Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-06
English Railway Strike Ends
Premier and Union Heads Agree
Wage Concession to Workers
Men to Resume Work
l I'm m e ID a t ly
Wages to Be Stabil-
lied at Present Level
Minimum Of 81
Shillings Per Week

London, Oct 5.--(By The Associ-
ated Press.)-The strike Of railroad
men, which has been in progress
upon the British railroads since mid :
night September IS was settled to-
da:'.
Settlement followed a meeting be-
tween Premier Lloyd George and
members of the executive board of
the national union of railway men,
which was arranged at last nights
conference between A. Bonar Law
and the Cancellation committee Of
the trades union.
The official terms of settlement are
as follows:
"First-Work shall be resumed
Immediately.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS will be re-
sumed on the understanding that
they shall be completed before the
end of the year.
"Third--Wages will be stabilized at
the present level until September 80,
1920. and at any time alter August
l they may be reviewed in the light
of circumstances then existing.
"Fourth-No adult railway men in
Great Britain shall receive less than
81 shillings per week while the cost
of living is no per cent. above the
pre-war level.
"Fifth-The railway union agree
that their men will work harmonious
ly with the men who returned 10 work
or who remained at work during the
strike. tNor shall there be any VIC
limitation of strikers.
"Sixth-Arrcars of wages will be
paid, on resumption of work"
1t is conceded on all sides that the
settlement is the outcome of the
moderate but determined efforts of
the executive of the Transport Work
ers' Federation and men like Arthur
Henderson and John Robert Cliries,
who throughout have set their faces
steadily against the idea of a sym
pathetic strike until every possible
avenue of mediation had been eX-
plored.
James Henry Thomas, secretary Of
the National Union of Railway Men,
received tremendous ovation to-
night when he appeared to address
some 5000 of the men in Albert hall
1t was an impressive moment when
after the hurricane Of cheering sub
sided. the audience rose and sang
abide with Me-"
Secretary Thomas, in the course OF
his speech, paid a warm tribute to
the great and worthy part" the pre-
mier had played in assisting them
to reach what Mr.. Thomas would not
claim as victory but as IAN honor
able settlement" 1t was the pre-
mier who had invited the deputatior
no question whatever of asking tht
men to surrender
Secretary Thomas claimed that this
had been the greatest fight of or
ganized workers in history and that
it had been conducted solidly, loyal
ly, peaceably and orderly, and in this
he believed, the railway men had
given an example to the world.
The conference of trade unions
called for Tuesday and other ar
engagements contingent upon the con-
l'tinuance of the strike have been
abandoned but it is stated that the
organization for the formation OF
citizen guards will not be interfered
with.
The conference in Downing street
was a very friendly affair. All pres
ent seemed to anticipate a settle
ment, and after Premier LLOYD
George had explained the new terms
he left the delegates to discuss them
When the luncheon hour arrived, the
premier suggested that all stay, in
stead of separating. A raid was made
on the Downing street commisariat
and, finding it equal to the need OF
the large party. a jovial meal fol-
lowed. the premier's secretaries car
rying the joint and assisting in carv
ing it. while jokes flew around the
table. The conference was then re-
sumed.