New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-25
LONDON FEELS THE PINCH
Transport Workers. Strike Sends
Up Price of Provisions.
ALL QUIET AT THE DOCKS
Police and War Office Elaborate
Scheme to Insure Passage
of Food Supplies.

| London, MAY A.-The full effect OF the
! transport workers strike will not be felt
until after the Wht-Monday holiday. AL
! though there was a cessation OF work to-
day by large number Of transport work
ers, n great many of the men are still at
work. with the object of securing a weeks
wages TO be used for holiday purposes on
| Monday
| one effect OF the strike to-day was that
| the price OF -four went up a shilling bar
rel There is a general tendency also TO
raise the prices OF most provisions
The government is taking steps to keep
the situation in hand. Reginald McKenna,
the Home Secretary. visited the docks this
afternoon and afterward had an audience
| Of King George. Later his majesty dis
/ cussed the situation with Sir George r.
! Askwith, chairman OF the Industrial Coun-
! ell whose efforts In settling labor disputes
| have been markedly successful.
! No reliable estimate Is available showing
/ the number OF transport workers who have
actually ceased work in obedience to the
call for strike, but the order TO lay down
tools certainly affects upward of one hun
dred thousand men In Central London
alone.
Everything Is quiet at the docks and in
| the immediate vicinity Picketing is being
carried on by the men In an absolutely
peaceful manner and no disturbances such
as were associated with the strike OF last
| year have been reported
No extra police have yet been placed on
| duty. but police headquarters at Scotland
Yard in conjunction with the War Office
| are possessed of elaborate scheme
which was drawn up after the last strike
to insure the free passage Of food supplies
This will be brought into operation on the
| first sign Of interference by the strikers
| with those DESTROYS OF continuing work.
| The plan includes the protection OF the
markets. of the routes between the docks
and the markets. the railroad stations, the
cold storage works the bakeries and the
gas and electric light works.
All union men engaged at Covent Garden
Market ceased work this morning. and the
supplies OF flowers, fruit and vegetables
will therefore soon be cut off. At the
| smthneld meat market business Is going
on as usual to-day.
The mems leaders attending the
Board of Trade inquiry appointed by sgd
ney Buxton. President Of the Board OF
Trade, to inquire into the causes OF the
strike OF the lightermen.
The grain and flour trade. whose head
quarters are in Mark Lane. has been
brought practically TO a standstill by the
strike. Sellers are unable to guarantee de-
livery. and In the few cases where the grain
and -four can actually be delivered prices
have been put sharply up.
The grain dealers and meat traders have
both applied to the Home Office for ade-
quate protection in order TO assure sup
plies for the public.
Tho bargemen all along the Thames have
given notice OF their intention 10 quit work,
and the vessels are being gradually de-
serted as they reach their anchorages. All
the men on small trading ships have also
been called out.
Several ocean steamers have also been
held up by the strike. among them the At
lantic Transport liner Minneapolis. BY next
week none will be able to sail unless with
out cargo.
The strike leaders nave agreed to issue
permits TO the municipal authorities for
the transport OF coal and for water, light
ing and sanitary purposes, and to allow
the hospitals to procure food and ice.
The Garments Trade Union this evening
issued a general strike notice. The order
TO quit work includes the railroad carmen,
which involves q great extension OF she
movement. II is thought the strike may
spread TO other railroad men.