Author: Stuart Butler

Plymouth Strikers v Police 1926

Imagine the scene if you are able:

A procession of some 4,000 people,

With union banners and a brass band

(The day after the same number of people

Battled with police when ‘volunteers’

Attempted to break the General Strike,

By taking out some trams on to Plymouth’s streets)

Marching in procession to the match,

Where thousands more are gathered.

Then imagine this scene if you are able:

The chief constable’s wife starts the game,

Not by tossing a coin of the realm,

But by kicking the ball,

And who knows what animosities

Might have been carried from the day before,

As players collided, tackled and shoved –

For we all know that the red mist

Can descend upon even the most pacific of us

In the heat of football’s battle.

And yet, the British Worker reported

“The keen desire of the strikers to keep on good terms with the authorities is exemplified by a novel event at Plymouth, where, in the presence of several thousand people, a strikers’ team defeated the Police team at football by 2 goals to 1. The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off.”

And the governmental British Gazette reported

“Several thousands of persons had gathered to watch … The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off. The match was played in the best spirit from start to finish …”

 

And the New York Times reported

“Striking workers marched in an orderly procession headed by a brass band.”

 

Dear Readers, I would like to set you a challenge,

So as to bring this unique event to life:

Find that mesmerising photograph

Of strikers versus the police,

Use your imagination or research,

Make those football players come alive,

Let’s all write about them and this event,

In a unique way to commemorate

The centenary of the General Strike:

From May 1926 to May 2026.

The Importance of Paddington

 

The government knew that if it were to defeat the unions and end the strike, it had to guarantee food supplies reaching the metropolis. The Docks were problematic from the government’s point of view: working-class, unionised and well picketed. But the Docks were crucial – hence the government’s eventual use of the military there. Paddington was also crucial: it was the chosen entry point for the supply of milk to the capital during the nine days.

Jonathan Schneer in his recently published, quite brilliant and even-handed Nine Days in May shows the importance of Paddington on page 261.

The GWR officially promised the President of the Board of Trade just before the commencement of the strike that “perishable traffic” would continue to enter Paddington with milk the “first consideration.” With milk traffic by road from the South Midlands into London virtually eliminated, Paddington became the nodal point – Schneer writes that ‘even on the first day of the Strike, milk trains were gliding into Paddington Station, not regularly but often enough, and swarms of volunteers were jumping to unload them, and others were packing thousands of milk churns into trucks destined for Hyde Park … The Strike nearly shut down the Great Western Railway, despite management’s many false statements to the contrary. But the milk trains continued to arrive.’ (‘volunteer and blackleg labour’.)

The Ghosts of Strikers Past

As a boy, I grew up with parents and aunts and uncles and grand parents periodically moaning about strikes on the railways. We were a Daily Express household.

But I thought no-one goes on strike at the drop of a hat, and, as a teenager, I thought who on earth can satisfactorily explain the expression ‘trade union barons’ …

Then when a young man, I worked for a short time on the railways and I, too, was involved in a strike.

Going on Strike

I hated the way they looked at me,

Back in I think was 1974,

The day after our ASLEF strike:

There was hatred in their eyes as I trudged

Along the platform to the signal;

It was a long walk, I can tell you,

Me in my uniform, billy can in my hand,

Them in their suits, Telegraphs in their hands,

Watching me walk along that long platform,

Billy can in my hand.

After what seemed to be an hour or so,

I reached the security of the cab,

Where I wanted to turn and shout out loud:

“OK, Let’s start at the end of the last century,

With the Dock Workers’ Strike of 1889,

It showed that zero-hours unskilled workers

Could protect themselves against wage cuts,

And that manual labour did have dignity,

Like on the canals and wharves around Stroud.

And what of Nineteen-Hundred-Eleven?

The Triple Industrial Alliance!

Nostalgic name from Edwardian days,

Railway workers, dockers and miners,

Joined in union solidarity,

Protecting families, wages, lodgings and homes,

Before the Great War claimed them for its own.

The Triple Industrial Alliance!

Defender of the working class after the war,

Against wage cuts and longer working hours,

At the forefront in the General Strike,

In coalmine, railway station and dockland.

And what of the Welsh Hunger Marchers

In the Great Depression of the thirties –

Receiving help and succour as they walked

Through west-country working class towns,

On their poor, solemn, paths to London;

This is all beyond your understanding,

And your capitalist consciousness.”

But the whistle blew:

The flag was green, not red,

And all of this was thought,

Not said.

The later industrial action in the 1970s and 80s culminated in the miners’ strike of 1984-85, and the eventual diminution of trade union power both legally and pragmatically. In addition, the shift from an economy based on manufacturing to one based upon services and finance, coupled with 21^st century practices such as working from home and the gig economy (with zero hours contracts and widening definitions of self-employment) have also led to a decline in trade union membership.

Alongside this, private railway companies and governments have sought ‘value for money’ efficiency savings, cost-cutting, ‘efficiency’ and profitability. And, at one and the same time, passengers, customers and employees have faced a 21^st century ‘cost of living crisis’ – and trade unions have sought to protect their members’ interests.

As an example of all that, I supported the campaign to keep ticket-offices open …

 

Stroud Railway Station

Yes. I remember Stroud Station –

The name, because one afternoon

Of heat, the express-train broke down there

Unwontedly. It was late June.

My phone broke. Someone cleared his throat.

No one left in the ticket office

Or the bare platform. What I saw

Was Stroud Station – only the name

And no one, no one there, no staff,

Just a broken-down ticket machine

And my broken phone where I swear

And stare at the rain clouds in the air.

And for that minute a revenant cried,

Close by, and around him, mistier

Farther and farther, all passengers

In Stroud’s Five Valleys in Gloucestershire.

I was also involved with the RMT and ASLEF action, joining marches, meetings and picket lines:

 

RMT Picket Line

Gloucester 18.8.22

We initially numbered thirteen or so outside the station,

Not so much a last supper at lunchtime,

As a selfless stint on the picket line,

To protect services for the public,

And people’s jobs, pay and conditions of service –

And so much more.

An Aussie railway guard shared his baking:

A tray of home cooked ANZAC biscuits,

A connection with Gallipoli in 1916:

ANZACS and the Gloucester Regiment

In solidarity. A melancholy

Echo of a melancholy past.

Members of the public passed by on the pavement,

Leaflets were politely proffered and accepted

(‘Thanks very much.’

‘All the best. Solidarity.’),

More and more car horns hooted in support,

Cheerful waves were given,

Thumbs were raised in solidarity:

It is uplifting when lives are interconnected:

Individual lives fuse in a community

Of widening collective empathy.

Up above the busy roads and traffic junctions,

The sun beat down again and the wind blew hot again,

After the rain and floods of two days before;

Gulls squawked and circled above the station.

On the pavement, Steve worked hard leafletting,

His tabard was emblazoned thus:

‘7 million and me living in fuel poverty’ –

For the focus here at the picket line

Was wide and vast and selfless:

Banners for Unite, XR, Insulate Britain,

Save our Seafarers, Trans Gloucester,

Gloucester and District Trades Union Council:

The struggle here today is not just for the railways,

It’s also for climate’s struggle, and the Earth’s.

 

What of the future?

Nobody likes a strike, be they passenger, customer, employee, management, shareholder, government or whatever and whoever.

Strikes only happen in extremis.

 

But what will the future bring?

 

Quite rightly, railway companies are concerned about the demographic of their train drivers – so many men over fifty. I have read that young people might well be considered as potential drivers to train (no pun) for main line work from the age of eighteen in the future.

Excellent news.

And if you are reading this, young people, I hope that you might consider a career on the railways – be it as a driver or elsewhere on a train, or on the line or on a platform or in an office.

And I hope you find out what unions can do for you too.

 

But I have hardly touched the surface about job opportunities on the railways as I learned today when visiting the National Rail 200^th anniversary exhibition train at Temple Meads in Bristol (March 25^th 2026). I forgot to mention: Freight Manager, Engineer, Timetable Planner, Camera Operator, Ecologist, I.T. Apprentice, Railway Teacher, Coder, Weather Analyst, Project Manager – all listed there in the carriage about

 

‘Your Railway Future

There’s a role for everyone in rail. Get ready to dive into the coolest hidden jobs that you probably never knew existed.’

‘There’s loads of exciting, and surprising, jobs on today’s railway. And, on Heritage Railways too. We’ve all heard of engineers, train drivers, conductors, timetable planners and marketeers.

But did you know the railway also employs architects, police officers, drone pilots, ecologists, community rail officers, cyber security specialists, telecommunication engineers and marketeers.

We need thousands more people, from all backgrounds to join the railway … Could you be a future pioneer in an industry going places?’

 

And so, to conclude, by hearkening back to the General Strike and 1926. Back then, of course, the vast majority of freight travelled by rail not road. Today, of course, the opposite is the case. Our potholed, rutted and jammed roads bear testimony to this in some ways.

But let’s look to a future where we reclaim the past and the roads. The exhibition at Temple Meads informed me that ‘A single freight train is able to transport enough materials to build 30 houses’ and ‘Up to £2.45 billion is contributed to the UK economy’ each year by rail freight.

 

When I stand on the platform at Swindon waiting for my train and I watch a class 66 thunder through with its seemingly infinite number of wagons reminiscent of some American half mythologized film-scape, or I see a class 66 with its seemingly never-ending train in tow waiting at a red light, and then when I dodge the potholes on my bike as the lorries and SUVs and trucks come thundering past and when I breathe that air … then I know with even more certainty that the future is rail not road.

 

Rail not road: The Ghosts of Potholes Past …

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proust, T.S. Eliot and a Municipal Rubbish Tip in Swindon

 

I’d written the following for the Bristol Radical History Festival April 2026 for a scheduled talk:

‘A Railway Town and the General Strike: Nine Days in Swindon in May 1926

Swindon was a proud GWR town with 14,000 workers ‘inside’ the railway works’ 310 acres. But the GWR ‘railway servants’ were anything but servile during the General Strike. Hear the fascinating tale of the mock funeral cortege where ‘coffins’ decorated with weeds for nine strike-breaking footplatemen were symbolically cremated on the municipal rubbish tip. The police even cleared the streets of traffic for the cortege … Only in Swindon …’

On a fresh spring day towards the end of March

I thought I might revisit the General Strike back home …

Only nine drivers broke the strike in Swindon.

Fireman Taylor had the idea of treating them as though they were dead, having a mock funeral procession

and cremation on the Corporation rubbish tip.

And so, in a Swindonian version

Of the old Skimmington cavalcade,

Whereby transgressors of a local moral code

Were lampooned in effigy and with rough music,

Some strike breakers were honoured with a procession:

A mock funeral cortege that wound its way

To the council rubbish tip for ‘cremation’;

The coffins, made by firemen, were embellished,

By wives, mothers, daughters, grand-mothers and aunts,

With curtains or cloth, and wreaths of nettles

And dandelions for floral decoration;

The cortege was followed by some thousand people,

While every street showed its approbation:

‘Of course, when we called with a coffin all the neighbours came out.

They were delighted! We had no trouble with any of them;

almost everyone in those streets had someone on strike themselves.

We had the whole population with us in the demonstration.’

