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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 12

Iron Trades' Short-Time Movement

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Iron Trades' Short-Time Movement.

There can be no doubt that on Glasgow from all parts of the country the eyes of many were fixed, watching with anxiety and interest for the result of the agitation for the 51 hour week, which for months had been stirring the minds of her thousands of iron workers. By all such this pamphlet will be read with interest. We are also of opinion that a calm review of these pages will lead the public mind to think differently with regard to the West of Scotland Iron Trades' Short-Time League from the opinions that are generally entertained towards trade organisations, especially those which, like it, are of gigantic proportions.

We will not comment upon the coolness, the wisdom, the intelligence, and, withal, the friendliness with which these Conferences were conducted by both parties, as these things must undoubtedly strike the mind of every intelligent reader of this pamphlet; but it is almost impossible for us to avoid recording our satisfaction that we have entered upon an era when employers and employed can settle their disputes and differences in a Christian and intelligent manner.

We are sure we have the sympathies of all in so expressing our-selves, and we think that the extended circulation of this pamphlet will deepen those feelings of sympathy, and create in the minds of working men, in any future emergency, an immediate desire to adopt the course pursued by the Iron Trades, instead of the old method of strikes.

It is chiefly for this purpose, and also to serve as a memento of this important transaction in regard to the reduction of the hours of labour, to allow the working man a little more opportunity for improvement—socially, physically, and religiously—that we send this publication forth with our earnest wishes for its success.

Thos. R. Elrick

, Secy. Engineers' Committee Rooms, 182 Trongate, Glasgow, March, 1872.