New-York tribune., 1907-09-15
STRIKES In ENGLAND.
SEEM TO BE IMPENDING.
Country Of High Prices, Instead of
CObden's Paradise of Cheapness.
Especial by French Cable to The Tribune.1
Copyright 1907. by The Tribune Association. ]

London. Sept. 14-The splendid burst OF
fine weather after the cold wet summer
| strangely enough has brought malaria
of pessmsm. The halfpenny journals are
helping make everybody uncomfortable
by forecasting a hard winter, with a rise in
the prices Of food and clothing and industrial
disorders throughout the kingdom The cost
of living certainly has increased, and there
is upward tendency of rents in consequence
of the high rates. Economists talk vaguely
about the decline In the purchasing power OF
the sovereign, as shown by the rise in prices
current on all articles in common except
soap. The narrower view is that the sharp ad-
in the cost of coal has increased the
operating expenses of all kinds of manufactur-
ing and given an excuse for the general ad-
vance in prices. The progressive argument
points to municipal ownership and operation Of
the coal mines the only safeguard against
high prices in the country which Golden de-
signed to convert into paradise of cheapness-
But that form of state socialism has already
been carried too far. and there is a public re-
action against IT. Municipal coal mines more
over are not logical than municipal
bakeries and daires
Strikes seem to be impending in many quar-
ters of the kingdom. The most important one
may be that of railway workers, by which the
transportation business will be paraiyzed. the
Amalgamated Society has reached moment
Gus decision which Richard Bell will announce
at the mass meeting in Manchester tomorrow
There is a systematic effort to frighten the cor
porations for absolute secrecy is maintained
and the members Of the executive committee
have arranged to address meetings of railway
oDeratives at Dublin Crewe. BletChley. Brad
ford Peterboro and other centres of traffic to-
morrow The executive committee has been
armed with full power TO order general strike
and it is reported that notices OF the discoh-
tinuance of work will be sent out on Monday
but il is doubtful if crisis can be reached so
quickly There Is also serious situation IN
the northern shpyards. and restlessness pre-
walls In many Industries. Strikes which we're
prevented for a long time by judge-made law
are now possible and the working classes 90
not want to have their best weapon rust
The agitation with which the working world
IS prIIsating has extended 10 the woman suf-
frage camp which has been an annex 10 the
Labor party and the leaders have fallen out
over the details Of domestic politics Mrs
T,anlthurst IS charged with highhanded tyranny
IN ,etoIng a general conference and appointing
. council for the coming twelve months Mrs
Dtspard. Mrs. Ballington Greig. Mrs Moro"
and Miss HodEson have seeded. and are try
ing 20 form a rival organization this AFTERNOON.
in which political equality OF the sexes can be
advocated without machine methods and the
b,lgbtfnq Influences Of autocracy. The suffrage
rartv evidently has much II learn from It's
Labor allies. VINO contrive TO stand together and
have machinery enough for everybody 10 man
l. y. F.