With the police granting permission

And controlling the traffic

Around ‘Manchester Road, the Centre and down by The Ship’;

Traditional rough music:

The death knell created with an iron monger’s shop sign,

a trowel and a four-foot long set square.

A mock undertaker in top hat, long tail coat,

black gloves and striped trousers led the cortège

A derisive cacophony and pandemonium,

Greeted the cortege on its way to Morris Street,

And mock funeral service and cremation:

‘At each home [of a strikebreaker] when we knocked we told them we’d come to take them for a ride, and that if they didn’t come with us we’d have the pleasure of burying them.’  ‘A woman came out of her shop to give them two gallons of paraffin for the cremation. Joe Baldwin, a train driver, borrowed a white table cloth from a lady in the street, and dressed in this as a surplice he said a burial service over the nine coffins.

As he set fire to them his last words were

‘May the wind blow their remains to the corners of the earth,

And to hell with them all’.

It was an eldritch sort of spring blossom day –

You know the sort of day when time is all over the place –

The present haunts the past and the past haunts the present

In a bewitching simultaneity.

It started straightforwardly enough,

Walking by the old platform bay at Stroud Station,

Gazing down at the nettles, weeds and dandelions,

Down by the old mouldering sleepers and points lever

(It was only later that I recalled the funeral cortege:

Wreaths of nettles and dandelions for floral decoration);

I was off to Swindon to the railway museum

For the 40^th anniversary of the closure of the railway works,

And, on impulse, decided to walk to Morris Street,

Following in the ghost steps of that 1926 cortege,

Along busy traffic filled Rodbourne Road,

Trying to find the spot where that mock funeral took place,

On the site of the old municipal rubbish tip.

My walk was accompanied by a variety of lorries

Collecting rubbish in the railway village and Rodbourne:

It was bin -day, rubbish collection day,

Young men at work now vaping rather than dragging on a Woodbine,

High vis jackets and baseball caps rather than flat caps and waistcoats.

But it was a decidedly odd feeling:

A ghost road walk to a former rubbish tip

In the company of today’s collectors of bins,

But such is the nature of coincidence, I suppose.

I decided to walk without map or phone so as to ask the way,

To have conversations in the street,

Perhaps even mention the nature of my quest,

So as to bring the past alive,

And a friendly resident pointed me in the right direction,

Showing me the map on his phone,

And so, I eagerly made my way to and then along Morris Street.

The houses were, as I expected, Victorian redbrick terrace,

But then petered out with 1930s and post-war houses,

With a footpath public park and playground

At the end beyond the trammelled River Ray,

A tributary stream of the River Thames.

So, the only question for me seemed to be:

‘Did the cursing take place where the newer houses now stood,

Or over the small bridge over the stream and into the park?’

I started chatting with a man cleaning his car,

And he told me that opposite where we stood,

Was once a poultry farm,

And where we were standing in the middle of the road,

Was once a circular cycle speedway track.

His eyes widened when I told him about the cortege

That would have ceremonially passed down the street,

Right there opposite where his house now stood –

It’s good to share stories rather than stick to a phone,

And he reciprocated with tales of the closure of the railway works.

I made my way back to the railway station,

Gazing up to Radnor Street cemetery,

Where Jimmy Thomas of General Strike fame

Gazes down upon the Great Western Railway,

Then walked past the site of the Co-op building from 1912,

A hub during the nine days and more in May 1926,

To reach old platform four where I learned the art of train-spotting,

Only partly resisting the urge to jot down class 66 train numbers …

I took out my phone to ask my sister

If her husband, Rod, who pretty well knows everything

There is to know about Swindon’s history,

Knew anything about the Morris Street municipal dump –

And not even he knew anything,

So here I go now with an internet search …

The search tells me where Swindon’s current recycling centre is …

And also directs me to words I have written

About Morris Street and the funeral Cortege.

And there was nothing else.

Only me in the past.

 

It was that sort of day.

Circular time not linear:

Madeleine moments at Morris Street erstwhile municipal tip,

Or as T.S. Eliot put it:

‘We shall not cease from exploration,

And the end of all our exploring,

Will be to arrive where we started,

And know the place for the first time.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Stroud Journal

May 7 1926

The General Strike

Jottings by Jonathan

 

The general strike hit Stroud Public Library a blow from which it will recover, but which for the moment has left it almost breathless, or speechless.

 

No more, do the out-of-work enter its portals to scan the morning papers for news or perchance a promising advertisement of a situation for which they can apply.

 

No more can the betting man with his bit of pencil and paper copy down the names of horses and seductive tips.

 

For the man of business and leisure there are no lists of stocks and shares, and the sporting enthusiast is debarred information respecting the Australian cricketers or the latest golf and tennis news.

 

A spirit of loneliness and desertion permeates the rooms, and if any casual visitor seeks to solace his soul with the contents of a magazine or the more massive volumes of the “Encyclopaedia Britannica” he cannot, one thinks, escape from the sombre atmosphere engendered by the baneful strike.

 

The British newspapers, like Charlie’s Aunt, are “still running”, but, admirable as they are, they do not compensate for the absence of the hard-hitting, caustic “Morning Post”, the more solid and sober lucubrations of “The Telegraph”, the literary excellence of “The Manchester Guardian”, and the interesting pages of “The Daily News.”

 

It required a stoppage of these and other organs of the Press to make us realise how much we are indebted to them for instruction and amusement.

 

News by wireless can never entirely supersede the printed page.

 

(With thanks to Stroud Town Council)

Stroud Park Walking Football Tournament and Stroud Food Bank May 4th

The General Strike May 4^th 1926

 

On May 4^th 1926, twenty per cent of the workforce went on strike in a first wave of action called by the TUC in support of almost one million miners who were facing wage cuts and an increase in hours “Not a penny off the pay, not an hour on the day.” The government viewed the strike as a strike against parliamentary government. The TUC viewed the strike as an industrial struggle. The TUC called off the strike after nine days. The miners were locked-out until November 1926 when they accepted the mine-owners’ terms.

 

The miners and their families were supported by food donations by the general public for the six months in which they remained on strike. Today we support the Stroud Foodbank.

Football

A unique event happened towards the end of the strike. A football match was held in Plymouth between the police and a team of strikers. The match was kicked off by the wife of the chief constable and thousands were in attendance. The strikers won by two goals to one.

 

Our Stuart “the Radical Bard” Butler, has received funding from the GWR and the town council to mark the centenary of the strike in a variety of ways. Events are happening all over the country – but no where else will you find a Walking Football Club Tournament between ‘police’ and ‘strikers.’

 

Six police helmets (one for each captain) will be present, whilst the captains of the ‘strikers’ could wear flat caps or go bare headed. Each participant we are asking to make a contribution (£1 acceptable) that will go to the Stroud Foodbank. The event would aid community cohesion both symbolically and practically. It will be a unique event that will command local Stroud and Gloucestershire media attention and will showcase ourselves as a community led Walking Football Club.

 

I will write an online piece about football, the 1925-26 season and the General Strike, for those who might be interested and will act as a reporter on the day so that we have a detailed record of what will be a nationally unique occasion. Stuart Butler 1.4.26

 

Football and the General Strike

Plymouth Strikers v Police

The 1925-26 football season ended on May 1st 1926 with Huddersfield Town, once under the tutelage of the legendary Herbert Chapman, league champions for the third year in a row. Chapman, of course, would repeat this feat with Arsenal in the 1930s – some achievement for a former player at Swindon Town.

The planned international against France in Paris for May 13 had to be cancelled because of the General Strike – impossible to travel – and the nine days of the strike with attendant consequences meant that a match against Belgium was delayed until May 24. Belgium lost 5-3: an explicable goal-fest as this was the first season to witness the new offside rule (2 not 3 – you know what I mean …) and, in consequence, there was around about a 50% increase in goals scored in the top division.

 

I looked at the attendance figures for the last game of the season and they were much lower than I anticipated. But with so high a proportion of the workforce miners back then, and, again, in consequence, so many spectators at the matches often being miners, and with the wage subsidy for miners ending the day before … and with all the nearly a million miners locked out from that day unless they accepted wage cuts and longer hours, spectators and players and directors and managers all knew that there was a distinct probability that the TUC would call a general strike in support of the miners.

Within a couple of days, twenty per cent of the workforce would be out with the TUC calling out the first wave of unions …

 

Money was tight. Watching a football match a luxury, perhaps.

 

The spectators would pretty well have all been men and even though Kipling had written of ‘flannelled fools at the wicket’ and ‘muddied oafs at the goals’ during the Boer War, and even though an amateur miners’ team from West Auckland had won the first ‘world cup’ before the Great War, and even though football has become half-mythologised after the Great War (Christmas truce; Walter Tull; officers kicking a ball over the top at the Somme and Loos; Wilfred Owen’s poem ‘Disabled’), the flat-capped sepia images of massed men at football matches doesn’t tell the whole story.

In fact, there were over 150 women’s football teams in the post-war period and women’s matches could attract a higher attendance than those of the men’s top professional clubs. But the F.A. in its wisdom closed the gates on women’s football in, I think, 1921. It would be another fifty years before that ban was reversed.

 

Now to the police. The first Wembley cup final occurred three years before the General Strike – the famous final where (again) a half-mythologised tale has entered national, collective memory: the overcrowded match where safety was maintained by a policeman on a white horse. Four years before that the police had been on strike. During the Great War, many men who would join the police after 1918 and many men who would be on strike in 1926 would have been comrades in arms. So, in some ways, perhaps it’s not utterly surprising that there could have been the possibility of mutual understanding between police and strikers in 1926 in some localities, even though at a structural class level, they were ultimately bound to be opposed during the nine days in May.

So even though foreign commentators found it fantastic, incredible, utterly bizarre and quintessentially English that a football match between police and strikers could take place, perhaps there is some sort of explanatory context.

 

But having said that, there is only one match definitively on record (but see addenda point 3 below): that match in Plymouth. The British Worker carried a small piece the day preceding the match: ‘PLYMOUTH: Teams representing the local police and strikers are to play a game of football to-morrow. The Chief Constable will kick off. “Plymouth is playing its part admirably in the great national dispute thrust upon us by the Conservative Government,” was the message from the Trade Council.’

The next day, a column ran thus: ‘Strikers beat Police at Football   MUSIC AMD DRAMA In many parts of the country excellent amusement and recreation facilities have been provided for the strikers and their families.

Special football and cricket matches and a variety of other sports took place yesterday, while there were plenty of indoor attractions, such as concerts, dramatic entertainments, and whist drives.

The keen desire of the strikers to keep on good terms with the authorities is exemplified by a novel event at Plymouth, where, in the presence of several thousand people, a strikers’ team defeated the Police team at football by 2 goals to 1. The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off.

Railwaymen at Play

A strike football match between members of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Railway Clerks’ Association at Wimbledon was won by the latter by four goals to two. In the evening, under the auspices of the Strike Committee, an open-air dramatic entertainment, held in the rear of the Labour Hall, attracted a tremendous crowd. “The united workers of Wimbledon,” said a member of the Strike Committee, “spent one of the happiest days of their lives.”

Football Ground Lent

Organised sports have been arranged in the Workington area for trade unionists by the Trades Council, which has secured the free use of the Association Football Ground.’

