RAILWAY CRISIS.

MR. HENDERSON’S MISSION TO THE MEN’S LEADERS. “A LITTLE FRIENDLY TALK.”

The crisis reached in regard to the threatened strike of railway engine men showed no sign yesterday of becoming less acute, and, Mr. J. Bromley, general secretary of the Associated Society of Railway Enginemen and Firemen, told a representative of The Daily Telegraph that he “saw no ray of hope.” He was present at a meeting of railway staff managers and representatives of the two unions at the railway companies’ offices in Parliament-street, and this fact naturally gave rise to the supposition that Mr. Bromley and the five members of his executive had come to discuss matters concerning the crisis, but as a matter of fact the business was entirely of a routine character, and no reference whatever was made to the threatened strike.

The most significant incident of the day was a visit paid by Mr. Arthur Henderson, secretary to the Labour party, to Mr. Bromley at the union’s headquarters at Hampstead, where he remained for about an hour. Rumour credited his visit with an intention on the part of the Labour party to bring pressure to bear on the enginemen, but this was subsequently discounted by Mr. Bromley. “There cannot be any political pressure brought to bear by the Labour party,” he said when questioned as to the interview. “There was bound to be a little friendly talk between us, as I am myself a bit of a figure in the political world, but as far as official pressure is concerned my answer is ‘No.’ We had a little friendly chat, but I do not think anything will arise out of it.”

A statement which appeared in a newspaper last night to the effect that Miss Margaret Bondfield, M.P., Mr. F. Bramley (general secretary to the Trades Union Congress General Council), and Mr. E. C. Poulton (who signed the wages award as the council’s representative) were endeavouring to exert their influence was thrown down by Mr. Bramley, who told a representative of The Daily Telegraph that he had no knowledge of any private intervention on the part of any members of the council, and that the statement referred to was untrue. “I have nothing to add,” he said, “to the statement that was issued to the Press after the meeting on Monday, and we have no report here of any other form of intervention. It is a very difficult and delicate situation, and no unofficial observations can be made by myself.”

LABOUR PARTY AND INTERVENTION.

The only loophole left through which it is even yet possible a strike may be averted would appear to be an effort, which the Labour party is credited with being desirous of making, to induce the railway companies to suspend temporarily putting into operation the terms of the award, which takes effect at the end of this week. If the railway companies could be induced to do this, it is hoped that time would be afforded for persuading the enginemen to adopt a less uncompromising attitude, and for opening up a way of escape. No confirmation of any such step on the part of the Labour party could be obtained yesterday, however, and inquiries in railway circles elicited that no such overtures had been made up to last night.

Mr. Bromley issued a lengthy statement yesterday criticising the railway companies’ figures in regard to the men’s wages. The award, he maintains, would act prejudicially not only on the mileage men, who would have to do more work for less money, but by displacing men now employed on other trains, or in disposal of mileage engines, would cause displaced drivers to be reduced to firemen, at weekly losses of 6s, 12s, or 18s per week, according to their rates; and displaced firemen to be reduced to engine cleaners, with weekly losses of 6s, 9s, or 15s respectively.

HARD TO AVERT A STRIKE. BY OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT

Mr. Arthur Henderson, as secretary of the National Joint Council – a body representing the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, the Parliamentary Labour party, and the national executive of the Labour party – took steps yesterday to ascertain whether it was desirable to summon a meeting to deal with the railway strike crisis. After full consideration of the position, Mr. Henderson has decided not to call the National Joint Council together, and it may be assumed that, for the present, at any rate, intervention from inside the trade union movement is regarded as offering small chance of success. In Parliamentary Labour circles it is believed that it will be difficult to avert a strike.

POSITION AT CREWE. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. CREWE, WEDNESDAY.

There is a strong feeling in Crewe railway circles that a strike is inevitable. There are 850 drivers and firemen in the Crewe sheds, and 700 are members of the Associated Society. The remainder, in the National Union, are unfavourable to a strike.

The railway company are making extensive preparations, and already the company’s doctors are busy examining men ready to take the line.

The official date of the strike is Sunday midnight.