This is the BBC; Tuesday May 4th.1926
Reports from every part of the country to-day reveal that the General Strike which began at midnight has caused an almost complete industrial paralysis. The Report of the Trades Union General Council was that the stoppage had been complete.
According to information which had reached the Government the country generally is very quiet. Food supplies are normal and the milk supply does not seem to have suffered since this morning. Just before 1 o’clock this afternoon the General Council and the officials of the Miners’ Federation went to the House of Commons. The Miners’ Executive were summoned to the House of Commons shortly afterwards and had a short conference with the General Council. No indication of any resumption of negotiations at present between the Government and the T.U.C. Industrial Committee … Strike Items. London – Thousands of workers walked to and from the city to-day, others went by bicycle and car. Underground stations closed, no trams. Work in the East and West London Docks at a complete standstill. The work of organisation of transport in Hyde Park busily proceeding. Manchester – Almost all trains stopped. No trams running. Glasgow – Clyde shipyards carried on. S. Wales – Stoppage of all vital services general. Teeside – 30,000 iron and steel workers idle. Southampton – Partial tram and bus service. Channel Service – Two each day between Dover and Calais. Hull – Tramway men struck. Corporation give men till Thursday to return to work failing which they must return their uniforms. Portsmouth – Tramway men struck. Given till Wednesday evening to return.
This is the BBC; Wednesday May 5th. 1926
The Chief Civil Commissioner instructs us to announce that the Board of Trade is in the exercise of the powers conferred upon them by Regulation 3 of the Emergency Regulations 1926 and all other powers thereunto….. (1) That all persons in the Metropolitan Police Area of London to whom any milk is delivered outside that area or bringing milk from outside and all persons producing any milk within that area shall place all such milk at the disposal of the London Milk Pool Committee. (2) Consequently, all such persons shall notify immediately to the London Milk Pool Committee at Hyde Park, telephone Paddington 8961, extension 4. From time to time particulars as to the quantity of such milk and the place or places within the Metropolitan Police Area where such milk is located will be given. (3) Infringements of this Order are summary offences under the Emergency Regulations, 1926. Dated 5th May, 1926. The Chief Civil Commissioner instructs us to announce that a comprehensive survey of the situation throughout the country shows that an important part of the nation’s business is being carried on. The people as a whole remain calm and confident and bear their inconveniences and hardships with good temper and fortitude. There are no untoward incidents to report anywhere. There are ample forces to maintain order. Services of power and lighting are being maintained. Milk and food are being methodically carried forward. Railway services are more numerous. From various sections of the country good reports are being received. In Bradford conditions are practically normal except for the tram service. In Birmingham work is going forward as usual. The engineers in that area have not been called out. There is more activity in the Liverpool Docks. It is expected that 800 buses will be running on the streets of London to-morrow. 400 tons of fish came to Billingsgate early this morning. At Cardiff docks are working. The situation throughout Scotland is quiet. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis appeals to members of the public to abstain from joining any meetings or processions they may meet in the streets or public places. This course will be in their own interests and will be of great assistance to the Police. This is made at the request of the Home Office. We are instructed by the Civil Commissioners to correct one of the statements in the bulletin broadcast at 1 p.m. stating that there is a danger of food shortage in the districts of Mansfield and Nottingham. The facts of the case are quite otherwise. Consumers of electricity are asked by the Ministry of Transport to economise in the consumption of electricity as much possible.
This is the BBC; Friday May 7th 1926, the fourth day of the General Strike:
The Government points out that the circulation of alarmist rumours, such as savings banks ceasing payment, etc. is a criminal offence. The Bureau announces that improved services have been maintained during the day on the Southern Railway, and Waterloo station, in particular, has resumed a considerable amount of its normal busy appearance. Reports from Southampton indicate that there is no congestion, all ships having been cleared by voluntary labour. Day services are being continued on the cross channel route and the Waterloo and City Railway is available for city workers during the morning and evening rush hours. X Ray Equipment. Further to yesterday’s announcement, the secretary of X Rays Ltd., states that all hospitals and Radiologists in the Midlands requiring X Ray films and accessories can obtain delivery on application. Telephone to Mr. T.B. Wolverton, 14, Latimer Street, Woolenhall, Staffs. Telephone 217 Woolenhall. Cars for Women Workers. Further to previous announcements, Mrs. Baldwin’s telephone number is Central 3700. Shipping. The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company announce that the cruise of the liner Arcadian to the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco, due to start on Monday next, has been cancelled. Government Announcement. “All ranks of the armed forces of the crown are hereby informed that any action which they may find it necessary to take in an honest endeavour to aid the civil power will receive, both now and afterwards the full support of His Majesty’s Government.” Home Office Announcement “Reports show that the situation regains unchanged, and the country is quiet generally. In London concerted action by strikers to prevent the transport of food by road continues, but the situation is being dealt with. In the Provinces attempts are also being made to cut off the supply of electricity for essential services by calling out men from power stations. Strikers are, however, being replaced successfully.” News. More engine crews have returned to work on the G.W.R. and a much fuller service is being run to-day. At one place in Nottinghamshire a ballot of ‘bus drivers was in favour of returning to work. An increase of train, ‘bus and tram services is reported in Lancashire. Increased train services are also reported in the Birmingham district and many men are said to be anxious to return to work.