 

The British Gazette (the government’s newspaper) on May 10 ‘practically crowed about the scene’, according to Jonathan Schneer in Nine Days in May. ‘Churchill’s British Gazette’ reported thus: “Several thousands of persons had gathered to watch … The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off. The match was played in the best spirit from start to finish …” Even the New York Times carried the story, informing its readers that 4,000 “striking workers marched in an orderly procession headed by a brass band.”

(David Torrance in The Edge of Revolution points out that ‘Churchill wanted to exclude coverage’ and he was ‘overruled’ in Cabinet by those who put forward the view that ‘it was good propaganda.’ We also have one last football reference from this 2026 publication: the government commandeered paper supplies destined for the British Worker but the newspaper was saved by supplies from elsewhere, including Racing and Football Outlook. Which is a fact I like.)

 

Here’s a last sporting flavour from the British Gazette from May 1926:

 

‘CRICKET AND THE STRIKE M.C.C.’s Suggestion for the Test Matches

The following minute has been issued by the M.C.C.:

“The Committee of M.C.C. have no desire to dictate to either the counties or to cricketers, but believe that both may be desirous of an opinion … owing to transport difficulties, some matches may have to be reduced to two days, or even abandoned, and although their elevens may be much weakened owing to the absence of some cricketers on public duty,

they suggest to cricketers that they should be guided by a sense of public duty rather than by affection for their counties, but they strongly recommend that the best possible starting elevens should be put into the field against the Australians, as on those occasions cricketers may, out of courtesy to our guests, legitimately obtain leave from their public duties.”’

 

I wonder what those public duties were …

 

Oh, it’s such a lark being a volunteer and helping to break this damned strike, don’t you know. Just listen to this!

 

‘Seeing it Through’

Tommy is stoking an engine,

Grandpa waves flags red and green,

Innocent Florrie

Is driving a lorry,

While Millicent runs a canteen.

 

Daddy, of course, is a Special,

Mother is ready to nurse,

And we all think alike

That this jolly old strike

Is bad – but it might have been worse!

 

 

Addenda:

1. On the previous day of the football match in Plymouth a confrontation took place in the city when police provided protection to ‘volunteers’ who were trying to break the strike by taking out trams on to the road. There was a mass confrontation with thousands gathering to express their vehement opposition.
2. Beatrice Webb’s diary: May 18

‘The Government has gained immense prestige in the world and the British Labour Movement has made itself ridiculous. A strike … with a football match between the police and the strikers and ends in unconditional surrender after nine days with densely-packed reconciliation services at all chapels and churches of Great Britain attended by the strikers and their families will make the Continental socialists blaspheme.

Let me add that the failure of the General Strike shows what a sane people the British are. If only our revolutionaries would realise the hopelessness of their attempt to turn the British workman into a Russian Red and the British businessman and country gentleman into an Italian Fascist. The British are hopelessly good-natured and [full of] common sense …’

October 24

‘The state of mind of the miners and their wives was less easy to discover than their state of health. I had a lunch of the thirty chairwomen and secretaries of the Women’s Sections and a delegate conference of about four hundred representative members. They all seemed in good spirits, running relief funds and collecting money by whist drives, football matches (women players), dances and socials; they had raised, in the last two months, £1,700 for the central relief fund for pregnant and lying-in women and infants. Some of the lodges were paying a few shillings a week to the unmarried men; the [Poor Law] Guardians were paying 12s a week to the wives and 4s a week (3s 6d deducted for school meals) to each child.’ (My emphasis)

 

3. Nine Days in May Jonathan Schneer OUP 2026 Schneer looks at the Newcastle area where the authorities though troops might be needed to augment the police and special constables The Northern Light strike bulletin reported on May 10 that, “The friendliest relations possible already exist between the strikers and our friends in the forces”; the authorities were worried that most of the troops were locals and reported to London that the Newcastle Strike Committee was “endeavouring to seduce the troops from loyalty to their oath by the subtle means of arranging sports between the soldiers and workers.” Scheer writes, ‘Most accounts of the General Strike point to the football match … played between strikers and police in Plymouth, as evidence of British workers’ ineradicable moderation. Perhaps that is too fond and simplistic an interpretation.’
4. Gloucester Strike Bulletin May 10

FOOTBALL

Gloucester Strikers V Forest of Dean

To-day (Monday) at 3 o’clock

On SISSON ROAD GROUND

Admission 2d.

Proceeds for Relief Fund

5. Gloucester Strike Bulletin May 11

SPORT

FOOTBALL

Co-operative Employees V Gloucester Strikers

On Sisson Road Ground

Look out for further particulars

6. Gloucester Strike Bulletin May 12

SPORT

FOOTBALL

Gloucester Strikers v Forest of Dean

Rain delayed the start and greatly lessened the attendance at the very pleasant football match before a team of Gloucester strikers and Forest of an strikers on the Co-operative Field, Sisson Road, on Monday afternoon.

The first half resulted in no score, the Gloucester forwards missing a number of chances. In the second half the Forest of Dean scored twice from quick bursts, and then again from a penalty.

Final Score: Forest 3, Gloucester 0

 

Conclusion

T.S. Eliot:

‘We shall not cease from exploration,

And the end of all our exploring,

Will be to arrive where we started,

And know the place for the first time.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STROUD and the 1926 GENERAL STRIKE

Stroud, despite its half-mythologised reputation as a radical town – that ‘Mill Town in the Cotswolds’ – has more often than not voted in a Conservative candidate as M.P. And it might help us feel the pulse of Stroud in the General Strike by first looking at the general election results after the end of the Great War.

As a historian whose art and practice revolves around footpaths and footprints rather than footnotes, I wandered into Stroud Library at the end of August 2025 with some trepidation. In addition, I’m well known for my lack of dexterity and practical common sense – so the thought of successfully fitting and revolving microfiche, then trying to read tiny font size newsprint with the declining eyesight of a septuagenarian could only make me feel that I was even more doomed to certain and frustrating failure.

But the staff were absolutely brilliant and helped me all along the way from beginning to end and so I was able to quickly find and print a relevant twenty-two pages from the Stroud Journal from April 30, May 7 and 14 1926, and be out into the late summer sunshine within an hour.

Many thanks to you at Stroud Library.

Most people who look at this chapter will be able to read between the lines and so I present an unvarnished view of Stroud in May 1926 from the pages of the Stroud Journal and from the Citizen in Gloucester. As much as I can, I have tried to let ‘The Past Speak for Itself’: and then let you ‘read between the lines.’

 

The Stroud Journal

Introduction

April 30 1926

This edition has very little indeed about what’s just around the corner – just a hint towards the end of a long column about the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent budget. The disappointment expressed at Winston Churchill’s budget: MORE TAX BURDENS concludes ‘…Mr. Churchill expects to bring up … a surplus of £4,000,000 over the estimated expenditure, but he was careful to explain that all his calculations are based on undisturbed industrial peace. If coal trouble comes “supplementary taxation” will become necessary, and there will be substantial increases in direct or indirect taxation. At the best we are to have increased tax-burdens, and we do not know how much worse they will be if a great industrial crisis paralyses the life and trade of the country.’

I leave the modern-day reader to draw their own conclusions about the political stance of the “Journal”; instead, I’ll give a flavour of the age from an advertisement from the G.W.R.

THURSDAY MAY 6 DAY EXCURSION TO LONDON

Leave Stonehouse 7.50 a.m. (11/6) Stroud 7.58 a.m. (11/6) Brimscombe 8.6 a.m. (11/-) Cirencester 8.0 a.m. (10/6) Kemble 8.25 a.m. (10/6)

I wouldn’t imagine that train would have run. Hope they got their money back.

 

Is your Wireless Set working well? If you have a Wireless Set which does not give you every satisfaction, we will be pleased to examine it and give you an estimate free of charge for the necessary repairs – and guarantee good results afterwards. Drop us a card or call. Any make of set repaired, except the Stanley Radio Receiver – it never requires it!

The STANLEY RADIO Co. King’s Stanley, Glos.

Stroud: 7, Gloucester Street

 

The Citizen May 6^th 1926

‘Stroud and district, one of the biggest industrial areas in the county, is already seriously affected by the strike.

Inquiries made by our local representative show that on Thursday morning over 200 additional men and 300 additional women signed on at the local Employment Exchanges. In the main these comprise employees of Messrs. Holloway Bros. Ltd., who closed down on Wednesday evening until Monday, when they will work three days a week. At the end of the week, Messrs. Apperley Curtis Co., Ltd., woollen cloth manufacturers of Dudbridge, close down for a week, affecting about 170 employees and will afterwards open for three days a week. As a result Messrs. Copeland, Chatterson and Co., Ltd., loose-leaf manufacturers of Dudbridge, and the Stroud Metal Co., Ltd., of the same locality, firms who are supplied with power from Messrs. Apperley, Curtis and Co., will also close down until further notice and Messrs. Copeland Chatterson and Co., for a week, to recommence operations at three days a week. In the case of the last named firm 100 hands are affected, and as regards the Metal Co., some 120 employees will be out.

From inquiries made it appears that firms are, generally speaking, full up with orders, indicating a revival n trade, but owing to difficulties with transport and restrictions as to use of coal, they are unable to carry on as usual. In many cases shortened hours will be worked but regarding Messrs. G. Waller and Son Ltd., Phoenix Iron Works, Thrupp, it is understood from a reliable source that at the end of the week they will close down for the duration of the strike. Some 220 hands being involved. At Charfield, the Woodworkers Co., employing about 170 hands, close down on Friday evening for a week, but re-open on the Monday week following while Messrs. Charles Hooper and Co., woollen cloth manufacturers, Bonds Mill, Eastington, have decided to work a week and “play” a week, some 150 hands being concerned. Messrs. Vowles and Son Ltd., brush manufacturers, of Upper Mills, Stonehouse, have decided upon working half-time, but in addition they have definitely suspended about 50 per cent. of their workforce (about 100) because of the shortage of raw material. Thus, locally, taking also smaller firms into consideration, nearly 2,000 workers are affected, in addition to the number actually involved in the strike.

We understand that at Stroud recruiting for special constables is progressing satisfactorily, while up to noon on Thursday nearly 260 names had been enrolled as volunteers for essential services.

Our Stroud representative was informed by an official of the Stroud Branch of the National Union of Railwaymen on Thursday afternoon that 98% of the members were on strike

locally.’

 

 

 STROUD JOURNAL

Friday May 7^th 1926

NOTICE TO “JOURNAL” READERS

The Stroud Journal will be published as usual each week, with the usual features. As a great demand for the paper is expected, special orders should be sent at once to the Publishing Office, Lansdown, Stroud.

