Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-11
MOB RULE ON LONDON DOCKS
Strikers Effectively Prevent Unload
ing of Food Supplies.
POLICE CANNOT HANDLE CROWD
Wagons Are Overturned and Loads
Scattered I'm Gutters-ThOusands
of Tons OF Food Spoiled
Near Famine Conditions.

LONDON, Aug. 16.--The neighborhood OF
the docks was practically under mob rule
today, with the result that there was such
a dwindling of food supplies that the
metropolis experienced something akin to
what might happen II a hostile foreign
force should succeed in interrupting Great
Britain's trade routes.
Unless good progress Is made today In
the negotiations looking to settlement
of the strike Of dock workers, the calling
out Of troops seems inevitable, as the po-
lice are unable to deal with the emergency
The only quarter where relief was ex-
perienced was Billingsgate. There the
striking fish porters obtained all they
wished and returned to work. On the
other hand, hundreds of railroad car men
quit this morning and several stations were
practically in a state of siege, strike pick
cts preventing by force all attempts TO
handle goods. 1t was the intention OF the
strikers to tie up ali street traffic unless
their demands were conceded within a fe y
hours. Should they be successful, London
would be perilously near actual famine
conditions. The stream of motor traction
today was hardly half it's usual proper
tions So short was the supply of petrol
that hundreds OF motor busses and tax
cabs were unable TO move a wheel.
The only traffic passing without fear
OF interference was that Of vans carrying
hospital stores. These were labeled with
big Red Cross signs. with permit from
the strike committee explaining that they
must not interfere with them. Until this
system OF Identification was adopted this
morning the hospitals felt a shortage OF
ice and other supplies.
Thousands OF tons OF fruit, vegetables
and provisions are rotting on the wharves
and In the railway freight depots. Unless
they can be moved soon. they threaten to
endanger the general health. Among the
larger oonsisnments which probably will
be a dead loss is a huge quantity OF Cali
fornia fruits from the steamer Minnehaha.
The central meat and provision markets
are short OF supplies and prices have ad-
vanced alarmingly.
Today the temper Of the strikers ap-
peared ugly and scenes OF violence in
creased. Throughout the east end clashes
were frequent wherever attempts were
made to move a wagon. The men would
intervene and brushing aside the made
quate police squads, overturn the wagons
and scatter their loads in the gutter. Po-
lice charges were made every few minutes,
but they were not strong enough TO have
much effect.
Those taking part in the consultations of
the Board OF Trade, which is seeking a set
tlement, state that they are getting nearer
solution each time they meet and are
determined 10 sit throughout tonight, II
there seems to be a possibility of reaching
a settlement.
Detachments Of troops arrived here to-
day to assist the police. who have been
unable to control the rloting strikers A
fusillade Of brickbats and stones met the
soldiers, but they finally took up strategic
positions and enabled the police through
succession OF baton charges to affect a
clearance OF the provisions and other goods.
AT the Central railway stations a baton
charge was required with each load Of
goods that left the place and when the
police at last exhausted, retired their places
were taken by mounted men,
The trouble with the coal porters was
settled at the Board OF Trade conference
this afternoon. The demands of the
lightermen and carmen remain TO be ad-
justed.
Troops at Aldershot were held in read
mess throughout the day 10 proceed 10
London II the disturbances continued.