New-York tribune., 1912-02-21
TO AVERT COAL STRIKE
Premier AsquIth will Meet Own.
erS and Men Tomorrow.

London, Feb The government to.nist,
interviewed in the coal dispute which threat.
ems to cause "A stoppage Of work In the
mines throughout the United Kingdom. IN.
volving not less than 10000 miners.
After the subject had been discussed 4,
Cabinet meeting Premier Asquith al.
dressed letter 10 the representatives Of
the coal owners and miners, requesting
them TO meet him and some Of his coE-
leagues at the Foreign Office on Thursday
next in order TO endoavor 10 arrange
basis of settlement lie added that the
Industrial Council had advised the conven.
ing Of such a meeting.
The Premier stated that the government
hoped that a means would be found by
direct negotiation between the parties con.
cerned to avert the disaster Of a national
stoppage. but the prospects that that would
be achieved before the miners notices OF
cessation of work expired on March were
so small that the government felt COM
PEELED to intervene. He added
There is no need for me 10 enlarge upon
the very serious consequences. both 70 fh4
industries of the country and TO all classes
OF coal consumers, which would inevitably
follow an extensive stoppage OF the coal
trade. If prolonged it would involve a
general stoppage of industry and his mai
esty's government feels that II could not
allow such "A calamity TO ensue without
making every endeavor TO aid in prevents
ing II.
Premier Asquith's tion followed upon
complete failure OF the negotiations coz
Quoted by the English Cancellation Board
which has been sitting in Westminster
for several days. These negotiations
reached the stage where the owners
agreed to the principle of minimum
wage, but upon conditions which the
miners declined to accept. The uneom-
promising attitude of the miners is partly
attributable TO the fact that the IntetDa.
tional Miners will meet tomorrow 4lsfl
on announcement of this failure che
Cabinet held a second prolonged council
with the result that the Premier has in.
vited the disputants to confer with the
ministers. Hopes are now centred upon
the proved ability OF Sir George r. Ask
with, the Board of Trade representative,
in arranging labor difficulties, but both
sides are in an angry mood under the be-
lief that the dispute must now be fought
out once for all.
the Cancellation Board issued a statement
tonight embodying the conditions uader
which they are willing to concede a min
imun wage. The statement is long al
technical document, the most important
item of which is the requirement OF a
guarantee from the miners of a minimum
output.
Among the many solutions Of the Diff
Guilty suggested is the interesting one that
the minimum wage should be tried expert
mentally for three months in order TO test
its practicability, the government undertake
ing 10 guarantee the coal owners agains'
loss thereby.
While the English owners are not averse
10 the principle OF minimum wage, the
Welsh owners are irreconcilable, hut II IS
stated that Mr.. Lloyd George. the Chaneel'
lor of the Exchequer, is trying to win the
Welshmen 10 some compromise.
The Admiralty has chartered two steam
ers. the Teespool and the Bleamoor' 70
hiring American coal TO England.