14 APRIL 1923, Page 1

At present it has been decided not to negotiate, but

simply to allow a national railway strike to occur if and when the companies enforce their demands. But on Monday Mr. J. H. Thomas made a speech in which he urged the men to agree to negotiate. He made it perfectly clear that this was not in any way because he considered any part of the companies' demands justifiable, but simply because it would undoubtedly prejudice the men's case with public opinion if they refused to negotiate. Thus the danger of another railway strike, with all the dislocation and suffering that it brings, while not imminent, is yet by no means remote.