Railways Giving "Dirty and Raw Deal" A REMARKABLE attack was made
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in the House of Commons on the four principal railway companies for the manner in which'they were alleged to have neglected the comfort of
Service men. Specifically mentioned were the conditions in respect of restrooms, washing and lavatory facilities, and food canteens at Euston, King's Cross, St. Pancras, and Liverpool Street railway stations.
Mr. Robertson, Unionist Member for Streatham, raised the subject, on the adjournment, and was supported in his protest by Members of all parties. He said he had been requested by the Association of Scottish Societies particularly to look into the conditions at the northern stations.
To his great regret he found there was a total lack of rest accommodation for the thousands of sailors, soldiers and airmen who passed through those great stations by day and night and that catering facilities were either absent or hopelessly inadequate. A soldier who wished to wash had to pay 3d., if he could get a basin, whilst if he wished to shave the had to pay another 4d.
He had spent a month with the Ministers concerned in an endeavour to have matters rectified, hut he was still in the same position as he was when he started.
He spoke of 70 men lying on the linoleum-covered floor of a waitingroom at King's Cross after arriving at 2 a.m., because there was no other accommodation for them. At St. Pancras the troops slept on the floor of a small waiting-room which was a kind of " black hole of Calcutta." The atmosphere was appalling and it was actually proposed to charge a rent of £65 a year.
Having mentioned other grievances, be said be charged with negligence the Director of Welfare and those responsible for his work, as well as the directors of the railway companies and their managers. He furthermore alleged that the re:way authorities had shown a great want of sympathy.
Mr. Butcher pointed out that the railway companies were operated under the direction of the Railway Executive Committee which was under the
Minister of Transport. These companies had prided themselves on how they were serving the public. Members had just heard how they were serving the troops.
It would he remembered that in the months just before the war the railways had come squealing for a " square deal." It was to be a square deal for the railway companies and their shareholders, but a dirty and raw deal for the serving men.
After several more Members had joined in the criticism of the railway companies for their omission to look after the serving men, Mr. R. Law, Financial Secretary to the War Office, replied, arguing that Mr. Robertson had drawn an unnecessarily gloomy picture. The conditions described were not universal. Admittedly they were not as might be wished, but improvements were being made at the stations mentioned. The matter was being seriously considered by the War Office.
Lieut.-Colonel Guest remarked that this was largely a matter for the Minister of Transport, who should enforce his will upon the railway companies.