 

The breakdown of the coal negotiations on the last day of the nine months’ subsidy was swiftly followed by the action of the Labour leaders to bring about a general strike. Anarchy of this kind was threatened last July, and the country is now faced with the calamity it has paid £24,000,000 to avert. The coal strike of 1921 dragged on for months but it was not accompanied by a general trade union attack on the country by an attempt to hold up vital public services and the industrial life of the nation. This challenge to constitutional authority, if it is not withdrawn or speedily defeated, means trouble on a scale such as this country has never before experienced. It involves great loss of trade, more unemployment, more tax-burdens, and hardship and suffering for millions of people, and it will not only solve nothing but it will greatly worsen the situation which the mining industry will ultimately have to face. It will injure the iron and steel and all the other coal-using industries, as well as the export coal trade, and with none of these hammer blows three-fourths of the mining industry can only carry on at a heavy loss. The plight of the coal industry is due to lower production. The eight hours day began in 1909 and in the following year the coal raised per underground worker was 318 tons in the year. The seven-hours day came into operation in 1919 and last year the output per person was 272 tons …

unless output is increased, wages reduced, or losses paid by the taxpayers, the greater part of the mining industry must close down. The nine moths’ subsidy seems merely to have induced both parties to the dispute to put off facing the realities of this situation. The Coal Commission declared against a longer working day, which is regarded by the owners as the only practical solution, but the Commission did regard a temporary wage reduction as unavoidable. The miners have all along refused to discuss either of these proposals, and not until the expiring day of the subsidy did negotiations between the Government, the owners and the miners ever come into contact with actualities regarding a possible settlement. Labour tactics of last week were a repetition of those of last July, and as these proved successful, so it was thought that the Government would again give way to pressure …

The Government has met the crisis by proclaiming a state of emergency and taking all possible measures for maintaining essential services. The miners are within their rights in refusing to work for a wage they consider inadequate, but it is not legitimate for industrial organisations to seek to coerce the Government by inflicting injury and hardships on the whole population. That is a misuse of power, which if it is once allowed to succeed in its object, would assuredly bring the country into ruin, and it is the duty of all good citizens to render every possible assistance to the authorities in maintaining law and order and constitutional government.

Stroud and the General Strike May 7

STROUD & THE STRIKE

Local Emergency Measures

How Our Industries are Affected

Good Number of Volunteers Enrolled

Skeleton G.W.R. Train Service Operating

Stroud and district, in common with every other town in the country, has felt the first effects of the gravest and greatest convulsion England has ever known. With the “cease work” order of the Trades Union Congress coming into operation at midnight on Monday the wheels of industry in our valleys began to slow down. Trains disappeared from our local railway lines, the big daily newspapers failed to appear on our breakfast tables, and within a day or two many of our Stroud Valley industries were compelled to work short time. Fortunately full ‘bus services have been maintained (and in some cases augmented) and it appears that there are good supplies of foodstuffs and other necessities in our district. Emergency measures have been taken by our local authorities, details of which are given below.

Yesterday (Thursday) a Journal representative made exhaustive enquiries concerning the effects of the general strike upon our industries, and we are able to publish brief but authentic statements made by the heads of most of our largest mills and factories in regard to the positions in which their businesses are placed. Details are also printed below of the ‘bus services in our valleys together with particulars from the G.W.R. Stationmaster at Stroud concerning a skeleton train service which may be expected to run daily on the G.W.R.’s lines until further notice.

Since last Tuesday, by arrangement with the local agent for the Stanley Radio Company, the official Government reports concerning the strike broadcast by the B.B.C. have been posted outside the Journal Office, and we shall continue to provide the general public with this source of information each day.

LOCAL EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

Volunteers Required for Maintaining Essential Services

Food and Coal Committees Appointed

An emergency meeting of the Stroud Urban District Council was held at the Council Offices, Town Hall, Stroud on Monday evening to consider the advisability of appointing a local committee in connection with the Government’s emergency organisation scheme, in view of the national industrial crisis. Col. J.R. Morton Ball (chairman) presided …

The chairman explained that the Council had been called together because owing to the industrial crisis, affairs had reached a state in which it was necessary to put into operation emergency schemes, which had been prepared for some months past. The Council heard from the Ministry of Health in November, 1925, that a scheme was to be made out for maintaining national and essential services if the occasion arose. He thought that during the present emergency he thought it was very necessary that all residents should exercise careful and proper economy in the use of food, water, fuel and light. No doubt much would be said in the newspapers about this and therefore directions need not be issued by the Council. He had gone into matters very carefully and wished to report on the local situation, and the local arrangements which had been made. With regards to food, Mr. W.A. Hudson, whose office was at the Town Hall, had been appointed the local food official. The supply and distribution of food would continue through the normal channels, namely the trades and retailers, who would be required to give the Food Official full information as to their stocks, and the Food Official would make the necessary arrangements for maintaining sufficient supplies. Mr. Hudson had taken the matter in hand early, and although he had not yet gone into it fully, he believed that Stroud stood as well as any place in the matter of local supplies, at grocers’ shops in particular. They had a number of big establishments, including the two Co-operative Societies and the Cotswold Stores, and Mr. Hudson had formed a traders’ committee to help him on which representatives of these three businesses were represented, together with milk retailers. Mr. Hudson was responsible to his superior in Bristol … His area comprised Stroud Urban and Rural Districts, Nailsworth Urban, Wheatenhurst and Dursley rural districts. Continuing, the Chairman said that in the case of coal supply the Emergency Officer was Mr. Hayne, at Gloucester, and he had asked the Council to appoint a local committee. He … had interviewed the coal merchants and they were not unanimous as to whether they should immediately carry out the orders given in the papers limiting the supply to one cwt. Therefore, in his opinion, a committee should get to work at once to report on available stocks to prevent the departure of fuel from the district and to supervise the distribution in the district. With regards to their local institutions, he found from enquiries that the Hospital and Workhouse were both well provided for but the stocks in the hands of coal merchants were low, probably owing to the big demand made upon them by local residents during the last few weeks. The committee would have to finds out what coal was required and get Mr. Harper to bring more coal into the district if necessary. There was a road service and the officer was Mr. J.W. Baker of Gloucester, who would deal with all matters of transport for essential services, and, in particular, the Food Officer would call on him for help in moving food supplies. Then they came to the volunteer services which was a matter thrown to a certain extent on the Council. They were expected to appeal for volunteers to maintain essential services. The County Chairman for this was Col. Ricardo and he had appointed Sir Percival Marling as vice-chairman for this district and he would therefore ask him to speak on the question of taking volunteers.

Sir Percival said that just before he went to Egypt in January, Col. Ricardo asked for his help in this matter in the event of a strike, and he consented, although somewhat against his will, as he thought a younger man could do it better. He had been to the head office that day. Their area covers Nailsworth, Painswick, Chalford, Stonehouse and Stroud, and he had been authorised to spend up to £2 week on a clerk, if necessary. He asked the Council to nominate representatives on a committee, and that they would allow him to use a room at the Town Hall for recruiting purposes.

Mr. Harper: What is the object of the volunteer services? What branch of work are they going to undertake?

Sir Percival: They will carry on essential services.

Mr. Harper: Do you mean food? Define essential services.

Sir Percival: Transporting necessary food, fuel etc.

Mr. Trinder said he suggested the volunteers would really help the Food Officer and other different services, the object being to get the work done by volunteers instead of paying money for it.

Mr. Harper: Have you received any instructions from the Government on this subject?

The Chairman: Yes.

Mr. Harper: Mr. J.H. Thomas [NUR and TUC] has offered to run trains for food services and the Government has refused. This is a lot of humbug to run volunteer services when trains have been offered and refused.

Mr. Sanderson said he hoped that no members of the Council would say anything at this stage which would make a difficult matter more difficult to deal with. When it came to the point he was sure they could rely on the local Trades and Labour Council to help them and volunteer their services just as anyone else would.

Mr. Trinder suggested that they should keep this and future discussions free from any references to any section of the community. They met as citizens and should discuss matters on these lines.

The Chairman said they were called upon by the Government to appeal for volunteers for essential services. He had no idea that the Trades Council would not provide men for that purpose just as others would.

Mr. Harper: They are doing so.

Mr. Dudbridge: Then there is no conflict.

The Chairman said the maintenance of food, fuel and water and light were essential for the benefit of the community.

In reply to Mr. Trinder, the Chairman said they were only dealing with the Stroud Urban area. Sir Percival was forming a committee for volunteer services, and would approach the other authorities in the district to combine with that Council’s representatives.

Sir Percival said he was sure they all agreed that the only object of that or any other Council was to do the best they could to run the essential services for the benefit of the community in these difficult times.

Mr. Harper: Will you read from the card what the men are to volunteer for?

The Chairman: The card is left for volunteers to fill in.

Mr. Harper: They won’t volunteer to go down the mines I suppose.

The Chairman said volunteers were wanted solely for handling and transporting the necessary food, fuel, light and power, or to perform such other duties which might be held by the Civil Commissioners to be essential for the maintenance and well-being of the country.

Sir Percival: We are recruiting for the well-being of the community and not for the purpose of strike-breaking.

Mr. Trinder proposed and Mr. Russell seconded that a committee should be formed.

Mr. Harper moved that the matter should lie on the table for a fortnight so that they might see how it went. He said it had all been done behind their backs. The Emergency Order, the appointment of officials etc., had all been done prior to this trouble. The Government had been talking peace and declaring for war at the same time.

The Chairman: Your amendment is a direct negative.

The resolution was carried. Mr. Harper voting against it.

PROFITEERING AND HOARDING

The Chairman said that he hoped there would be no profiteering of any kind and no hoarding. At a time like the present the retail trader was in a unique position, as he was able to trade freely without restriction, making a small profit, whilst a good many other sections of the community had to put up with loss of work and suffered in many ways. If the trader did not make as much profit as usual he should be content with what he did make. He wanted to appeal to the public and traders in that sense. If they did all their bit it would be better for them afterwards…

PROPOSAL NEGATIVED

Mr. Johnson asked whether the Council would consider passing a resolution requesting the Government to intervene in the crisis.

The Chairman said he thought it would be rather controversial and it would be just as well if they had nothing to do with any party or section.

Mr. Johnson emphasised that the resolution was not a party one at all.

The Council decided not to pass a resolution of this character.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

MOTOR VEHICLES WANTED

…Yesterday morning we were informed that recruits were being registered in a very satisfactory manner. Over two hundred have so far been enrolled since Tuesday … the authorities wish to make it known that it would be a great help if those willing to lend motor cars, lorries and motor cycles would register.

LOCAL INDUSTRIES AFFECTED

The following firms in Stroud and district, at the request of the “Journal” have outlined their arrangements owing to the position in which the strike has placed them. In every case the goods are held up owing to lack of transport.

The Phoenix Iron Works, Thrupp, are carrying on this week. As far as the future is concerned, they will work from day to day, pending the delivery of proper supplies of raw materials. Newman, Hender and Co., near Nailsworth, state that they will keep running as long as fuel and raw materials permits. Manufactures are being stored in the warehouses, as they are unable to be despatched. Apperly, Curtis and Co., of Dudbridge … will close down all next week and run for three days a week afterwards. They are chiefly handicapped by the limitation of coal consumption.

Howard and Powell, of Walbridge, are at present unaffected except with regard to transport. They are carrying on as usual while cutting down coal consumption as much as possible. T.B. Worth and Sons, Ltd., Ham Mills, started yesterday (Thursday) working from 9 to 5, and not working Saturdays. This is entirely owing to the coal limitation, and the firm will carry on like this as long as raw materials will permit.

Erinoid Ltd., Lightpill, are at the moment maintaining trade with Birmingham, but there is nothing doing in London owing to power being cut off … Consequently, the sales side of the business is restricted, but the works are carrying on to the end of the week. Beyond this prospects are undecided.

