Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-29
LONDON IN VERY BAD SHAPE
A Famine Threatening the British
Metropolis.
COAL PoRTeRs GAIN A POINT.
The Dock Companies Blamed for the
Big Strike Because of Their
Refusal TO Concede
just Demands.
The Strike Causing Uneasiness.


LONDON August 2s-[New York Herald
Cable-Speciai to The BEE.l- by far the
most serious event OF the day is the immense
strike now going on in London. IL gives
very serious uneasiness to the authorities,
and no wonder, for nearly 100 600 men are
already engaged in it and there is every
reason to believe that the number will go on
increasing, for there are many signs that the
entire movement has been preconcerted and
that the socialistic bodies in London have
been busily preparing for it for some little
time. The general public do not vet seem to
be aware OF what is taking place around
them. The shipping trade of this great port
is nearly paralyzed, the coal trade is blocked,
car men are giving up work in all direc-
tions, so that goods are with difficulty
delivered, and 1t is well known that the gas
companies are in fear ana trembling OF a
strike which would plunge London in dark
ness. In point Of fact, what seems to be just
now impending is something like gen.
eral rising among the laboring classes. The
men who have turned out thus far have
shown great good temper in their process
sions and demonstrations, but they are also
very determined not to allow men to work in
the places which they have deserted AS
hands and cannot be raised, it is obvious
that grave elements of danger exist
and they may break out at any
momeut The authorities arc fully
alive to this and last Sunday the foot guards
as well as household regiments were kept in
barracks all day in event of their services
becoming necessary. The police force, al
ready overworked, has also been again
called upon for extra duty.
There are always alarmists in every emer-
gency. who predict all sorts of calamities,
hence one is not surprised to find that there
are whispers of the docks being set on fire
and of general raid of the shops of the
West End. Without anticipating any such
disaster. it does seem a pity that the authori-
ties could not have the dock companies con
sent to having the dispute with their men re-
terred to arbitration. The dock la
borsr has much to complain Of.
He has been entirely helpless in the
hands of the companies and they have
taken every advantage of him. His present
claims are in the main just and reasonable.
Under these circumstances it is pity that
the government could not have brought a
little gentle pressure to bear upon the DOCK
companies so that compromise might have
that now The strikers feel their own
strength and their leaders impress upon
them night and day that the metropolis IS
pretty much at their mercy. 1t is becoming
more and more difficult every hour to see
any way out of the difficulty. Meanwhile
we really do not know how long we shall
be able to get food. 1t is often
pointed out that in the event
~ do r ha
to starvation. We are getting into some
thing like that position. Ships can indeed
come up the river, but they can not unload.
Cargoes of foreign meat are spelling in the
Thames. Corn can not be discharged from
the vessels which brought it, and even pas
senger traffic IS beginning to be dlsorgan-
ixed. The whole business world of London
I is affected, for nothing can be bought or sold
lunless delivery can be guaranteed. More
lover, the strike seems likely to extend to
southampton, Liverpool and other ports,
and if it does business will be most seriously
tmpeded, If not actually stopped for time,
with the most serious consequences for the
police, as well as for the various
companies. Parliament, of course, can do
nothing in the matter, but perhaps the pres
ident of the board of trade might use his in.
fuence with the dock companies, even at
tins late hour, with view of bringing about
reconciliation. Unless some such step can
be taken the trouble will inevitably spread
and we may soon have events to depore
which would alarm the whole country. The
Cunard, White Star, Inman. p. g. o. and
other lines are doing their utmost to keep
their men in good humor, and, indeed, most
of the hands acknowledge that they have
In 30 lai i'm Of bnt hau ra
being subjected to great intimidation.
If anything can be done to avert the evils
which are looming heavily over us it be-
hooves the governDarnt and all persons OF
influence to act without another moments
delay.
ManChcstec,a Rusiness in Bad Shana