biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-22

THE RECENT STRIKE ON THE
MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Mr. E. S. Ellis, in presiding at the half.yearly
meeting of the Midland Railway on Tuesday, referring
to the recent strike, said :—" The subject of the strike
excited much public attention, and the directors were
criticised for making any reduction in the wages of
their servants. It was, of course, impossible to please
everybody. But he could not forget that the directors
were responsible for the economical as well as the
efficient management of the company's affairs, and
they believed it was their duty to make a certain re-
duction in tbeir working expenses, justified by the con-
dition of the labour market and by similar action on
the part of other companies. Some of their critics
had told them that a permanent service like that of
a railway company should not follow the fluctuations
of the labour market. But this proposition was evi-
dently unsound, for all experience had shown that
when labour had been scarce they, like other employers,
must increase their wages, and it was a fact in their
case that the reductions, as a rule, did not equal the rise
established in times of prosperity. He had referred to the
question at some length, because he had been anxious
to remove some misapprehensions which appeared to
exist. The strike was unsuccessful, and it was pos-
sible that some ill-feeling had been left behind; but he
hoped that would shortly pass away, and at all events
he trusted that those who elected the directors to the
positions they held would believe that they did not
desire to be hard taskmasters, or to screw the utter-
most farthing out of their servants, but were rather
anxious to have around them a contented, permanent,
and efficient body of servants. In conclusion, he
desired to express thus publicly the thanks of the
directors to the large body of loyal men who had
adhered to their duty and by whose assistance they
had been able to keep the traffic moving with so little
comparative interruption." (Cheers.)
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-22

HARTS HILL.

RELIEF FUND.—The committee on Tuesday last
and yesterday, distributed at the re•idence of the
treasurer, about 160 loaves of bread, and 2‘ 0 quarts
of soup. In consequence of the funds being in a
low state, the committee will be reluctantly com-
pelled to distribute only once a week. Subscriptions
will be thankfully received by the Rev. J. Hartley
(chairman), Brampton Terrace; Mr. Jno. Riley,
(treasurer), Yew Tree Cottage • Mr. David Batham
(secretary), Bank Street, Brierfey Hill, or any mem-
ber of the committee. We understand they intend
having a concert in order to raise funds, and many
have volunteered their services. We hope it will be
a signal succest.