Vowles and Son, Ltd., Stonehouse, Brushworks, report that they have plenty of coal and can run on indefinitely, but … will have to shut down three days a week …

Marling and Evans Ltd., are carrying on as usual. Holloway Bros., Ltd., are closing down three days a week. Hill, Paul and Co., are hindered by transport difficulties.

The Chalford Stick Mills are carrying on as usual. Henry Workman, Ltd., Woodchester, are keeping on as long as they can in the interests of their employees, hours of labour etc., being the same as usual.

Walker Bros., Dunkirk Mills, are keeping on as usual, but do not know for how long.

E.A. Chamberlain and Co., Nailsworth, are carrying on as usual with short shifts which have been reduced from two 12 ones to two 8 hours ones. Otherwise, everything is normal and they have a good supply of coal.

LOCAL RAILWAY SITUATION

None of the local railway services have been in operation since the declaration of the general strike, and we append figures of the G.W.R. and L.M.S. staffs, who have ceased work. At Stroud 75 men out of 84 are on strike at the G.W.R. All are out at Chalford. 13 out of 27 have struck on the L.M.S., one or two working at Nailsworth, Woodchester and Dudbridge. Altogether, in our district, we understand that there are over 200 railwaymen who have ceased work.

Interviewed by a “Journal” representative yesterday (Thursday) morning. Mr. F.E. Wake, J.P., C.C. (secretary of the local branch of the N.U.R.) said that 98% of his members in the Stroud area were out, and that everything was proceeding in a quiet and orderly manner. That morning he had received the following telegram from Mr. T.C. Cramp, the general secretary of the Union: “Position unchanged, no wavering anywhere. Pickets should wear prominent badges. All other members, far as possible, must keep off the streets.”

SKELETON G.W.R. TRAIN AND ‘BUS SERVICE

Yesterday (Thursday) a “Journal” representative interviewed Mr. A. M. Taylor, the G.W.R. stationmaster at Stroud, and obtained details of the local skeleton train and motor omnibus services which have been inaugurated. He said that in view of the suspension of the Stroud Valley rail car he and his staff were endeavouring to arrange a replacement service by road ‘bus. As they only have 3 ‘buses at their disposal it was, of course, impossible to completely replace the rail car service, but they hoped to do something to assist their season ticket passengers to travel to and fro, instead of leaving them stranded, and season tickets would be honoured on the ‘buses. Commencing today (Friday) it is hoped that a ‘bus will leave Stroud Station for Chalford at 6.30 a.m. …

Official Strike News

Broadcast by the Government is being

Posted Outside the “Journal” Office

EACH DAY

 

Safety First

Over 6,000 Have Volunteered for membership in the CAINSCROSS AND EBLEY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. We want to take the number to 7,000. Will you join and help to keep the “STEADY TRADE” which is essential for the Nation’s welfare.

Branches STONEHOUSE NAILSWORTH DURSLEY WOTTON CAM KINGS STANLEY EASTINGTON

 

JOTTINGS BY JONATHAN

Jovial and jolly the month of May can be when it is on the best behaviour, but it must be confessed that the ever boisterous entry this year yields the minimum of satisfaction … There were other things to think about last Saturday and Sunday than the dawn of May … Whilst we do not anticipate a revolution in the sense that Germany, Austria and Russia have experienced, it cannot be denied that the present impasse has been produced at the bidding of such extreme men as Mr. Cook. When it became known that Mr. Cook and his following did not intend to submit to the findings of the Commission Report on wages and hours, it seemed morally certain that if this attitude were approved by the Trades Union Council, then nothing could save the country from disaster.

It may be readily admitted that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and Mr. Thomas have strained every nerve to secure peace, but with the Miners’ Federation obstinately refusing to cancel their resolutions hastily passed before the Report had received careful study, withdrawal was rendered well-nigh impossible unless the Trades Union Council refused to be drawn into a contest. The country will take due note of Mr. Baldwin’s protest that the Council, acting on its own initiative and without an attempt to discover by ballot individual opinion among members of Trades Unions, joined up with Cook and the miners, and precipitated the general strike. This, in the opinion of Mr. Baldwin – and the opinion will be widely endorsed – is not only anti-democratic but is almost equivalent to setting up a state of civil war.

No responsible person will accept the plea that the Government is responsible for the general strike …

It is incumbent on every patriotic man and woman to render moral and practical support to those who are responsible for the maintenance of peace and order and for emergency measures taken in the interests of the nation.

 

The general strike hit Stroud Public Library a blow from which it will recover, but which for the moment has left it almost breathless, or speechless. No more do the out-of-work enter its portals to scan the morning papers for news or perchance a promising advertisement of a situation for which they can apply. No more can the betting man with his bit of pencil and paper copy down the names of horses and seductive tips. For the man of business and leisure there are no lists of stocks and shares, and the sporting enthusiast is debarred information respecting the Australian cricketers or the latest golf and tennis news. A spirit of loneliness and desertion permeates the rooms, and if any casual visitor seeks to solace his soul with the contents of a magazine or the more massive volumes of the “Encyclopaedia Britannica” he cannot, one thinks, escape from the sombre atmosphere engendered by the baneful strike. The British newspapers, like Charlie’s Aunt, are “still running”, but, admirable as they are, they do not compensate for the absence of the hard-hitting, caustic “Morning Post”, the more solid and sober lucubrations of “The Telegraph”, the literary excellence of “The Manchester Guardian”, and the interesting pages of “The Daily News.” It required a stoppage of these and other organs of the Press to make us realise how much we are indebted to them for instruction and amusement. News by wireless can never entirely supersede the printed page. The Communists and Socialists know this better than anyone. Publicity is what they covet, and yet in their silly blindness they muzzle “The Daily Mail,” and by the same mad strike exclude their own beloved “Daily Herald” from libraries and homes. Mussolini does the same thing in Italy, but to copy such a bad example betokens little wisdom in British demagogues.

 

THE STROUD JOURNAL May 14^th 1926

GENERAL STIKE TERMINATED

Unconditional Withdrawal of T.U.C. Notices

Coal Dispute Negotiations to be Resumed

The General Strike which began at midnight on Monday, May 3^rd, ended on Wednesday in an unconditional withdrawal of the strike notices by the General Council of the Trade Union Congress. The news of the settlement was conveyed to the public in the following official communique:

Whitehall, May 12^th.

It was intimated to the Prime Minister that the Trade Union Council desired to come and see him at Downing-street, and they arrived soon after 12 noon. Mr. Pugh made a statement, in which he stated that the Trade Union Council had decided to call off the strike notices forthwith.

The Prime Minister then spoke briefly. He stated that he was very glad to hear what Mr. Pugh had said and he would report it to his colleagues in the Cabinet. A s regards the coal industry, the Prime Minister said that negotiations would be resumed, and the Government would consider as to what steps should be taken.

In reference to the general position, he stated to members of the Trade Union Council that the sooner they got in touch with their employers and got their men back to work the better. Everyone should now co-operate in seeing that industry be set going again and made productive once more with the least possible delay.

The whole proceedings lasted a few minutes.

1. COOK’S ORDERS

NO RESUMPTION OF WORK BY MINERS

‘Mr. Cook made the following official statement on Wednesday:

The Miners’ Federation Committee met this morning and discussed the position after a deputation from the T.U.C. had visited them, when they decided to reaffirm the previous position. The following telegram has been sent to all districts:

“Miners must not resume work pending the decision of the National Conference convened for Friday next at the Kingsway Hall, London 10 a.m. Please send delegates – Cook, Secretary.”

It is my intention and my colleagues’ intention to report fully to the National Conference. It will be for the men to decide what action they will take after a report has been given and in the light of the circumstances. So far as we are concerned, we will stand for maintaining our position.’

The coal-owners are taking immediate steps to re-open negotiations.’

“A VICTORY FOR COMMONSENSE”

STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Prime Minister was received with cheers in the House of Commons on Wednesday when he rose to reply to Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, who asked him if he had any statement to make regarding the industrial situation.

Mr. Baldwin said: “The Trade Union Council came to me this morning, and told me they had decided to call off the general strike forthwith. I said that it would be the immediate effort of myself and my colleagues to bring about a resumption of negotiations between the parties in the mining industry with a view to securing the earliest possible settlement. I would only add this: It is a victory of common sense, not for one part of the country, but for the whole of the United Kingdom (hear, hear.). It is of the utmost importance in a moment like this that the whole of the British people should not look backwards, but forwards (hear, hear.). We should resume our work in a spirit of co-operation, leaving behind us all malice and vindictiveness (hear, hear.). Mr. Macdonald said it must be obvious that there were certain consequences of the statement which were likely to happen that day – the application, for instance, of the large spirit which had been indicated in what had been said. It was in the interests of the House that it should be kept in close touch with these subsequent events. There were many questions that they would like to ask, and some observations that they would like to make. He was certain that no-one sitting behind him desired in any way to breach the good feeling the Prime Minister had appealed for, but there were many things of a detailed and practical nature to be considered. They would like to make certain that this was being done and that necessitated a discussion. Had the Prime Minister considered the best time for a survey of the situation and the making of a fuller statement than he had been able to make now?

The Prime Minister said that he was sure that Mr. Macdonald would realise that there was a great deal to be thought out and a great deal to be done, and perhaps Mr. Macdonald would keep in touch with him, and settle something for the general convenience of the House as early as possible. The House would agree it would be impossible to arrange anything that day.

Mr. Macdonald said that he would appeal to the Prime Minister to make arrangements so that the House was kept in the closest touch with everything that was being done, and have the discussion at the earliest and the wisest moment.

THE KING’S MESSAGE

“BRING INTO BEING A LASTING PEACE”

The King has issued the following message to his people:

Buckingham Palace

TO MY PEOPLE

The nation has just passed through a period of extreme anxiety.

It was today announced that the general strike had been brought to an end. At such a moment it is supremely important to bring together all my people to confront the difficult situation that still remains. This task requires the co-operation of all able and well-disposed men in the country. Even with such help it will be difficult, but it will not be impossible.

Let us forget whatever elements of bitterness the events of the past few days have created, only remembering how steady and how orderly the country has remained though severely tested and forthwith address ourselves to the task of bringing into being a peace which will be lasting because, forgetting the past, it looks only to the future with the hopefulness of a united people.

(Signed). GEORGE R.I.

THE AFTERMATH

QUESTION OF TAKING BACK STRIKERS

The following official communique was issued on Wednesday:

‘His Majesty’s Government have no power to compel employers to take back every man who has been on strike, nor have they entered into any obligation of any kind in this matter.

Some displacements are inevitable in view of the reduction of business consequent upon the strike, as well as any obligations which may have been entered into by employers towards volunteers who have helped them during the past week.

Attention is, however, drawn to the hope expressed by the Prime Minister, in his statement to the House of Commons that “we should resume our work in a spirit of co-operation, putting behind us all malice and vindictiveness.”

The best course is for the various trades unions to get into immediate touch with the associations of the employers concerned, in order, if possible, that a satisfactory agreement may be reached.’

BEECHAMS’ PILLS

No biliousness No liverishness No Headaches No Indigestion

You will feel a new man. Why not try them?

It’s such a big return

On a small investment

Sold in boxes 1s.3d. & 3s.

