New-York tribune., 1900-08-26

district in South Wales. The nominal cause OF
the dispute is here absurdly frivolous-a quarrel
over the reinstatement Of single invalided
sigaalman whom the company had treated with
ample consideration: but behind II looms the
larger question as to whether the company shall
recognize the right OF the trades unions TO
represent men IN cases OF this kind; this COM
psny refuses The directors say that they viii
discuss matters with their own men whenever
the latter have e grievance, but that they VIII
not permit third parties like the officials OF a
trades union 20 interfere in the conduct of their
business Mr. Richie president OF the Board
Of Trade has offered the services OF his de-
partment to arbitrate between the dsputants.
but they have so far been declined by the men,
and the strike continues
The dispute however, threatens to extend to
the wider area Of the Great Eastern Railway
one OF the English trunk lines which car
rfes a great number Of passengers in ana
out Of London daily besides serving popular
seaside resorts the East Coast. and is in
great difficulties with its employees number
OF different and somewhat complicated points
have been raised, but. roughly speaking. the
main question is the that In Wales
namely the recognition of a trades unions
right 10 negotiate with a company on the part
OF the men. The final reply of the directors to
the demands made on them has not yet been
received, and possibly the railway men may de-
eide TO strike without waiting for II. hoping
60 paraiyze their employers at time when
holiday traffic is at it's height. The other rail-
way companies have. however, decided TO make
common cause with their threatened competitor.
AT q meeting OF representatives of the principal
lines having termini in London yesterday IT
vas resolved 20 assist the Great Eastern direc-
tors: II strike should take place, each COM
pany agreed 10 aid the Great Eastern as far as
its abilities permitted and all pledged them
selves not to engage any OF the Great Eastern
men who may go out on strike. The companies
concerned in this agreement employ 33f'Ooo
men and their total capital is close TO toou'-
100000.
The fact is. railway directors feel that stand
must be made once for all The recent rise in
the price of coal and the general Increase in
working expenses have reduced dividends on the
stock Of almost every British railway. II. in
addition the labor bill is to swell constantly un-
der trades union pressure, the dividends In
good many eases will almost disappear. More
over the time is not an unfavorable one for the
directors 70 enter upon this campaign Coal is
so high at present that II would be positive
advantage to most companies TO have reasonable
ground for suspending part Of their train SER
vice Little doubt is felt that If the contest be-
gins in earnest the union will be beaten in the
prices now being charged for English and Welsh
coal may create formidable competition in al
most the greatest Of British industries. Yester-
day, for the first time on record, a sample or
virginian coal to be seen at the London
Coal Exchange, and at the present moment an
American vessel is unloading over three thou
sand tons of Pennsylvania coal in London docks
for one Of the metropolitan gas companies. The
dealers, having heard something OF the great
g-,4I
the European markets, looked at the cleaning
block Of carbon with something more then re-
spectfuI interest At the present prices charged
by British coal owners there is undoubtedly an
opportunity for the product of American coal
fields.
The theatrical world is at last showing signs
of revival after an exceptionally dull and stag
uant holiday season. For the last few weeks
only five West End theatres have been open,
which is unprecedented, even for the month of
August Mr.. Cartons excellent play. Lady
Huntsworth's Experiment has gone right
through the summer at the Criterion and Miss
Mabelle Gilman the latest American attraction
on the English stage. continues to attract at the
Shaftesbury Theatre where The Casino Girl
threatens TO rival the success Of THE Belle Of
New-York" The first of the autumn novelties
Is English Nell" at the Prince of Wales's Thea
ire which is Mr. Edward Roses version Of An
thony Hopes clever novel Simon Dale The
comedy Is neatly constructed. with abundance
Of bright epigrammatic dialogue Of distinctly
literary flavor The chief honors in the pres
entation are taken by Miss Marie Tempest
whose innpersonation of Nell Gywnne Is fuil OF
tact, skill and discriminating vivacity, without
a trace of the vulgarity which the character OF
the questionable heroine seemed almost TO in
vlte Miss Tempest seems likely TO repeat in
comedy the success she has already obtained IN
light opera. The other Nell Gwynne play, the
American one, which is TO be called Sweet Nell
of Old Drury" will be produced at the Hay
market Theatre on Thursday next. with Miss
Julia Nelson in the title role. Mr. George
Alexander will reopen the ST. James's Theatre
on the following Saturday, with Mr.. Sydney
Grundy's new romantic drama, "A Debt OF
Honor" and Mr.. Beerbohm Tree is actively re-
hearsing Julius Cesar" which he will present
at Her Majesty's Theatre September 6; SO
that in the course of the next fortnight the Lon
doner returning from his holidays will have no
lack Of dramatic entertainment provided for
him