The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

The Engine Drivers' Agitation.

The present week will, it is believed, witness the
end of the agitation which has now existed for nearly
two months, the directors of all the railway compa-
nies being disposed, since the settlement of the ques-
tion on the Loudon and North-Western, London,
Brighton, and South Coast, Great Western, and
North-Eastern Railways, to grant the requirements
of the men as far as it is reasonable to do so. In
almost every case where the drivers and firemen had
sent in memorials the principal claims as to hours
and wages have, after long discussion, been granted.
There are still many minor points to be settled,
such as the mileage and the " shed-day," and griev-
ances attaching to certain lines, which by the force
of circumstances are not felt on others; but with
mutual forbearance there is now no reason to doubt
that will soon be overcome. The agitation which
was brought into prominent significance during the
past week by the " one day's strike" has hardly been
before the public two months, and many therefore
will be surprised to learn that the drivers and fire-
men have for several years been endeavouring to
arrive at the result now attained. They have sought
to attain this by interviews, but with the exception of
one or two lines their claims to consideration have
not been attended to. In November last a great
conference was held in London, which was attended
by delegates from railways in all parts of the king-
dom, at which the grievances of the men of each
particular company were set forth. The conference
extended over several days, and at its close certain
resolutions were drawn up and approved, which have
since been embodied in the memorials presented to
the various boards of directors. Such, in brief, is
the origin of the dispute now nearly settled. The
notice of the men of the North British Railway, re-
, questing that during their dispute with their super-
intendent drivers on other lines will not apply for
situations as engine•drivers or firemen, is still pub-
lished, leading to the inference that matters were not
progressing so favourably as could be wished. We
are, however, enabled to state that there is a prospect
of an amicable settlement. The engine-drivers of the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway had au interview
with the superintendent of the line on Saturday, and
we have authority for stating that the ten hours per
day was granted, together with the other principal
requests as set forth in the memorial. The ten
hours has been granted on the North London Rail-
way, and many grievances redressed, and the same
may be said of the Brecon and Merthyr and other
companies in the west of England. OnSunday even-
ing a special meeting of the engine-drivers and fire-
men of the South Eastern Railway Company was
held at Bermondsey, Mr. Milman in the chair, to
hear the opinions of the men respecting the circular
letters sent in to the company by them, asking for
10 hours a day, instead of 72 hours per week, under
which they are now working. It appears that the
South Eastern men were the first to take action by
memorialising the directors for fewer hours and more
money. It is only fair to the directors to say that
they granted both requests at the time, but the sys-
tem of 72 hours on an engine-driver for the week,
which the directors got the men to sign for, was
manifestly so wrong that hardly had it been granted
than the men were dissatisfied, for the extra line
frequently bringing the day's work to 17 and 18
hon:•s, revived iu full force the grievance of which
they all so much complained. It was then determined
that as soon as the ten hours had been conceded by
the companies, the men should again memorialise
the directors. This has been done, and we have
reason to believe that the boon will be granted.

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