 

STROUD & THE STRIKE

Local Railway Men Still Out

Some G.W.R. Men Offered Re-instatement but Refuse

Future Prospects of Stroud Industries

“London in Strike Time’ by a Gothamite

 

‘In last week’s “Journal” we published some interesting statements, made by the chief employers of labour in our district, which showed how the General Strike was affecting our local industries. Upon enquiries being made throughout Stroud and district on Wednesday morning it was found that in many instances firms had been compelled to completely close down their works and factories, whilst others were just managing to keep running for three days a week. Trade was more or less at a standstill, due to the shortage of coal and raw materials, and to the absence of transport facilities for the transport of goods. The figures given in another column by the Manager of the Stroud Labour Exchange speak for themselves. The number of unemployed drawing benefit, increased in one week from 798 to 2,171, and had the strike been prolonged there is no doubt that this figure would have been substantially increased.

The news that the T.U.C. had decided to call off the General Strike was therefore received in Stroud during Wednesday dinner-time with universal feelings of relief. The welcome bulletin was posted outside the “Journal” office a few minutes after the announcement had been made by wireless, and large crowds quickly gathered round the notice board.

Yesterday (Thursday) a “Journal” representative made further enquiries at all of our biggest industrial concerns with regard to their future actions, and the results of his investigations are printed below. Particulars are also given concerning local food supplies.

LARGE INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYED

OVER 2,000 DRAWING BENEFIT

… The above figures include the following skilled workpeople who are unemployed and available for whole-time employment:- Men’s Department: Carpenters, Plasterers, Painters, Plumbers, Wood Sawyers, Wood Turners, Wood Machinists, Rivetters, Moulders, Core makers, Farriers, Blacksmiths, Brass Finishers, Engine Drivers, Wiremen (cars), Turners, Fitters, Millwright, Motor Mechanics, Metal Machinists, Coach Builders, Cabinet Makers, French Polishers, Traveller, Carters, Traction Engine Drivers, Motor Drivers, Quarrymen, Flour Miller, Bakers, Boot Repairers, Grocers’ Assistants, Draughtsmen, Coach Trimmer, Press Photographer, Hand Compositors, Clerks, Shorthand Typists, Book-keeper, Cashiers, Shop Assistants, Cloth Spinners, Cloth Pieceners, Cloth Weavers, Carpet Weavers, Carders, Wood Sorters, Shirt Ironer, Metal Workers, Varnishers …’

GOOD FOOD SUPPLIES IN STROUD

‘Mr. A.W. Hudson, the local Food Officer, assisted by a strong committee of members was able to maintain and distribute food supplies in the town and district in a very satisfactory manner. Upon taking over his duties at the commencement of the General Strike he found that with few exceptions there was an excellent supply of foodstuffs and other necessities in the locality.

During the period of the strike he experienced one or two difficulties in maintaining supplies of butter and sugar but by means of pooling the available stocks he enabled trades to carry on and meet the needs of customers. The trades themselves worked hard and harmoniously, and in some cases journeys were undertaken as far afield as Cornwall, Bristol and Birmingham to obtain foodstuffs. Prices have been kept down although in many cases retailers have had to pay quite a big increase in transport costs.

Working in conjunction with the Transport Officer, Mr. Hudson was able to utilise practically every lorry which left the town to deliver goods, by picking up food supplies on the return journey, and towards the end of the strike period the railways were able to help a little in the matter of transport. He was also greatly helped in many ways by the volunteer services.’

SATISFACTORY COAL STOCKS

We understand that the supplies of coal in the town and district are satisfactory and there should not be any shortage.

 

NEW CLOTHS FOR SPRING NOW SHOWING

C.W. COWARD & SON TAILORS & FITTERS 2, HIGH ST., STROUD

 

We are fully prepared for the Whitsun Trade   Millinery in Endless Variety. LADIES’ MAIDS’ and CHILDREN’S

The Drapers STROUD

 

PALACE

Friday & Saturday

Clara Bow in the Thrilling and Novel Drama of Modern Life

The Adventurous Sex

 

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

JACKIE COOGAN

In his latest and greatest Comedy delight

“OLD CLOTHES”

 

LOCAL RAILWAY MEN STILL OUT

SOME G.W.R. MEN OFFERED WORK BUT REFUSE

RE-INSTATEMENT OF ALL DEMANDED

‘On Wednesday evening the local railwaymen received instructions from their union to return to work, and the G.W.R. employees presented themselves at the station for duty. They were met by the station master. Mr. A. M. Taylor, who, in accordance with orders received from Paddington, informed the men that he was unable to re-instate them until he had been given definite instructions to do so.

Interviewed by a “Journal” representative on Thursday morning, Mr. Taylor said that he understood that negotiations were proceeding between his Company and the N.U.R. in London with regard to the return of the men, and until these negotiations were concluded he was not in a position to take the men back to work. That day, he added, their main railway traffic was being augmented. The 7.30 a.m. express from Cheltenham to London ran, leaving Stroud at 8.8 a.m., together with the 10.45 express. On the down line the 1.37 p.m. express from Paddington was added. There is every prospect of the return to normal service in the very near future, and Mr. Taylor hoped that the rail cars would be able to operate shortly although the road ‘buses which have been running daily have to a certain extent replaced this service.

The L.M.S. staff also were not re-instated yesterday, instructions being awaited from Bristol by the Company’s officials in the district.

Yesterday morning the railwaymen met at the Labour headquarters when the present situation was discussed. Mr. F.E. Wake, J.P., the local N.U.R. secretary, was instructed to send the following telegram to the Union’s headquarters in London – “Stroud G.W. and L.M.S. men still out, awaiting statement from you re reinstatement of all. Wire reply.”

Later on Thursday morning Mr. Taylor was instructed by his Company (the G.W.R.) to re-instate certain members of the Stroud staff, and the individual railway employees in question were notified to this effect. They, however, refused to resume their duties until they had received definite instructions from their Union and until the whole of the men on strike were re-instated.

Mr. Taylor, of course, was not in a position to do this, and the position at the Stroud station therefore remains as it has been since the General Strike was called. Interviewed by a “Journal” reporter yesterday evening, Mr. Wake said he had received the following telegram in reply to the one which he despatched to N.U.R. headquarters earlier in the day (reproduced above):-

“Executives of the three railway companies meeting today to consider problems of re-instatement …”

Mr. Wake added that all the members of the Stroud branch were standing solidly together. Those who had been approached individually to resume work under the conditions laid down by the Company had definitely refused to commence work unless other Union men were also given back their posts. That afternoon the Railway workers had held a meeting in the Liberal Hall, and had unanimously passed the following resolution:-

“That this meeting of the members in this district of the R.C.A, the A.S.L. and F., and the N.U.R. hereby pledge our loyalty to each other and to the Joint Executive of the three Unions. Further, we pledge ourselves to stand firm for the re-instatement of every man who came out on strike at the call of the T.U.C.”

 

The Railway Companies agreed thus:

‘All men who can be employed immediately are being accepted for duty, and others will be accepted as soon as possible, subject to two conditions:-

• Every man who has left his work without notice has broken his contract of service, and the companies feel they must reserve any right they possess in this matter.
• A number of men in positions of trust have gone on strike and others have been guilty of acts of violence and intimidation. The companies propose to examine these cases individually, and meanwhile they reserve their decisions with regard to these.

The companies feel compelled to make these reservations with regard to the re-instatement of staffs in the interests of the public, and to safeguard future peace and discipline on the railways.

The companies take the opportunity to state that rumours that have been circulated to the effect that they are refusing to take men back except at wage reductions are absolutely incorrect.’

 

BACK TO NORMAL NEXT WEEK?

An official of the Railway Information Bureau has stated that the railways hope to get back to normal some day next week. Men would be taken back where there was work for them. It was explained that with disorganisation of business some big industries could not get going at once, and there would not be the same work for the railways.

The following announcement was also made: It having been stated that the railways are refusing to take men back except at wage reductions, the companies desire it to be known that this is absolutely incorrect.

 

LOCAL ENGINEERS NOT RE-INSTATED

At the call of the T.U.C. local members of the Amalgamated Engineers Union came out on strike on Wednesday. Upon the General Strike being terminated later in the day these engineers reported to their firms. In one instance they were told to re-commence work yesterday (Thursday) morning, but at another engineering works we understand the men were told that at present they would not be re-instated.

SPECIAL CONSTABULARY

During the strike reserve constables residing in our district again donned their uniform and were on duty, and, in addition, a large number of special constables were enrolled. Many of these were called upon for service, and they carried out their duties in an efficient and highly satisfactory manner. We have been fortunate in this locality in that no disturbances have taken place, which speaks well for the hundreds of men who have been unemployed.

FUTURE PROSPECTS OF LOCAL FIRMS

In spite of the termination of the general strike, many of our local firms are still crippled by the emergency coal restrictions, which are still in force. Apperley, Curtis and Co. are still carrying on as usual next week, but the Stonehouse Brushworks and T.B. Worth and Sons Ltd., can make no change in the arrangements reported last week, though the latter state that they may possibly be able to start soon after Whitsuntide. Holloway Bros. hope to resume their ordinary working conditions next week.

GREAT SUCCESS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Major R.W.S. Stanton, local registration officer in connection with the Volunteer Services committee for essential services, inform us that the recruiting of volunteers in Stroud and district proved very successful. The total number enrolled was 362, including 29 lorry drivers, 114 motor car drivers, 6 engine drivers, 13 firemen and 10 women helpers. Altogether, 6 lorries, 58 motor cars and 28 motor cycles were placed at the disposal of the local committee, and were made good use of.

Jottings by Jonathan

Time was when the Slad Valley was noticeable for its peaceful quietness. With the closing down of the Vatch and other Mills, traffic decreased, and apart from timber-hauling heavy vehicles were few and far between. Then came the reign of the motor-car, with its ever-increasing arrival of people on the look-out for sylvan scenes … More recently still, motor buses have invaded this part of the countryside serving a useful purpose, but unmistakeably reducing the peaceful serenity which brooded over hill and dale.

 

AUSTIN                          THE BEST VALUE IN THE COUNTRY

The above remark was expressed by a local motorist in our Garage while inspecting the Latest Model AUSTIN TWELVE   £295

At £295 the Austin 12 Tourer has never before been so suitable to the pocket of the average Motorist.

The Wicliffe Motor Co. Russell Street, Stroud

 

 

Little did I think last week when I wrote about “The Daily Herald” sharing the fate of other London newspapers as a result of the strike embarked upon by Trades Unions that at the very moment the owners and directors of that organ of Socialist opinion were taking steps to secure publication by the granting of special permits to the staff, but not with pleasant results. The “Herald” compositors, have been subjected to picketing by indignant Union strikers, and so effectively has this been done that the “Herald” staff have applied for police protection. What a delightful farce Mr. Bernard Shaw could make of this incident. A screaming farce which would be highly appreciated by people blessed with the capacity to see and understand the funny side of life. Not since Mr. Ramsay MacDonald received his well-endowed handsome car from the friend who walked off with a title has there been anything quite to equal this stunt of “The Daily Herald” but these serious Socialists cannot help doing extraordinary things. So far our own public library has not received copies produced under picketing conditions, which seems a pity. We are so anxious to know what the editor thinks of this recoil of the boomerang.

