The great railway strike in Scotland has ended, as was
Inevitable after the men had suffered themselves to descend to outrage, in the surrender of the strikers. Those employed <>11 the North British line, who had much the best case, gave way on Thursday, practically without conditions, except that the Directors should for two months give them a preference in tilling up vacancies. The Caledonian men are still out, the General Manager requiring unconditional submission ; but it is not likely that they will carry on the contest alone. It is well that the men have lost this battle, as a warning to them and all workmen that they must keep within the bounds of legality; but we earnestly trust that the Directors of both Companies will take advantage of their victory to remove at once any 3ust grievance in connection with hours. No men entrusted with such grave duties as engine-drivers and signalmen are,
ought to be either required or allowed to work more than sixty hours a week, except in cases of sudden and demonstrable emergency. We are most anxious that large employers of all kinds should recognise some such maximum as this, for they may rely on it, as we have argued elsewhere, that it is round this question that the first great fight with Socialism will be fought. The demand for excessive hours, which, besides wearing men out, spoil the quality of work, is the weakest bastion in the capitalist fortress, and employers should settle Clearly in their own minds where excess begins. After that, a working compromise will become possible.
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