The labor world., 1922-08-26
BRITISH RAILWAY union STRIVES
T0MA|NTAIN PEACE IN INDUSTRY
Adopts Policy Of Cancellation and Endeavos to Cooperate
With Carriers in Bring ing About Cancellation

London-This years annual con-
ference Of the National Union of
Railwaymen at Bradford has shown
conclusively that the influence Of the
extremists has been rapidly waning
in this body, that the~moderate lead
ers. like j. H. Thomas, have COM
ptetely reasserted their authority
and re-established confidence in
themselves, and that other leaders
who were disposed to be aggressive
in the industrial field at one time.
like c. T. Tramp, are now among
the most fervent advocates of con-
ciliation and honest jealous work
in return for fair conditions.
Two or three years ago, the Ma
tiOnal Union was regarded a. the
most militant Of unions. and even
when, after a period of acute un-
rest and advocacy of strike by many
district Leaders of the men, the pres
ent favorable wage agreement was
negotiated with the government, the
action of Mr.. Thomas and his COL
lagues was strongly criticized. Again,
when the Triple" Alliance breakdown
occurred during the coal trouble last
year, Mr. Thomas was subjected !,
the most virulent denunciation by
a majority Of the union members.
All this now is ended. The failures
OF the miners and Of the engineers
and shipbuildins workers have con-
vinced the railwaymen that it is to
their interest to avoid conflict, If
they possibly can. They realize fully
that If they had struck against the
had Joined in a sympathetic strike
with the miners, they would have
been in a far worse position today.
Workers Give Best Service.
Their present position, which
was gathered from conversation
with officials and delegates at
Bradford, is this: In response to
constant appeals by their leaders,,
and especially by Mr.. Thomas, the
majority of the rail workers have
rarely, if ever before, been so as
siduous in their duties, or so eager
to improve the efficiency of the serv-
ice. They hope, through the newly
stablished machinery of joint coun-
ellis, to contribute more ideas for the
increase Of efficiency, and to remove
all kinds of small but irritating
grievances which tend to prevent
smooth working in the depots. Elec-
tions of workers representatives to
these councils of which each COM
pany has five, for specific groups
of workers, have aroused great in
.terest throughout the service.
Turning to the employers side, it
appears that while some of the man
ayers are in favor Of forcing the
wage issue, whatever the cOnse.
quences might be, others hold that
1t would pay the companies to con-
tinue the present wage agreement,
providing that the men continue to
cooperate with the management in
reducing costs in other directions,
and in giving whole hearted service
They argue that it might in the long
run be more costly if they compelled
the acceptance of reduced wages at
ter period of strife, and if this led
to slack work by discontented em-
ployes.
Effect of This Plainly Seen.
Mr. Thomas and his colleagues are
pressing this view with all the elo-
uuence they can command, both .on
the companies and on the men. It is
particularly important that Mr.
Cramp, the secretary of the union,
is pointing out to the men with much
force of argument that they have to
consider the interests of the public
that the companies cannot get rev.
enue If their rates are too high for
traders to bear, and that unless rev.
enue is obtained their improved
ages cannot be paid.
The effect Of all this has been
seen plainly of late, and some of the
managers have frankly expressed
their appreciation Of the manner in
which the railmen are now work.
Ing. An interesting indicatio1> of the
wider interest which they are taking
In the affairs of the companies and
In the public point Of view was given
at the Bradford conference, when
the delegates pledged their members
to do everything possible to remove
the great evil of pilfering, which
has increased to such an extent since
the war that both the companies and