early in 1891, to inquire into the question whether railway workers' hours should be reduced by legislation as previously alluded to. The Society was invited to give evidence, and at a special Executive, held on March 1st, it was "Proposed by M. J. Dickinson, and seconded by J. Watkinson, that with a view to ascertaining the opinion of the various branches on the question of hours and wages, also whether the branches are desirous that our Society should take any action or part in giving evidence before the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the long hours, etc., of railwaymen, that the following letter be sent to branches for their consideration, and a reply asked for:—
Fellow Members,
We, the Executive Committee, desire to bring before your notice the agitation existing in various industries throughout the United Kingdom, also that in consequence of the same Parliament is now appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into conditions of labour, but, so far as enginemen and firemen are concerned, we think that by far the best results would be obtained by interviewing the local superintendent and railway directors, with a view to those improvements in our conditions of service which we consider necessary, believing that by a conciliatory policy it will help to foster a good feeling between employers and employed. For we, as practical men, know that it is impossible during dense fogs and breakdowns to arrange for men to finish work at ten or twelve hours, and if we insist upon it being done in ordinary circumstances it would necessitate considerably more lodging away from home, which is an evil in itself. Again, during the winter months the companies would require more hands if all men were reduced to a bare six days per week, but during the summer months men would only get from three to four days weekly, seeing that the companies do not at present guarantee a full week's pay or work, or they would be compelled to discharge a good many of their men. We would ask you, then, if you will consider well the following, and if by so
