Page:Omnibuses and Cabs.djvu/147

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The Latest Struggle
127

protest, stating that a determined attempt was being made to run its cars off the road, and appealing to the public to "rally round the flag". A few weeks later a leaflet, headed "No Surrender!" was distributed in the districts through which the "oranges" and "blues" passed. It bore an illustration of a smart, well-patronised Putney and Brondesbury Road Car being followed by an almost empty knife-board omnibus. Beneath this amusing, but somewhat misleading, illustration were the following lines:—

"Welcome, welcome London Road-Car, beard the mammoth God of Shares,
Pioneers of all improvements, handsome cars and cheaper fares;
No more 'tube‘ and foreign gee-gees, onward, Road-Car, spread the light,
No more sixpence any distance after eight on Sunday night

"’No more turning back‘ said Buller, to the gallant rank and file;
No white flag was ever hoisted by the ’Dubs‘ from Erin's isle;
Strike no flag, and give no quarter, for with them it's 'outing-due.'
Good luck to the 'orange blossoms‘, for we've long since had the 'blues.‘

"Stand no nursing, Road-Car drivers, you've a right as well as they,
Forward, valiant standard-bearers, bravo "D" and "B" and "J."
Come to stay's the public verdict, bull-dog pluck cannot be beat,
Men and masters, pull together, no surrender ! no retreat!

"To the public I'm appealing; forward help this gallant band,
'Neath the grand old flag of England in your thousands take your stand;
Trace to them all known improvements, now, as in the days of yore,
When a change is really needed, they'll send five-and-twenty more,"

"Cead a Mille Failthe"