The Renewal of Industrial Strife

While supporting the war, the organized working class acted to protect itself economically in the time of crisis. On August 5, 1914, the Labour Party and the Trade Union Congress took the lead in organizing the War Emergency Workers National Committee for alleviating the expected distress. ¹ The Committee urged the Government to control food prices and distribution, to provide employment through public works projects, and to feed school children. ² Hyndman had envisioned it as “a potential Committee of Public Safety,” ³ but it never offered the Government any trouble. The Labour Party Executive Committee also recommended State action to “mitigate the destitution which will inevitably overtake our working people whilst the state of war lasts.” ⁴ The trade unions urged the Government to extend financial assistance and to induce employers to spread employment by working their employees short time. ⁵