Prolonged sittings of the Executive began on the close of the Conference, and it was first decided to ask for an interview with the Railway Executive, or General Managers' Committee, to discuss the following points:—
1.—The immediate application of Clause 72 (of the 1914 Conciliation Scheme) to our locomotive members.2.—National Programme on behalf of locomotivemen.3.—Establishment of machinery free from other grades for maintenance of locomotivemen's conditions of service.
Messrs. Oxlade and Stevenson were the drafting committee in relation to No. 3, and Messrs. Wild, Stevenson, Healey, Wride and Branson were the sub-committee to fix up the draft of such machinery, the other Executive members to devote attention to the National Programme. This was compiled and adopted, placing the eight hour day in the forefront, and presenting a daily wage scale which is exceeded in the Conditions of Service now operating.
Mr. Mackereth, of York, wired to secure an interview with the Executive in June, respecting Fireman Brown, a new member, against whom the military authorities were taking legal proceedings for refusing to submit to medical examination. This was contrary to the arrangement made with the Railway Executive on May 25th, and Sir A. Kaye Butterworth was wired to that effect. Brown was defended and a shorthand note taken of the proceedings, which were dealt with by the sub-committee meeting the managers on June 9th. Other important cases of practically compulsory enlistment arising at the same time were Fireman Yemm, of Ardsley, and Fireman Hutton, of Birkenhead. At the same time the War Office wrote asking to vary the agreement entered into with the General Secretary on March 22nd, 1917, as conditions had changed and many more railwaymen were required for service. On this and other urgent subjects the Railway Executive did not wish to meet the A.S.L.E. & F. alone, but it had to concede that point, and a sub-committee of five were appointed: Messrs. Oxlade, Stevenson, Wild, Cooke, and Wride, with the General Secretary,
