The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-19
PROSPECTS GOOD
 FOR SETTLEMENT Minimum Wage Bill of Gov ernment Is Satisfactory THE MEN ARE FIRING Pending the Introduction of the Bill No Developments in the Sit
 uation-Few Minor
 Disorders
THE MEN ARE FIRING

l. London, March 1S.--The prospect that the coal strike will come to an end within week is improving. It is learn ed that the government bill is a meas ure providing for the settlement of this particular strike and does not lay down the law with regard to future strikes. In view of the fact that all parties have been consulted in regard to the bill il Is reasonable to believe that II will pass through the various stages In schedule time. D. A. Thom- as, in behalf of the Welsh coal own CTS, definitely announces that they will bow to the law. The attitude of the Scotch owners still Is doubtful but they probably will come into the circle.
 Offer Bill Soon
 The prime minister announced in the house of commons today that the government would endeavor to enact a minimum wage bill into d law by the end of the week. 1t was learned tonight on good authority that the bill Will be short measure, leaving to the district committees not only the naming the amount of a minimum wage but the question of the employees safeguards. No provision will be made for compulsory power to enforce the minimum or pen alties on either employers or the men for breaking a contract.
 The labor party tonight adopted res | olution not to oppose the bill and the | natlonalists' whip issued an urgent re- quest for the attendance of the Red l mondltes to support the measure.
 No Developments
  there is little to record in the strike situa- tion The price of coal had smart advance on the London market today. There is constantly accomplishing evi- dence that the 0Nlndling coal reserves will soon bring to halt many public and private services unless settlement Is reached.
 Some minor disorders have occurred in Lanarkshire and Lancashire. At Middies- boro the dockers refused today to un- 1 load cargo of German coal, but taken altogether the strike presents d remark l able absence of disorders.
 Many of the British miners on strike | will return 10 the pits this week, ac- cording 10 the opinion expressed in some quarters, where it is believed that within a week operations will be in full swing | at the coleries in many parts of the 
 The leaders Of the men have informed the government that there will be no re- of work until the minimum wages bill for underground workers has passed sthrough parliament.
 Men Are Firing
 There are indications that the miners are tiring of the strike, particularly in those districts where tho proongation Of the contests has made necessary q re- duction in the amount of the strike pay 1rawn from the miners unions.
 Besides this, there is much pressure being brought to bear on the miners by other trades unionists who have been forced out of work by the shortage of coal Most of the trade unionists' funds ast week, including the miners. amount d to H,500,000, and soon went into distri- oution. Some members were not paid. The trade unionists' funds are largely in- 7etsed in bonds. These have been affect sd by the strike resulting in deprecia- ion. Further curtaiment of the railroad passenger service continues. still more factories have been obliged to close.
 There is some talk today of general 'trike throughout the country during the month of May. This may be due to the act that series of trade union move nents will be begun then. This possibly nay lead 10 widespread stoppages m ome industries.
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