THE STRIKE SETTLEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 11893, 22 May 1903, Page 6

THE STRIKE SETTLEMENT

HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. The usual concert entertainment was in progress at the Trades Hall when the news of the settlement of the strike .spread i-.broad •hrough the city. It was confirmed at the Rialto, but at the old Trades Hall the announcement was indicmar.tly contra oictcd. 'lt's a lie," cried "one of the Executive of tire Association, who had evidently been kept very much in the dark as to what was happening. "Have a peep in the building." he added to one reporter, and say candidly whether those men look as if they would throw up the sponge" The meeting was indeed a large one, and there was no visible sign of disunion. On the contrary, -veryone appeared comfort able and in high spirits, and bv no means bursting with a desire to get back on to the footplate. After a time the members who were loitering outside the door began to show uneasiness at the persistency of statements that the strike was over. The uneasiness gave place to alarm when it was asserted that a member of the Executive had confirmed the rumor, and the alarm changed to consternation as the president and the secretary dejectedly ascended the steps _of the building. "How goes it, Harry/ cheerily inquired a friend, who re fused to believe the end had been reached. " Badly," was Mx Scorer's reminder. His eyes were red and swollen, and his general air that of a broken-spirited man. The door opened, affording a glimpse of a densely-packed gathering, where laughter was to be shortly turned into grief, and applause into imprecations. It was exactlv four o'clock when Messrs Hart and Scorer entered the bui.din-g. Mr Scorer remained only a few minutes and then left for the lualto Rooms, where he had to despatch telegrams to the country districts conveying the news of the surrender. The president had to "face the music" on behalf of th« leadera, and an unenviable dutv it was. His speech detailing the history of negotiations and their conclusion, came as a thunderclap to the men. They were amazed, and their indignation was scarcely controllable In the heat of the moment bitter remarks wpre made. Unlimited confidence had been reposed in those at the head of the agitat on. It was imagined that that confidence been violated. Accusations of bribery were openly made, but the good sense of the majority prevented any importance being attached to such a suggestion. Speaker after speaker condemned the leaders for their precipitate action. The men con sidered they should have been consulted before the strike was declared off. When it was explained that the general Executive knew as little of the intention to surrender as members did, and that the whole re sponsibility of such a course was undertaken by a sub-committee of seven, the storm of protest grew stronger. Some of those who rose to speak gave the leaders credit for pure motives, and the desire to do what was best, but there was not one who expressed satisfaction with the result. The scene was remarkable in the annals of trades unionism. In the intensity of their disappointment strong men gave way to tears. "We would have fought to the last, and gone to gaol if need be, rather than surrender," cried one member as he left the building. " The eyes of the world were on us, and how have we figured?" "We are a laughing stock for the whole country; we deserve contempt." The language generally in use was forcible. "Sold like bullocks at Smithfield," ejacu lated another member. "We are sold com pletely." There was deep pathos in the men's tones as they inquired of one another : "What do you think of it?" A few weeks ago the Engine-drivers' and Firemen's Association were the pride of unionism in Victoria, and boasted of a strength which other bodies envied. To-day the organisation was shattered to its foundations. Members whose faith had been rudely destroyed vowed that they would leave the organisation for ever. Some, however, admitted after they left the meeting that surrender was the wisest thing that could have happened. One intelligent-looking man who was pointed out as having been an opponent of Trades Hall affiliation remarked in a broken voire, as he wrung the hand of a member of the Executive: " You know how I feel, and vet with twenty-eight years' service behind me I was prepared to sacrir, -p. everything to maintain our rights, and is the end."' At about half-past six o'clock the meeting broke up. The termination was not happily accomplished. Mr Hart frankly remarked afterwards: " The gathering was an angry one on the part of the men. The day commenced with bright hope and ended with despair."