Evening journal., 1889-08-28
NO COMPROMISE AS YET.
The Strike in London Becomes
a Question of State.
VESSEL OWNERS ASK PROTECTION

Mr.. Matthews Says There Is Nothing t0
Justify Police Tnterference--The Cham
ber OF Commerce aud Members Of Par
lianont Plead with the Employers.
LONDON Aug. es-The vessel owners held
meeting yesterday and appointed a COM
mittee 10 wait on Mr.. Matthews the home
secretary, to inquire If the government was
prepared 10 give them protection in casa
they undertook TO bring men here from other
points to load and unload the ships at this
port
Mr.. Matthews replied that he was not pre-
pared to admit the eexistence of any organized
intimidation, although here and there $50
lated instances were to be met with. Thers
was certainly nothing at this time 10 justify
the interference Of the police He pointed
out 10 them, however, the grave conse-
quences which were almost certain TO result
from an attempt at this time to fill the places
Of the strikers with foreigners, and suggested
that they do nothing rashly.
They VIII Not Import Laborers.
The committee reported at joint meet
ing Of the shipowners and the dock compa-
nies. The conference was strictly private
and reporters were excluded. 1t was learned,
however, that a decision was reached not to
make the attempt to handle freight with the
new men that have been engaged A large
steamer is now on the way to London from
Hamburg and another from Antwerp with
men who have been hired at those points to
take the places Of the striking dock laborers,
but instructions viii be sent TO land these
10 bring them 70 London.
The company's New Scheme.
A plan was proposed at the meeting, and
very favorably received, 10 gradually send
the vessels now lying here to the nearest
ports % be loaded and unloaded, and ship
their cargoes TO and from London by rail.
Nearly eight thousand laborers, who have
been hired az foreign ports and who are now
on the way here, are to be sent TO these
places 60 assist in loading and discharging
vessels. In this way il is hoped 20 tide over
the present difficulties and TO starve tho
strikers into submission, without furnishing
them an excuse for open violence by bring
ing men here 10 take their places No def
mite action wns taken, but it is quite likely
that this plan will be adopted at the adj
iourned meeting today, and then fifty of tho
steamers now lying helpless here will be dis
patched at once 70 Dover, Portsmouth,
Southampton, Hull, and even as far as New
castle, whore their cargoes viii be unloaded
and shipped TO London by rail
The Chninbcr Of Commerce Takes Hand
The London chamber Of commerce held n
special meeting, called for the purpose Of
taking some action with reference TO the dis
astrous condition Of things brought about by
the existing strikes. Tne meeting was very
largely attended, representative men from
all branches of trade and industry being
present Speeches We're made roundly de-
nouncing the dock companies for their ac-
tion, and resolutions were passed urging
them 10 agree 20 arbitration. A COMMITTEES
OF prominent business men was appointed To
wait on the officials of the company to pre-
sent the resolutions, and they we're instructed
TO use their best efforts to prevail upon the
dock companies 10 end tine strike.
Members of Parliament Appeal.
Seven members Of the house of commons
called upon the dock managers and labored
with them for nearly two hours in an effort
TO induce them 10 yield. They urged the
justice Of the demands made by the laborers,
and asked them 10 eoneede the Insignificant
advance Of wages sought. They pointed out
that the situation was hourly growing worse,
and that nothing short of absolute ruin for
the vast interests of London and England
was threatened as a result of i'll considered
obstinncy at this critical juncture on their
part The mana gers were all politeness, but
held out no encouragement, aud the most
compromising statement that could DO ex-
torted from them was that they would con-
slider it,
Mail Cart Drivers Win.
6 The drivers OF the London mail carts in a
b body made demand upon the postoiies
authorities for am increase OF their pay, which
G was promptly granted
! Over 10000 men Of different occupations
are now ON strike and all look for orders L
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