This is the BBC; Saturday May 8th 1926
‘The convoy of 104 lorries with its escort of 16 armoured cars, cavalry and mounted police, extended for some two miles, and was received everywhere with the greatest astonishment and enthusiasm. Two battalions of Guards has on Friday morning been marched down to take possession of the Docks and on Friday evening 500 volunteers.’
This is the BBC; Monday May 10th 1926
THE PREMIER BROADCASTS
“The General Strike has now been in progress for nearly a week, and I think it is right as Prime Minister that I should tell the Nation once more what is at stake in the lamentable struggle that is going on.
There are two distinct issues – the stoppage in the coal industry and the General Strike. The stoppage in the coal industry followed nine months’ enquiry and negotiations. I did my utmost to secure agreement upon the basis of the Commission’s report …
What, then, is the issue for which the Government is fighting? It is fighting because while negotiations were still in progress, the Trade Union Council ordered a General Strike, presumably to try to force and the Community to bend to its will …
With that object, the Trade Union Council has decreed that the railways shall not run, that the unloading of ships shall stop, and that no news shall reach the public. The supply of electricity and the transportation of food supplies to the people has been interrupted.
The Trade Union Council declared that this is merely an industrial dispute, but the method of helping the miners is to attack the community. Can there be a more direct attack upon the community than that a body not elected by the voters of the country without consulting the people, without consulting even the Trade Unionist, in order to impose conditions yet defined, should dislocate the life of the nation and try to starve us into submission …”
THE CIVIC CONSTABULARY RESERVE
Appeal by the Government for a Civic Constabulary Reserve
There are at present two forces attached to the police in London … composed of patriotic citizens who are willing to give such time as they can spare to helping the police in their duty of keeping order and protecting the public. There are in these forces about 25,000 citizens. Owing, however, to the tactics employed by ill-disposed persons … it has become necessary to expand and organise a further force of loyal citizens … organised in units wearing plain clothes, but supplied with armlets, steel helmets and truncheons.
The following are eligible to join:
Officers and other ranks of the Territorial Army and the senior contingent of the Officers’ Training Corps … Ex-military men who can be vouched for at Territorial Army Unit Headquarters. Age limit 50 years. Pay will be at the following daily rates: Commander, 10/-; Inspector 7/6; Sergeant, 6/-; Constable, 5/- …
This is the BBC; Wednesday 12th May, 1926
‘Home Office reports from all parts of the country indicate that the position was quieter than on any previous day of the strike. The Government’s energetic protective methods, prompt and severe, police court action, and the restraining influence of responsible trade union leaders have effectively suppressed tendencies to rowdyism. There have been more defections from the ranks of the strikers, but the position as a whole is still one of deadlock.’
Further developments followed: a stenographic report of the termination of the General Strike was broadcast at 7p.m., followed by the broadcasting of a message from the King, followed by a message from the Prime Minister at 9.30 p.m., followed by the Valedictory from the British Broadcasting Company.
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 following message from the Prime Minister was read from the London broadcasting station on the evening of Wednesday May 12:
“The General Strike is over, though several days will elapse before normal conditions are restored. It has ended … without conditions entered into by the Government. No Government confronted by such a menace could enter into conditional negotiation, the very undertaking of which would involve treachery to the accepted basis of our democratic Constitution.
Having said this, I must make it plain that I adhere both to the spirit and the letter of the speech which I delivered to the nation a few days ago. Our business is not to triumph over those who have failed in a mistaken attempt. It is rather to rally them together with the population as a whole in an attempt to restore the well-being of the nation. I shall without delay enter into negotiations with the object of adjusting those differences between owners and men … which had engaged the constant attention of the Government at the moment when the general strike unhappily emerged.
It would not, however, be right that I should let tonight pass, without expressing the heartfelt thanks of the Government to all those of our countrymen who have supported us in the struggle which is over.
We conceived it to be a matter of absolute duty to call upon the whole country to resist the menace of a general strike. The people of these islands responded to that appeal, as in our long island history they have answered every claim made upon their love of freedom and sense of fair play. I thank everyone. I hope that my message will go to the whole army of volunteers – men, women, and even children- who have risen up to demonstrate that there is no national service which cannot be discharged even with improvised knowledge by loyal citizens if the national safety requires it.
