THE NEW DRIVERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11589, 21 May 1903, Page 5

THE NEW DRIVERS.

STRIKE TACTICS. Several of the drivers (saya tho "Age" of Monday) were men who had previously been in the railway service, and who, of course, -were entirely famßinr with their duties. Two guards travelled in each train, and in view of possible eventualities each train carried two policemen. Two or three of the regular drivers brought engines up to the station. Ono of these, when -ho arrived at the platform, appeared to have changed his mind, and m'ormed tho officials he would go no further, but was willing to take tho engine back to Port Melbourne. The strikers derived much consolation from his secession. One of tho other "regulars" is a well-known driver, who was made the butt of many gibes and threats by some of the strikers and their sympathisers, but who is evidently not the stuff, judging by hi» appearance •and demeanor, to be intimidated by anything of that sort. Ho drove his engine throughout the day. Another engine waa manned by an cid drive- 1 , evidently _ pensioner, and a young fireman with the physique of an Apollo. There were on tho station two prominent executive officers of the Railway Association and a number of sympathisers, who went to the footplato of each engine as it camo in, and m-ed tho customary "persuasion" in older to get the driver or fireman to come off and join them. A special set was mode to get tho young fireman to secede. An active. little man, who seemed terribly in earnest, was offering him, on behalf of Mr Scorer, 15s a day if he would join the strikers. "Come, be a man, don't be a slave for tha Government," and other appeals to his sympathy or courage were addressed to him. Another active persuader offered •him £5 "to put on his coat." Appeals, taunts, or threats were alike in vain. Good humour sat with accustomed case on the young fireman's face. Ho was evidently the kind of man who would, with a fewhours' tuition, be able to drive a locomotive, and hence .the eagerness to secure him. 'The strike emis„aries, accompanied by a number of hoodlums, had obtained cntranco to tha station by purchasing tickets, and apparently had thus established a right to go to every platform and endeavour to dissuade the servant* of the Department from doing their duty. As the r*«ult of offers made on behalf of the Locomotive Engine-drivers' Association, two cf the new men were induced to leave their engines, and there, was accordingly eiacb jubilation among the, strikers.