A. W.

24th July 1915.

A portion of Chapter XIII. has appeared in the English Review. My thanks are due to the Editor for his courteous permission to reproduce it in the volume.


[CONTENTS]

CHAPTER I
PAGE
LABOUR UNREST[1]
CHAPTER II
THE STAMPING SHOP — GENERAL ENVIRONMENT — THE “COALIES” — THE ROLLING MILLS — PUDDLING AND SHINGLING — ACCIDENTS AT THE ROLLS — THE SCRAP WAGGONS — WASTE[9]
CHAPTER III
THE SHUNTERS — WATCHMEN — DETECTING A THIEF — FIRES — CARRIAGE FINISHERS — PAINTERS — WASHERS-DOWN — CUSHION-BEATERS — CHANGES AND INNOVATIONS — DEPARTMENTAL RELATIONS[25]
CHAPTER IV
THE OLD CANAL — THE ASH-WHEELERS — THE BRICKLAYERS — RIVAL FOREMEN — THE ROAD-WAGGON BUILDERS — THE WHEEL SHED — BOY TURNERS — THE RUBBISH HEAP[44]
CHAPTER V
“THE FIELD” — “CUTTING-DOWN” — THE FLYING DUTCHMAN — THE FRAME SHED — PROMOTION — RIVET BOYS — THE OVERSEER[63]
CHAPTER VI
THE SMITHY — THE SMITH — BUILDING THE FIRE — GALLERYMEN —  APPRENTICES — THE OLDEST HAND — DEATH OF A SMITH — THE SMITH’S ATTITUDE TO HIS MATES — HIS GREAT GOOD-NATURE  — THE SMITHS’ FOREMAN[82]
CHAPTER VII
FITTERS — THE STEAM-HAMMER SHED — FORGEMEN — THEIR CHARACTERISTICS — BOILERMAKERS — THE FOUNDRY — THE BLAST FURNACE — MOULDERS [100]
CHAPTER VIII
GETTING TO WORK — THE AWAKENING IN THE COUNTRY — STEALING A RIDE — THE TOWN STIR — THE ARMY OF WORKMEN — “CHECKING” —  EARLY COMERS — CLERKS AND DRAUGHTSMEN — FEATURES OF THE STAFF[120]
CHAPTER IX
FIRST OPERATIONS IN THE SHED — THE EARLY DIN — ITS EFFECT ON THE WORKMEN — CHARGING THE HEATS — THE OIL FURNACE — THE “AJAX” — HARRY AND SAMMY — THE “STRAPPIE” — HYDRAULIC POWER — WHEEL-BURSTING[136]
CHAPTER X
STAMPING — THE DROP-HAMMER STAFF — ALGY AND CECIL — PAUL AND “PUMP” — “SMAMER” — BOILERS — A NEAR SHAVE[153]
CHAPTER XI
FORGING AND SMITHING — HYDRAULIC OPERATIONS — “BALTIMORE” — “BLACK SAM” — “STRAWBERRY” AND GUSTAVUS — THE “FIRE KING” — “TUBBY” — BOLAND — PINNELL OF THE YANKEE PLANT[169]
CHAPTER XII
FIRST QUARTER AT THE FORGE[187]
CHAPTER XIII
THE NIGHT SHIFT — ARRIVAL IN THE SHED — “FOLLOWING THE TOOL” — THE FORGEMAN’S HASTE AND BUSTLE — LIGHT AND SHADE — SUPPER-TIME — CLATTER AND CLANG — MIDNIGHT —  WEARINESS — THE RELEASE — HOME TO REST[206]
CHAPTER XIV
INFERIORITY OF WORK MADE BY THE NIGHT SHIFT — ALTERING THE GAUGES — THE “BLACK LIST” — “DOUBLE STOPPAGE CHARLIE“ — ”JIMMY USELESS” — THE HAUNTED FORGE AND COKE HEAP — THE OLD VALET — THE CHECKER AND STOREKEEPER[225]
CHAPTER XV
SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS — THE FACTORY YEAR — HOLIDAYS — “TRIP” —  MOODS AND FEELINGS — PAY-DAY — LOSING A QUARTER — GETTING MARRIED[241]
CHAPTER XVI
COLD AND HEAT — MEALS — FAT AND LEAN WORKMEN — WAYS AND MEANS — PRANKS — ALL FOOLS’ DAY — NEW YEAR’S EVE[258]
CHAPTER XVII
GETTING A START — THE NEW HAND — TOWN AND COUNTRY WORKMEN —  PROMOTION — DISCHARGING HANDS — LANGUAGE OF THE SHED —  EDUCATION — THE EDUCATED MAN NOT WANTED — GREASING THE FORGE[274]
CHAPTER XVIII
SHORT TIME AND OVERTIME — “BACK TO THE LAND” — THE TOWN INFLUENCE — CHANGES AT THE WORKS — GRIEVANCES — THE POSITION OF LABOUR — ILLS AND REMEDIES — THE FUTURE OUTLOOK[292]
APPENDIX
TABLE OF WAGES PAID AT THE WORKS[309]
Index[311]

[LIFE IN A RAILWAY FACTORY]


CHAPTER I