at the propaf timo. NOT BOUND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. (Rec. October 24, 9.55 p.m.) London, October 21. Tho men's leaders declare that they never bound themselves to accept thj commissioners' findings. The Leeds branch of tho Amalgamated Society urgo the declaration of a national strike. Mr. A. Henderson, Labour M.P, for Barnard Castlo and ono of tlio members' of tho rceent Commission, in an interview, said it was untrue that tho Commission had not conccdcd the recognitioa of tlio unions, lie also declared that nothing could bo dono before the termination of the existing agreements. Tho commissioners recommended the election of new Iwards as early as possible. Mr. Keir llardie, Labour M.P. for Merthyr-Tydvil, speaking at Koigliley, said if a fair minimum wage and rccogi. nilion of tho unions was refused tho railwaymen had no option but t'o strike.