The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-07
Thousands Ire Idle and With-
 out Food or Clothes
BIG STRIKE IS EXPECTED
On Top of All Thls Trouble the Grip Is Unusually Severe and All Who Can Do So Are Leaving
 as Fast as Possible.

London. December 6-The board of trade returns of London show the largest percentage for ten years past of un- skilled persons out of work while the proportion Of skilled without employ ment is constantly growing The Wool wich arsenal authorities have discharg- ed 2OO0 mechanics since the winter set in and are preparing to let out 4O0O more. To the army of people out of work must be added 56O00 members of the army reserve who have been released from service with the colors The worst distress naturally is visible in the East End
 A number of newspapers have started subscription columns and daily print har- rowing stories of half-clad school child ren. many of whom are without any food except scanty luncheons furnished by sympathetic teachers. A number of the London suburban councils are start ing public works in order to employ a small portion of the idle persons. The canning town suburb where the distress is keenest, has appropriated 25O,OOO for relief works. The London county coun- cil will meet December to consider the proposition for calling a conference of municipal bodies throughout the coun- try to discuss what can be done towards establishing a permanent system for re- leving the unemployed.
 Big Strike Expected.
 Coincident with the general distress and idleness, the Ship Builders Federation is quietly preparing for a test of strength with the labor unions that may precipi- tate general strike similar to the great engineers strike of a few years ago. The ship builders, who have suffered for years from the restriction of the output. coun- tenanced by the unions, have decided that 1t Is necessary to introduce radical reforms in the way of labor-saving ma chinery. This means reduction in the price of peace work, on which almost all of the yards are running. Builders say that if the men accept the introduction of machine tools, most of which are of American origin, and agree to run the yards at their full capacity, 1t will enable them not only to make more wages, but will largely increase the output of the yards. Even the most optimistic builders have small hope that the reform will be accomplished without a stiff fight. They believe, however that the time Is ripe for experiment, since the new machines in many cases can be run by unsl5illed laborers.
 Grip Unusually Severe.
 The grip is unusually severe this winter and has already been felt throughout England, with the result that all who can do so are leaving Hundreds of peo- pie are on their way to India to attend the Delhi Dunbar, ard thousands are fiocking to the south of France and the channel islands.
 Christmas house nartiea are heino or- ganized at all the big country places, where the frost is rapidly spelling the hunting and driving the guns" indoors In East London the winter Is having a very different effect. Thousands of un- employed persons daily congregate at the dock yard gates. literally fighting for a chance to do a days work Unsklled la borers are there in strong force, and the police find it necessary to protect the foremen who distribute the workmen tickets each morning.
 Royal Christmas Gifts.
 That portion of the fashionable world which can afford Christmas gifts Is watching the purchases of the members of the royal family in order to follow suit. King Edwards gifts this year run largely to pen and pencil holders, cigar ette cases and delicate enamel work set with a new variety of soft-tinted, semi transparent stones heretofore unknown in the realm of jewelry. Queen Alexan- dria is also partial to enamel work. This year she is giving many photographs in artistic enamel frames, whereas the late Queen Victoria usually favored silver for the same purpose. Queen Alexandria's well known fondness for pearls leads her to distribute many of them among her more intimate friends at the Christmas season.
 King of Portugal Popular.
 The King of Portugal made himself de- cidedly popular during his stay in Eng land. besides proving himself one of the best shots in Europe, a keen motorist, clever painter and a good musician. During his visit to Blenheim palace he treated the house party there to a num- Der of French love songs and Portuguese ballads.
 It is long since the London theatres and restaurants have experienced so profitable a season as the present. The West End Is ablaze with light nightly: all the amusement places are crowded, and theatre supper parties keep the fashionable hotels and restaurants busy until long after midnight.
 
 RAILROAD WAR IMMINENT.