140
Engines and Men
Unfortunately, the possibility of this was accepted by Mr. Bell and his assistant secretary. Mr. Williams, and there was criticism of the attitude taken by Mr. Thomas at the Inquiry. The Railway Review" said: "Moreover, in ordinary life we are quite familiar with dozing and daydreaming as recognised failings of a few minutes." The debate in question turned upon the defence of Driver Martin, and it reviews the whole details of the tragedy. The Conciliation Board scheme was only the substitution of a new method of approach on questions of honest wages, providing for conciliation and arbitration on matters raised by either side, in the following manner:
(a) Boards to be formed for each railway company which adheres to the scheme.
(b) The various grades of employees covered by the scheme to be grouped for this purpose in a suitable number of sections, and the area served by the company to be divided if necessary for purposes of election into a suitable number of districts.
(c) The employees belonging to each section to choose from themselves one or more representatives from each district, to form the employees' side to meet representatives of the company.
(d) Where a sectional board fails to arrive at a settlement, the question to be referred, on the motion of either side, to the Central Conciliation Board.
(e) In the event of the Conciliation Boards being unable to arrive at an agreement, or the Board of Directors or the men failing to carry out the recommendations, the subject of difference to be referred to arbitration of a single arbitrator.
(f) The present scheme to be in force until twelve months, after notice has been given by one side to the other to terminate it. No such notice to be given within six months of the present date.
