THE ’BUSMEN’S STRIKE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 172, 4 May 1937, Page 5

THE ’BUSMEN’S STRIKE.

LONDON REMAINS CALM.

OPENING OF COURT OF INQUIRY

(United Press Association—Copyright.? (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 3.

A perfect spring day helped trudgers to accept the bus strike philosophically. The tube trains coped with the extra pressure. An official Court of Inquiry into the strike opened this morning. Mr Bevin (president of the Transport Federation) intimated that the strikers could not regard the Court as an arbitration body. A solution had to be found to the union’s claims. He promised not to engender heat, but to assist in calm deliberation.

CONTENTIONS FOR THE MEN.

STRESS AND IRREGULARITY,

(Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 3

At the inquiry into the “busmen s strike, Mr W. Bevin stressed the irregularity of the men’s life and the uncertainty of their meal relief, the intensification of their work through speeding up, and the increased size of the ’buses. These circumstances induced ill-health. Shortening of hours was an absolute necessity. Dr. James Woodhall (chief medical officer at the Manor House Labour Hospital, Golder’s Green) said there was an exceptionally large number of cases of gastric trouble and duodenal ulcers among ’busmen. Drivers complained of headaches and dizziness following traffic jams. These symptoms were consistent with carbon monoxide fumes. The Court adjourned.