The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-07
THOUSk<,OS ,;ED WORK
 S Baa Showing by English
 Statistics. PERSONS SUFFER FOR FOOD
PERSONS SUFFER FOR FOOT
Big Strike May Result from
 the Conditions.
The Grip Prevailing With Unusai Severity in Great Britain. workmen Fight for an op-
 portunity to Labor.

London, Dec. 6.-The Board of Trade returns of London show the largest per centage of ten years past of unskilfed persons out of work while the propor- ton of skilled without employment Is con stantly growing. The Woolwich arsenal authorities have discharged 1000 me- chanics since the winter set in and are preparing to let out 4.OO0 more. To the army of people out of work must be ad- ded 5000 members of the army reserve who have ben released from service with the colors. The worst distress naturally is visible in the East End,
 Thousands Without Food.
 A number of newspapers have started subscription columns and daily print narrowing stories of half-clad school children, many of whom are without any food except scanty luncheons furnished by sympathetic teachers. A number of the London suburban cuncils are starting public works in order to employ small portion of the idle persons. The can ming town cuburb, where the distress IS keenest has approprited 50,0o0 pounds for relief work. The London county council will met December g to consider the prop
  cipal bodies throughout the country to discuss what can be done towards estab- fishing a permaneit system for relieving the unemployed
 Big Strike May Occur.
 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 a general strike similar to the great engineers strike of q few years ago. The ship builders, who have suffered for years from the restriction of the output countenanced by the unions, have decid- ed that it is necessary to introduce radi- cal reforms in the way of labor saving machinery. I his means a reduction in the price of piece work on which almost all of the yards are running. Builders say that if the men accept the introduction of machine tools. who of which are of Amer ican origin, and agree to run the yards at their full capacity, it 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 ac- ccmplished without stiff fight. They believe, however. that the time is ripe for experiment, since the new machines nmany cases can be run by unskilled labors.
 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 people are on their way to India to attend the Delhi Dunbar. and thousands are flocking to the south of France and the channel is- lands
 Christmas house parties are being or ganized at all the big country places, where the frost is rapidly spelling the hurting and driving the "glss" indoors. In East London the winter is having very different effect Thousads of unem- ployed persons daily congregate a the dock yard gates, literally fighting for chance to do days work. Unskilled la borers are there in strong force, and the police find it necessary to protect the foremen who distribute the workmen tickets each morning.
 Latest Christmas Gifts.
 That portion of the fashional 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 cite gases and delicate enamel work set with q new variety of soft-tinted semi tran Rlrent stones heretofore unknown in the Balm of tewelry. Queen Alexandra is also partial to enamel work. This year she is giving many photographs in artis- tic enamel frames, whereas the late Queen Victoria usually favore silver for the same purpose Queen Alexandra's well known fondness for pearls leads her to distribute many of them among her more intimate friends at the Christmas season.
 Portugal's King 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. Du- ring his visit to BIenheim Palace he treated the house party there to a mum Der of French love songs and Portuguese ballads.
 It is long since the London theatres and restaurants have experienced SO profit able a season as the present. The West End is ablaze with light nightly; all the amusement places are crowded, and the atre supper parties keep the fashionable hotels and restaurants busy until long after midnight.