The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-02
Nearly 100000 VIII Stop Work
 IO England
LONG LIST OF GRIEVANCES
Leader of the Strikers Is a Member of Parliament and He Believes the Matter Has Gone Too Far
 To Avert Strike.

London, November 1.--Notwithstand- ing the powerful influences that have been at work for some time past in the hope of averting trouble in the British railroad world, tonight there seems to be but little probability of preventing a strike which will have the most serious consequences To the travelling public and the men and com panies involved as well as to commer- clal interests generally. The action taken today by the executive commit tee of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in passing a resolu tion to call a general strike leaves little or no hope for favorable out come. This society always has been looked upon as one of the most con servative of the labor unions, and it's leader, Richard Ball. M F., has been noted for his efforts to prevent strikes and for his utterances in favor of the rights of capital as well as the rights of the workingmen Consequently the resolution of today is not taken light ly and in view of these declarations and the determined stand taken by the society since the grievances of the men were first voiced, 1t does not seem likely that the men will withdraw from their present position.
 While there is a long list of alleged grievances, the principal one has turn ed on recognition of the union, and this the railroad companies, whose chief spokesman is Lord Claude Ham ilton, are determined not to coneede
 Resolution To Strike.
 The resolution to call a general strike is as follows:
 The conference of representatives of railway men of England, Ireland, Scot land and Wales. realizing the grave re- sponsibilty involved in the declaration of a national railway strike, regrets that the arbitrary refusal of the rail- way companies to meet the accredited representatives of the men even to dis cuss a settlement by friendly negotia- tions leaves no other course open but to carry out the mandate of our mem bers. as disclosed in the result of the ballot, and we therefore recommend that the executive committee issue notice to the papers and to the whole railway service"
 Richard Bell, M. P4 general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railwaf Servants and leader of the strike move ment said as to the effect of the reso- lution:
 "It means all that 1t says. Not only the members of the society, but every man engaged in the railway service in the United Kingdom, will get notice We took the opinion of our members, and Knowing that and knowing also that thousands of men outside the society are in sympathy with us, we resolved to call on every one to come out
 Long Delberation.
 The decision to call a general railway strike was reached after five hours de- liberation by the executive committee of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants with the advisory committee appointed by the three conferences of the society last June at Birmingham, Glasgow and Dublin
 Secrecy is maintained regarding the re- suit of the ballot, but it is understood 10000 to S0,000 declared for a general strike and that at least 100000 men belong ing to the Amalgamated Society of Rail way Servants will stop work.
 Mr Lloyd George, president of the board of trade has been engaged dur ing the past week in unsuccessful ef- forts to induce the directors of the ral- way companies to agree to q compromise in order to avert general strike. He ----~---------~---~--------