Meanwhile some provincial newspapers are doing exceedingly well. I suppose it was because of this that “The Herald” got a move on. If a ballot could have been taken of the printers and journalists of the country there can be no question as to what the result would have been. They would have argued, “What in the dickens have we to do with the coal dispute or the wild plunge of the union leaders among the railway men?” To which their credit, be it said, many Trade Unionist printers have absolutely refused to be dragged into a quarrel prompted by the Trade Union Council without the formality of a ballot, or to play the giddy goose like the printing staff of “The Daily Mail.” The whole of the pathway of this wretched conflict is strewn with illegalities, which, as Sir John Simon points out, may yet cost the Unions dear. They may loudly protest their loyalty to the State and Constitution, but actions speak louder than words, and that is why we may look for some drastic amendment of the law as it affects Trade Unions …

The above was written before noon on Wednesday. An hour later people were huddled round the “Journal” placard-hoarding reading with visible pleasure the message received by wireless that the General Strike had been called off. There had been some preparation for this by the news in the early morning papers. Negotiations were resumed the previous night, and reading between the lines, the optimist was justified in anticipating a speedy end to the grim struggle. Now that it has come there will be little desire to say anything calculated to exacerbate public feeling in regard to the coal question, which, though for the moment overshadowed by the action of the Trade Union Council, is the problem which awaits settlement. The General Strike has not helped the mines one little bit. Quite the contrary, but this must not stand in the way of a peaceful settlement between the colliery proprietors and those they employ.

Last week the broad-cast news included the announcement that “The Stroud Journal” would be published as usual. This week the Newspaper Society stated that “The Union members of the “Stroud Journal” have decided to return to work.” But they never ceased work. They were too sensible to follow the false and illegal lead given them in other parts of the country. At Dursley “The Gazette” men were less wise, but the proprietors by dint of hard working and contriving, brought out their paper, and then promptly notified the strikers that if they did not turn up on Monday morning their places would be filled by other men. At Bath some members of the local branch of the Typographical and Machine staff of the “Chronical and Herald” resumed their work after addressing the following to their secretary:

“We think other members and ourselves were wrong both legally and morally in leaving work, without giving the usual and proper fourteen days’ notice, and we think the Executive Council were at no time given power knowingly by members of the Typographical Association to order a lightning strike or to break the national agreement. We are firmly convinced that we have done the right thing in the interests of fellow workers.”

They further declared themselves to be sound Trade Unionists who believe the responsible officials have made a mistake which it is for individuals to rectify as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Striking

Figures of the remarkable progress made by the Cainscross & Ebley Co-operative Society Limited, were given in our advertisement columns in February last, and had reference to the previous HALF-YEAR’S trading, which showed a total sale revenue of £134, 358 (an increase of £11,042)

and THE YEAR’S trading totalled £264, 932

For the PAST QUARTER, ending April 3^rd, the sales reached £62,336

When the decreased prices for several commodities have been taken into account, it will be readily seen that the figures bear eloquent testimony to the soundness of the Society, and the loyalty of the Members.

We supplied during the Quarter

226,778

Quarterns of Bread to over 6,000 Members

Co-operative Goods

No one can afford to pay fancy prices in these competitive times, but quality must not be sacrificed to price, and this is exactly where we come in, for although our goods are always offered at the lowest possible prices, they are as pure and accurate as human skill and up-to-the-minute machinery can make them.

 

We are proud of our business; it started in 1863 in a small shop at Cainscross, and it has steadily increased until we now have Central Stores at Cainscross, seven large Branches, Warehouses and large Offices. We believe that the secret of our Progress is that we have always kept our methods up-to-date quite regardless of expense and we have always tried to satisfy our customers, whatever may be the loss or the trouble caused to us by doing so. If we may be privileged to have your custom during this year you may be sure we shall live up to our motto. Our motto has always been ….

“Study your Quality and your Customers and your profits will take care of themselves”

Will you take care of yourself and Join?

We are securing new members every week, and want to make the number 7,000

Cainscross & Ebley Co-operative Society Limited

DEPARTMENTS: GROCERIES & PROVISIONS FURNISHING & OUTFITTING BUTCHERING DRAPERY BOOTS & SHOES OUTFITTING BAKERY & CAFÉ COAL

BRANCHES: STONEHOUSE DURSLEY NAILSWORTH WOTTON KING’S STANLEY EASTINGTON CAM

 

MAY 21^st

STROUD POLICE COURT Friday May 14^th

William Harris, of 24 High Street, Stroud, was summoned for riding a bicycle without a light on May 4^th, and after hearing the evidence of P.C. Phillips, the Bench imposed a fine of 5s. George Guildford, of Chapel Street, Stroud, summoned for a similar offence on May 7^th was fined 5s. P.C. Phillips was the informant. Harriet Ellis Roberts, of High Croft, the Edge, Painswick, was summoned for leaving a motor car on the highway without a front light on May 4^th. P.C. Phillips stated the facts of the case and a fine of 10s. was imposed …

 

LABOUR DEMONSTRATION IN STROUD

Mr. Morgan Jones, M.P., and The Crisis

“No Political Significance”

The calling of the general strike, the settlement of the railway dispute, and other recent happenings in the Labour world, vested added interest in the May Day celebration held at Stroud on Sunday afternoon under the joint auspices of the Stroud Division Labour Party and Trades and Labour Council. A procession was formed in Lansdowne, and at 2.30, headed by the Stroud Military Band, and with red banners flying, a move was made to Fromehall Park, the Rugby Club’s enclosure, where a meeting, attended by several hundreds, was held. Mr. E.C. Cooke presided, supported by Mr. Morgan Jones. M.P. (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education in the Labour Government), Mr. Hiatt and Mr. J. Webb (Gloucester).

The Chairman read apologies for inability to attend from the President (Mr. J.B. Higham) and Mr. Dan Griffiths (Prospective Labour Candidate for the Division). The latter wrote “Regret it is impossible for me to be with you today owing to the impossibility of securing the means of travelling. However, I shall be with you in spirit at your May Celebration. I trust the day is not far distant when the workers all the world over will come into their own.”

Mr. Webb, who first addressed the meeting, spoke from a lifelong experience in the Trade Union movement. They were met, he said, under very peculiar circumstances, just having emerged a little bit out of the wood of a general industrial crisis, the character of which had not been known in the history of the world. The speaker traced the events leading up to the crisis, pointing out how the older men of the movement had been looking forward to the day when the united workers of the country and the whole world would realise what a mighty power they had in their hands if they desired to use it, and when they would throw down the challenge to those of the employing class who had been crushing the worker under its heel. He welcomed the fact that the working classes had begun to realise that whatever their position altogether they must stand or altogether they must go down. They had been waiting for “The Day” and on May 1^st when the T.U.C. appealed to the working class movement on behalf of a section of that class upon whom the powers that be were trying to impose conditions which no one would care to accept the response was of a character beyond the dreams of anyone. In an industrial crisis the great patriots of the country were not only thoise who hoisted the Union Jack above their factories; the greatest patriots were the citizens who would endeavour to make the lives of the people worth living. Trades Unionism had accepted the challenge thrown to them, and he was afraid that never again would the capitalists of the country, at any rate, throw down the gauntlet to the workers and say “We defy your aspirations and just demands,” As workers, too, they were prepared to maintain the challenge. They were not, however, challenging the constitution. If, however, the Federation of British Industries was the constitution, there was a challenge, because in that Federation were the people who had been behind the whole trouble. They were the people who had been calling the strings, and Mr. Baldwin and his satellites were just puppets who danced when the strings were pulled. The worker’s place was alongside his mates in every industrial upheaval, and when the next election came and they were asked who they were going to vote for he urged that they would remember the Conservative Government had given them their answer in untold suffering, and if they wished to rise above that then “man save thyself and you can save other people” (applause).

Mr. Hiatt, in his address also dealt with the crisis. He referred to the position of the Press, stating that that section of the Press which in industrial and political crises always attempted to camouflage the issue, destroy the truth, and present to ignorant men and women a garbled story of the truth, had, for the last few days, been silent, and they had prevented for good or ill, the mind of the British public from being poisoned. Still, attempts had been made to make the great industrial dispute something which it had never been. In order to cloud the issue, the strike was magnified and transformed into a challenge to the constitution. One of the significant features of the dispute concerned the mine-owners. When the real fight came, with a likelihood of their mismanagement being made bare to the public, they discreetly left the stage of action. Their capitalist government then stepped in and in order that their action have some kind of authority behind it and in order that the public might be deceived as to the real motive they did not make the issue and industrial one, but said it was a challenge to the constitution. And he (the speaker) ventured to suggest that one reason why the dispute was brought to a “seedy” termination was that that section of the Cabinet which had no desire to magnify the dispute into a constitutional issue ultimately won the day. Proceeding, the speaker said that the dispute had shown the working people of the country their real power, and it had shown how false the conception of modern political economics that capital was the main spring of industry. With all the capital in the world, and with all the machinery, once the man was taken off the footplate, chaos, disorder and stagnation followed in spite of volunteers and the organisation for the maintenance of supplies. The speaker characterised volunteers who did another man’s job as “cowards,” and said when the clouds of misrepresentation were swept away they would say that those who at the call of human brotherhood and sympathy followed their leaders were men … They had taken part, he maintained, in the first battle for winning for the workers their rightful place in human civilisation. They had shown England and the world that a nation’s greatness and an Empire’s greatness was not measured by the number of warships and bayonets. They might have challenged the constitution, but if they had? Let them ponder in their minds what might have happened if it had been a challenge to the constitution, with 3, 4 or 5 million of England’s primest manhood involved, perhaps a third of them knowing all the elements of militarism, and not only trained in them but in actual experience. But with calmness of mind and body with the knowledge that they were right they confounded their critics and robbed them of using their first weapon – force. They had shown to England and the world the foundation upon which England’s greatness must be built – not warships, not aggrandisement, not bayonets, not armies, not bankrupt statesmen, not the product of the Public School, but human brotherhood (applause). The Trade Union movement would continue to go forward. They had tasted power, and it needed only men of goodwill, sound judgement, and of understanding to see that that power was wisely used. Industrially and politically, they were never nearer their goal.

