Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-01
WITH EXCEPTION OF FEW SMALL
coLLIERlEs GREAT sRITAlN's
MINES ARE CLOSED.
ONE MINE IN COUNTRY
NOT INVOLVED IN Dispute
Government Threatens to Pass Mini
mum Wage Bill Unless Owners Agree
TO PrineipIe-AII Industries Of coun-
try May Be ParaIyxsd-steamships
Can Not Sail.

London, March with the excep-
tion Of few small collierIes situated
in isolated districts, all the coal mines
OF the country were idle this morning
Some Of these places where work is
still going on, notably in Warwickshire,
where 10000 men are employed, the
miners will join the strikers tomorrow.
The only mine in the country where
the men have decided to remain at
work is a little one in northern Wales,
and here the mining is carried on under
police protection.
More Than 4 Million idle.
An official return issued this morn
ing estimates the number of strikers
who have laid down their tools as
1,049,407
In most Of the districts the men are
taking advantage Of the strike to enjoy
holiday and no trouble is anticipated.
The greatest danger spot is In South
Wales, where the most determined
spirit prevails and where the union
funds are only sufficient to provide
strike pay to the men for a short time.
The railways thruout Wales issued
notices today that train service would
be curtailed. and other railways in
Great Britain will follow this example
tomorrow.
Public Approves Government Course.
The miners federation resumed its
conferences this morning and one oil
the members expressed the opinion
that the negotiations with the owners
would be successfully terminated In
the course Of next week
Public opinion generally endorsed the
governments decision to pass mini
mum wages bill unless the remainder
Of the owners agree to that princfpae
which has been already consented tt
by so per cent of the employers.
Steamers Can't Sail.
The conference Of the miners feder-
alton adjourned after delegating to
the executive committee full power to
continue the negotiations with the
owners and to summon the conference
to meet again when it shall be neces-
sary.
Several hundred steamers are held up
at the various ports thru lack Of coal,
but large trans Atlantic lines assert
they are we'll provided with fuel.
May Pass Waco Law.
Mr.. Asuuith, in making an appeal for
q settlement to the miners: federation
at a conference late last night, decided
that If the governments recognition OF
the minimum wage principle did not
bring about an agreement between the
disputants the government, would Sc
cure it by other means.
This is hint of an intention to pass
a bill fixing a minimum wage legally.
1t is believed if such action still fails
to relieve the situation the government
is prepared to go still further. perhaps
to the extent of taking over and oper-
sting the mines.
Mr.. Asquith in his speech to the min
ers' federation was emphatic in fndi-
eating that the ministry would refuse
to let the strike proceed. The col
lieries, he said, were the life blood OF
the country's industry and in the con-
tinuance of mining lay the root not
only of its prosperity but Of its exist
ence.
Will Paralyzs Industry.
"we," he said, ARE now face to face
with a warfare which will paralyze all
the other Industries Of the country"
The premier declared the government
was determined that the minimum
wage should become part and parcel
Of the organization working the coal
industry by whatever appropriate
means the government could command.
Concord and justice, he said, demand
the establishment Of the minimum
wage, and the government did not In
tend that the resistance OF minority
of the mine owners to; this principle
should delay a settlement of the strike.
Earlier yesterday the federation had
reitera ted its refusal to negotiate un-
less the owners conceded the minimum
wage schedule fixed by that body. Sir
George Ranken Askwitf. the board OF
trade peacemaker, succeeded in induc-
ing the Northumberland owners to ac-
cept the principle of the minimum
wage. They refused, however. to pay
It irrespective Of the ability Of the
workers to earn It.
Strikers Look to Government.
The miners are iubilant over the rec
ognition by the government of the
minimum wage principle. They have
funds enough in their treasury to pay
every employe now out. They intend to
give $3.50 per week to every miner and
smaller amounts to unskilled men and
boys. The money in the treasury will
last at least month.
BIG Producers 81 Coal.
The Importance of the coal mining
industry in Great Britain is obvious
from the figures Of the production of
1909, when 263,774,312 tons Of coal were
produced, the total value OF which at
the Dit mouth was 3531.374,500.
The total number of persons em-
ployed in and about the mines in the
same years was 1,o42.435, and Of these
S1s.3s1 worked underground. On the
surface a considerable number. of
women are employed sorting the coal.
these numbering in 1903 nearly 5000. S
Dia Districts Affected.