I thank those who in their thousands responded as special constables, ready to run any risk in order that they might demonstrate that the home of this great race had not forgotten its reverence for law and order. I thank those who have vindicated, I think once and for all, the impossibility of silencing the Press of Britain. The editor and the staff, the men and women who have started by motor car every night, travelling long hours to carry the Government organ throughout the length and breadth of the country – they have deserved well of us too; and every worker in London who in order, as far as he or she could, to keep the business of the nation in action has walked miles to do his or her work during these anxious days has deserved well of the nation too.
Now I must mention with admiration the devotion, courage, and patience shown by the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, and the police throughout the whole of the country. If I do not mention others who have also helped us, it is not because I forget their services, it is because the list is too long. They have served their country well, and those who in their hearts are resolute to serve her well need ask no other praise.
I have only this to add. I never felt any bitterness in my heart, as I realised that sympathy for the miners which we all share was the dominant motive underlying the action of the Trade Unions. That action, on whatever feeling it was based, was unconstitutional in character and directly threatened the safety of the nation. Of this, however, I am certain – that our duty at the moment is to forget all recrimination. Let employers act with generosity. Let workmen put their whole heart loyally into their work. Waste no time in determining who was to blame for anything. Let us get England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland going again.
The Employers’ Association and the Trade Unions should meet without delay to adjust the many difficult questions that are bound to arise. The elements in our population which do not desire to see our country grow and prosper under a democratic Constitution are negligible. Let us neglect them but the rest of us, men, women alike, whatever view we took of the recent disorder, bind ourselves in a spirit of true comradeship to preserve, develop and maintain the industries of this country on which the fortunes of its citizens so vitally depend.
As I said In the House of Commons this afternoon, it is of the utmost importance that the whole British people should not look backwards but forwards, and resume our work in a spirit of co-operation and goodwill.
(Signed) STANLEY BALDWIN
B.B.C. VALEDICTORY
“Our first feelings on hearing of the termination of the General Strike must be profound thankfulness to Almighty God Who has led us through this supreme test with National health unimpaired. You have heard the message from the King and the Prime Minister. It remains only to add that the Nation’s happy escape has been in large measure due to the personal trust in the Prime Minister not misplaced.
As for the BBC we hope your confidence in, and goodwill to us have not suffered. We have laboured under certain difficulties, the full story of which may be told some day. We have tried to help.
In going back to work to-morrow, or the next day, can we not all go as fellow-craftsmen, resolved in the determination to pick up the broken pieces, repair the gaps, and build the walls of a more enduring city – the city revealed to the mystical eyes of William Blake when he wrote:
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.
The BBC Thursday May 13 10 a.m.
As far as London is concerned, the calling off of the General Strike seemed to have made little difference to traffic this morning. Few of the strikers have returned to work and the strike service of trains and buses is still in force, volunteers acting as drivers and conductors. No trams were running in the early morning and the scramble to get to work was as bad as ever. The newspapers appeared again in attenuated form.
While the general strike public as a whole took no pains to conceal their satisfaction at the calling off of the strike, the TUC seems to have caused some dissatisfaction among some of its adherents. A tour through Canning Town and Poplar just before midnight disclosed the fact that the inhabitants of these parts were not at all pleased with the state of affairs. Crowds paraded the streets, but the police kept them on the move, and only in one or two instances was actual violence threatened. The dockers had withdrawn their pickets from the docks, but the gates remained closed and very little activity was noticed within them.
Ellen Wilkinson, letter to the Radio Times 28 May
‘The attitude of the BBC during the crisis caused pain and indignation to many subscribers. I travelled by car over two thousand miles during the strike and addressed very many meetings. Everywhere the complaints were bitter that a national service … should have given only one side during the dispute. Personally, I feel like asking the Postmaster-General for my licence fee back.’
Sir Oliver Lodge letter to the Radio Times 28 May
‘The universal feeling is one of gratitude to the BBC for the admirable part the organisation has played … Had it not been for the possibility of prompt and broadcast communication, the country might have been more uneasy, and been perturbed far more seriously than it has been. By the sending out of trustworthy news, and by the prompt denial of false rumours, the pulse of the country was kept calm and healthy … Both sides of the dispute ought to be grateful to the organisers of the new means of spreading intelligence.’
My comment here: Even though there was no absolutely formal ‘taking-over’ of the BBC by the Government – the Archbishop of Canterbury was not allowed to broadcast his proposals; the Government would have taken over the BBC if Reith had shown too much of an independent line and Reith knew that; Cabinet members knew that if the Government did formally take over the BBC then it might lose some of its efficacy and plausibility; it was only on Monday 14th May – two days after the end of the strike that a Labour voice was heard, and that was of Jimmy Thomas …