Mr. Morgan Jones, M.P., said they were met under somewhat unique conditions. They had just been witnesses of one of the nine days’ wonders of the world. Never before in the history of the world had they seen so remarkable a phenomenon as that which they had witnessed in the course of the last nine days. Political crises there had been, far more violent than the crisis they had just passed through, but never in all history had there been an organised demonstration by the organised working classes of the nation comparable with that of the past few days. The crisis arose from an industrial issue, and remained an industrial crisis to the end. It had no political significance. There was neither attempt nor desire to undertake anything in the direction of political revolution. If there had been, the strike would not have been called off last Wednesday, but would have been allowed to go on indefinitely, and a revolution politically would have been bound to come in in consequence. But that was not their purpose. They did not believe, as a Labour movement, in that method to achieve political progress. They believed the best instrument for political progress was political consent on the part of the public. The lessons of the strike were perhaps a little difficult to fully appreciate at the moment, but, personally, he thought that the consequences of the crisis would be the enhancement of the prestige of Trade Union movement on the one hand as an industrial weapon, and of the political Labour Party as a political weapon, and they hoped that those who had shown such remarkable unanimity in the recent crisis would make that fidelity and loyalty an abiding feature of their future political activity. Proceeding, the speaker, remarking that the miners crisis still remained unsolved, and coal-mining was one of the most vital trades and occupations of the country, and one of the most dangerous. Thousands of men engaged in that occupation were killed and maimed each year, and of those who required coal, who could not get on without it, and who would be brought to a dead stop without it, he would ask “Had they the right to be willing to take their coal, which gave comfort, and be indifferent to the question of whether those who produced the coal were receiving a living wage?” There were many people who talked lightly of the coal miner, but very few of those people, he understood, had volunteered for work in the mines in the last few days! Mr. Morgan Jones proceeded to give figures to show that in his constituency in South Wales there were hundreds, if not thousands, of miners whose wages for six days’ work did not reach £2 for the week, and said the same remark applied to other constituencies. It was no use telling him, he added, that certain men earned a guinea a day. That was no comfort to the fellows who earned £1 17s 3d a week. The fact that made social unrest was not that a few earned much but that so many earned so little. The speaker also gave figures showing the profits made by certain colliery companies, which, in one case, amounted to £5,143,250 for the 15 years ended 1924, and in another instance totalled £6,901 534 for the 11 years ended 1924. It was these people who said the miners must accept a reduction in wages … Reverting to the general stoppage, the speaker, in conclusion, said if they had been in London during the days of the crisis they would have realised how completely modern society depended upon the simple exercise of human labour. They wielded a great power, and wielded it wisely and well. The great Trade Union movement had taught the working classes, on the one hand what they could do if they would, and it had taught the Government what they ought to do. No Government which succeeded to power by lying and “red letters” could expect to maintain the confidence of the people. He was all for democratic and constitutional government, and if they wanted Toryism they could have it. Voters were like chickens – they came home to roost. In politics they got what they asked for and what they voted for. “You have asked for Toryism,” said the speaker, “and God knows you have had it.” Now was the time to reflect and reconsider and … he urged that at the next election they would place a cross against the name of his good friend, Dan Griffiths (applause).

 

STROUD TEXTILE WORKERS

Help for distressed Strikers

A meeting of the Stroud Branch of the National Union of Textile Workers was held in the Holloway Institute, Stroud, on Saturday, when Mr. W.H. Underwood presided over a representative gathering from all the Stroud mills in the Stroud area, supported by the District Secretary, Mr. Tom Langham. The Chairman expressed pleasure at seeing such a large gathering, seeing the meeting had been cancelled and called again at very short notice, but it was felt that members should meet so that the present position could be fully explained, and particulars also given of meetings of Industrial Council when the wages agreement was dealt with. They all recognised that they had been passing through the past twelve days such an upheaval in the industrial world as had never been known before and he felt sure that because of the solidarity that had been shown by all workers it would not be permitted to occur again.

Mr. Langham stated that he had invited Alderman F. Wake, J.P., to attend the meeting to speak as Treasurer of the distress committee, in connection with the local strike fund. They all recognised that he had had an exceedingly busy time during the last fortnight, and appreciated all the good work that he had done on behalf of the workers involved in the strike. The Chairman extended a hearty welcome to Mr. Wake and called upon him to speak.

Mr. Wake, who was received with applause, expressed pleasure at meeting the Textile workers, and congratulated them in having such a secretary as Mr. Tom Langham, whose help during the past fortnight was highly appreciated, and his short speeches had been most helpful and inspiring to all the men. He then gave a brief review of the situation, and explained that there would be cases of hardship, and they were all anxious to relieve such cases as much as possible, as those who were suffering were doing so in the interest of all workers. He recognised that the textile workers had worked a lot of short time, so he left it to them to do the best they could.

It was unanimously agreed to support the distress fund and collecting sheets were taken by representatives from every mill.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES REDUCED BY FIVE HUNDRED

Statement showing the number of workpeople who are unemployed and attending the Stroud Exchange on 19^th May 1926.

 

5,000 YARDS OF MATERIAL FOR

Summer Frocks

Cotton, Silk and Cotton, Voiles and Silks for the warm weather coming.

From 12s 11d to 13 Guineas

SPECIAL

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PALACE

Week Commencing MONDAY MAY 24^th

Monday to Friday Continuously Nightly 6 to 10.15

MATINEES Monday and Saturday at 2.30

SATURDAY TWO HOUSES 6 & 8.15

GRAND HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

BUSTER KEATON

‘Buster’s Latest Laugh-Buster’

“GO WEST”

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Thursday, Friday and Saturday

The Top of the World

 

Jottings by Jonathan

Mr. Morgan Jones, M.P., the principal speaker at the Labour and Trades Union demonstration held in Stroud on Sunday, found it a little difficult to point out the lessons of the strike, but with a hardy optimism that will not carry conviction to the average mind he believes that “the consequences of the crisis will be the enhancement of the prestige of the Trade Union movement on the one hand as an industrial weapon, and of the Labour Party on the other hand as a political weapon.” Now as an outsider I should have said that the exact opposite was the case …

Soon after the general strike had been called off we began to hear cries of anger because the railway companies intimidated that they could not instantly reinstate all the men who had gone out. A little reflection served to show how unjust was this complaint. It was natural that the men should desire to don their uniforms as soon as possible, because strike pay fell short of the weekly wage, but it was preposterous to expect the companies to take back an army of men for whom there was nothing to do. Mr. Baldwin gave a good lead on the consequences of victimisation. He would apply his rule to employers and employees alike. He, like Lord Balfour, and other Conservative leaders, has borne ungrudging testimony to the useful part played by Trade Unions in the past, and however sadly they may have blundered at times, it would be unwise and unfair to withhold credit where credit is due. Any man-made system is liable to get out of hand if certain facts of vital importance are ignored or overlooked, but it does not follow that it is not founded on right principles. This will have to be recognised when the question of Trades Unionism comes up for consideration. Hot-headed talk about smashing the Unions may be ruled out as impolitic and uncalled for. The Unions are still needed for collective bargaining. After a great struggle they were legalised and for many years functioned without serious friction or mishap. What the country demands is that in any review of their privileges and responsibilities the latter shall not be overshadowed by the former as to place the community at the mercy of reckless firebrands who make no secret of their determination to defy constitutional government. Trades Unions have lived and flourished under such a government and it is in their interests that attempts at revolutionary violence should be met with boldness such as we have recently witnessed. It would be idle to ignore the fact that too often trade union action has militated against the best interests of the public. As an example, it is only necessary to mention the building trade, with the embargo set up by the limitation of output in conjunction with the demand for high wages. It is probable that American prophecies of our decline and fall are largely based upon the striking difference between the American workman’s attitude towards industrial output and that of the average British working man. And if the difference is to be maintained and intensified there can be no escape from the decay and death which we are told to expect.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE

(To the Editor of the “Stroud Journal’)

Sir – Now that the General Strike is, as we hope, happily ended, and we have received orders from Headquarters to close down the Stroud Office and the Nailsworth Sub-Office, I should like, as Chairman of the Volunteer Services Committee for Essential Services for Stroud and District, to thank the Stroud Urban District Council for the use of the room at the Town Hall, Stroud, and also to thank all those who have so loyally helped the Recruiting Committee … The total number recruited up to May 11^th was 362. I think we who live in the Stroud area have just cause to congratulate ourselves on the excellent behaviour and good temper shown by all sections of the community during the past trying fortnight.

Yours truly,

PERCIVAL S. MARLING

Stanley Park, Stroud,

May 15^th, 1926

 

Shire Hall,

Gloucester,

17^th May, 1926

My dear Marling,

Will you kindly convey to the voluntary workers who assisted in the registration and employment of volunteers in your Area the appreciation of the Civil Commissioner of the South Western Division for their loyal assistance in the national crisis, and as Chairman of the Committee for the County of Gloucestershire may I add my own.

The arrangements in the County have worked most admirably, thanks to the prompt and efficient help we have received, while the offers for assistance which went far beyond what it was in the smallest degree possible to make use of, have shown that the spirit of the County was as fine as it always has been.

Yours sincerely,

1. RICARDO

Chairman

THE GENERAL STRIKE

(By an old Trades Unionist)

… There is no doubt that but for the overt act on the part of the “Daily Mail” staff, which precipitated a rupture in the negotiations, the general strike although called for, would never have happened. Trades union leaders may be credited with a little common sense and would have talked to the last hour to avoid what to their cause was bound to be so momentous and uncertain.

Nor can the idea be reasonably entertained that there was any deliberate silence of subverting government. Coup d’etats are impossible without the aid of the military and only an idiot would assert his faith in the barricades to-day. To the T.U. movement the result is, without a doubt, catastrophic. It is bound to demoralise the rank and file in some measure …

 

Both sides claim to have won

in the recent struggle.

But does it matter one iota which side has gained a victory. Let us get back to basics – the business of the CAINSCROSS AND EBLEY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, who are desirous of supplying all we need to eat, drink, wear or use. Others are joining this great Co-operative organisation – why not you?

 

TO HEALTH The Best way is the National way

Both from a health standpoint and for perfect enjoyment, nothing can approach a day in the country or by the sea, in a luxurious “National” Motor Coach – the “Pullman of the Road.”

Make a party of friends, choose your route etc.

HIRE A “National” Motor Coach

For full Particulars, Rates, etc, apply

The Manager

National Omnibus & Transport Co. Ltd.,

148, Locking Hill, Stroud.

 

 

 

G.W.R. PUBLICATIONS

The latest production relating the scenes of interest in the county served by the G.W.R. is from Cave Man to Roman in Britain, by one who is well-known in the district, Mr. E.J. Burrows, F.R.G.S. Mr. Burrows has dealt with his subject in a thoroughly able manner and proceeds from a description of the Cave Man and his habits to a consideration of Pre-historic Camps and Earthworks. Touching on the Burial Mounds of Ancient Man he next deals with Standing stones, dolmens and circles and then the relics of Roman occupation, the latter including a description of the Roman Villa at Chedworth. The different species of relics in the counties are arranged conveniently so that they may noted at a glance. Altogether the publication is of an extremely interesting nature to all and the price of 6d. is indeed a modest one. “Camping Holidays” gives every conceivable detail necessary for the comfort of intending campers, including the site and contour, nearest G.W.R. station, owner or tenant of suitable land, nearest drinking water, village or town and suitable rambles. It should be noted that cheap tickets are available for organised parties of juveniles travelling to and from camps and rallies.

 

An Ideal Whitsuntide

Children’s Happy Time at the “Treats”

We have been indeed well favoured in the matter of weather for general holidays this year, the only rain that fell during the Whitsun weekend being of a mild and refreshing nature. Consequently, there were few places in the neighbourhood where the sound of children’s laughter, mingled in some cases with strains of music, could not be heard. The volume of traffic on the roads approximated to that on Easter Monday, every kind of vehicle being brought into use in order that tired workers could sample the delights of the open air. The recognition of one of the truest sources of pleasure implied in the flight en masse to field and woodland is a healthy sign of national vitality which seems to increase with the passage of years. The primary association of Whitsuntide with a religious festival was very much in evidence and reports show that on Sunday large congregations paid tribute to this aspect of the season.