Sometimes I gave way to the men and
sometimes I stuck to my revised rota. Every case varied and required
special consideration. The Committee also said: "It is universally
admitted that the railway service is very popular under existing
conditions; and several railway servants who appeared as witnesses
protested vigorously against any interference by Government or the
Legislature." State interference, I know, is the fashion now; but the
blind worship of _any fashion_ is but weakness and folly.
The Act of 1893 was the outcome of the Report. It provided that on
representation being made to the Board of Trade that the hours of any
railway servants were excessive, the Board might inquire into the
complaint, and order the company concerned to submit an amended schedule
of time and duty for such servants, and if the railway company failed to
comply with the order the matter might then be referred to the Railway
Commisioners whose order the company must obey under a penalty of 100
pounds a day. I do not think any company was ever fined; nor do I,
indeed, remember the Commissioners services being required.
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