the annual report, instead of being a single leaf as in 1880, extended to 103 pages of closely printed matter.
About the year 1920 I must be very brief, for the story has lured me away over time and space until I must shut off steam and pull the brakes hard over, ready for the arrival home. The year opened amid considerable discussion of the new scheme of railway control, propounded by Sir Eric Geddes in the House of Commons early in December of 1919. The Ministry of Transport had been established in August, after four months of discussion, and the new scheme set up a Central Board, a National Wages Board, and a Railway Advisory Committee. It had been agreed that failing agreement on matters of wages and conditions by the Central Board, the subject in dispute should be referred to the National Wages Board, consisting of four railway managers, four railway workers' representatives, and four users of railways, including representatives of the Trade Union Congress and the Co-operative movement. The following formed the first Railway Advisory Committee:—Mr. A. Adlington, G.W.R.; Mr. J. Bromley, A.S.L.E. & F.; Sir Alex. Kaye-Butterworth, N.E.R.; Mr. C. T. Cramp, N.U.R.; Mr. C. H. Dent, G.N.R.; Sir Francis Dent, S.E. & C. Rly.; Sir Sam Fay, G.C.R.; Sir Wm. Forbes, L.B. & S.C.; Mr. D. A. Matheson, Caledonian Rly.; Mr. F. Tatlow, Midland Rly.; Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P., N.U.R.; Sir Henry Thornton, G.E.R.; Mr. A. G. Walkden, Railway Clerks: Sir Herbert Walker, L. & S.W. Rly.; Mr. Arthur Watson, L. & Y.; Sir Thomas Williams, L. & N.W.
Sir Eric Geddes further explained that local committees, to which matters purely local, and other than of national importance, could be referred, would be set up. The third point forming the subject of conversation with the railwaymen or their representatives was in connection with the control exercised under the Ministry of Transport Act. The Railway Executive Committee, as such, would cease to exist probably on January 1st, and an Advisory Committee would be set up, which would consist of 12 General Managers and four representatives of the workers. The agreement precluded
