The Henson Journals

[54]

Monday, July 7th, 1919.

I cleared up my study (an Augean stable of dusty papers) and wrote some letters. Herbert & I had a hasty lunch, & then went to London by the 12.50 p.m. express, which brought us into Paddington at 4.20 p.m. After trying in vain to get a room for Friday night at the G.W.R Hotel, I went to Garland's. I had tea in the Athenaeum, where I found Bernard, Ridley, Macmillan, Ernest, & the Archbishop. I dined with the Brethren at 4 Little Cloisters.

Mr Joseph Shaw K.C. travelled with me to Paddington. He gave me a printed report of his speech to the shareholders of the Powell Duffryn Steam Coal Company, Limited. It is a severe & telling criticism of the Sankey Report. He said that Justice Sankey used to be known on circuit as "Slimy John": & that his conduct of the Coal Commission was generally regarded with disfavour by lawyers. He says that a conflict with the miners cannot be long averted, & had best take place in the summer time, when the public can manage without coal. He had advised the Government not to employ troops against the strikers but to call for volunteers. These in his belief would be forthcoming in ample quantity from the agricultural labourers.

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