The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-12
JOHN BURNS HAS 4 VERY HARD TIME President of the Government Board Bitterly Attacked MRS. ECKSTEIN TO JAPAN Famous American Woman Goes In In- terest of Universal Peace-Eng-
 1ish Cotton Trade In Midst of
 Pronounced Boom
MRS. ECKSTEIN TO JAPAN
BY PHILLIP EVERETT

BY PHILLIP EVERETT
 London, February 11.-(SpeciaD-Poo old John Burns is having rather hard time of late. He was violently attacked during the recent election campaign, of course.. but that was part of the game, and troubled him but little. Then when he tried to pose as an expert on Napo- leon and tried to prove that the great little emperor once lived in London in cognito, everybody laughed at him, and now he is made the target of the accu- sation that since he has become cap itaist with an income of $25.O00 year he cares nothing for the working men of London. and even less for the unem- ployed.
 There are at present over sixty thous- and unemployed in London. There is an act of parliament to give them work and a man who Is supposed to see that this Is done. That man isJohn Burns Pres ident of the local government board, and he Is now accused of opening his ears to the talk of fiatterers and stuffing them to the cries. of starving children of whom there are thousands all over London. The unemployed workmen act of 1905 provides, that by applying to certain committees every unemployed workman shall be given work for sixteen weeks, and to cover the expense the president of local government board must apply each year to parliament for a special ap- propriation.
 John Burns stands accused of having neglected this duty in this respect. Three years ago he got an appropriation of s1 ,50o.000 for relief work, last year he has asked only for s5oo,Oo0 although the need is greater than ever, and so far he has not come forward with a single word in defense of his action.
 Miss Anna B. Eckstein of Boston is about to leave England for Japan, to try to influence the warlike Japanese In fla vor of universal peace. Miss Eckstein is member of the board of directors or the American peace society and holds seat on the peace committee of the Nat icnal German-American Alliance.
 When I met her the other day she said that she expected her tour would take another three years, and that everywhere she had been, she had found that the peace movement is making rapid strides forward, and nowhere more than on the European continent.
 "In Denmark" she said' I encount- cred considerable enthusiasm, meeting with the same reception in Holland. Germany is slowly beginning to realize the significance of the movement. Es- pecially Is this the case with the German working classes. who are for the most part socialist democrats, but who took very kindly to my propaganda work. k."
 Although the day when swords shall be turned into ploughshares Is far, far distant 1t seems in Miss Eckstein's opin- ion that the international reduction Of armaments Is bound to come within a short time.
 The English cotton trade Is in the midst or the most pronounced boom In its his tory.
 Every operator In Lancashire cotton trade is fully occupied" said Councillor William Tattersall. England's foremost cotton expert to me yesterday when l saw him at his hotel here. Tn fact we have not enough weaves to work in sev- eral towns. No operative need be out of employment an hour in the cotton belt, which comprises parts of Yorkshire and Cheshire. as well as Lancashire.
 The great improvement, particularly in the weaving department, began in October last. and was mainly due to an increased demand for piece goods from India and China. It increased so quick lv that Idle looms were set going, and all the weaving sheds possible were running full time by November. It was soon found there was scarcity of weavers in the Blackburn district and northeast Lancashire generally. Owing to the bad trade in the early part of last year and the scarcity of cotton, some 5000 weav- CTS left Lancashire for Canada and the United States.
 There was a good deal of talk at the time among the emigration agents at the excellent prospects in the Fall river district. At one time last fall 2o,O0o looms, or a quarter of the existing looms, rta In, fhA n nk and the prospects seemed so dark that no wonder the alluring stories about America proved so successful But America has not realized anticipations, and 1t Is well known that many of the emigrants want to return as the cotton trade is bad in the states, and arrange ments are being made there for a short time.'
 "A number of weaving sheds in north east Lancashire have been compelled to clcse because employers cannot get wea- ers.
 Early in May. new type of school will be opened in London. This is sit uated in Hoxton, and will form part of new wing to the Shoreditch technical institute. In 1t some two hundred girls will be taught household management and trades.
 flat to accommodate the mistress and six girls will form part Of the new bull ding. Here the girls will live and sleep. learning in practical manner the science of domestic economy. As each of the six completes her course others will follow, until all the pupils have had the benefit of residence. The London coun- ty council are now making preparations for equipping and furnishing the build ing. and also the fiat
 By Easter some thirty girls will be se- lected sfor the domestic economy course, and after midsummer others will be ad- mitted.
 The new wing will cost $5,00 for equip ment and furniture. In 1t two classes for designing and making of wholesale costumes will be provided, and in May there will be classes in trade embroidery and designing
 King George is planning some banquets en garcon at Buckingham palace for the next two months. and they will put the new chief in the Lord stewards depart ment. M Cedard, upon his mettle. On these occasions the gentlemen of the household will be present, and there will be a separate household dinner for those ladies of the court who may be in res- idence. It Is expected, however. that Queen Mary will take the opportunity Of accepting the hospitality of one or at their town houses. This was occas- ionally done in similar circumstances by Queen Alexandra.
 
 On Bargain Day
 From Judge.
 Gentleman-Er-where can I find the silk counter?" ..tt f