Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-03-15
COAL STRIKE GROWS
LABOR TROUBLE MAY BECOME
WORLD WIDE - ENGLAND,
FRANCE, GERMANY HIT.
WAR APPEARING IN AMERICA
Sailing of Vessels canceied--General
WaIkout Would Make NaVies Of
Countries Named Practically Use
less-Mlners of Belgium Involved.


London.-That the world is facing
the most gigantic labor upheaval of
history is shown by the 100000 coal
miners on strike in England; sim
liar number of Englishmen out OF
employment because of lack of fuel;
175,000 miners walking out OF the
German mines, to be followed in all
probability by a similar number be-
fore the end Of the week: all French
miners out for one day as warming
to both government and people that
tdey are dissatisfied with conditions,
and a strike impending in both an
thracite and bituminous mines in the
United States.
There is increased uneasiness In
London over the tie-up of the coal sup
ply of both Great Britain and Ger
many, but ray of hope of a settle
ment. at least so far as England is
concerned, broke the gloom when the
miners agreed to accept the govern
ment's proposal for joint conference,
stipulating that the principle of a mini
mum wage be excluded.
Meanwhile the completed paralysis
Of many branches of industry contin-
ues, while very few trades have es-
capped being hampered in their opera
ton. TIE price of coal is soaring in
both England and Germany and prices
Of foodstuffs are rising rapidly. Riot
ing and footing are holding sway in
both countries, with unappeased hun
ger Running amuck.
The trouble already has resulted in
a lisarrangement of the sailing sched-
ufes of many Atlantic liners. The sail
ings of the steamers st. Paul and
Oceanic, set for March % and u re-
spectively. were cancelled because OF
the inability to get coal Several sail
ings to Baltimore were cancelled. The
giant Olympic. which was already
coaled, viii sail as scheduled March
ID. The American liners Philadelphia
and New York. which sail from New
York on March 10 and 20 respectively.
will not sail from Southampton as
scheduled unless there is a quicker
adjustment of the mine troubles than
the steamship officials expect.
In France the French miners had
their 24-hour strike as an object les
ron The leaders of the organization
of miners wished to demonstrate to
the public, to their employers and to
the government that the demands
were just and that they We're ready to
enforce them by strike If necessary.
They particularly object to the old
age system of pensions. The demands
include an eight-hour work day. pen
sion of two francs day for all work
ers over fifty years old, and mini
mum wage scale similar to that de-
manded by the British miners. The
demonstration was made because 1t
was felt that it would be more effect
i've with the English and German
strikes in progress. If the employers
do not grant the demands a general
strike of all French miners is probable
within ten days or two weeks.
in Germany, with the strike only In
augurated, the price of coal advanced
materially. The strike leaders say
that they win be able to tie up the
German industries as effectually as
the British miners have done
: A general strike in the three coun-
tries would have an appalling effect
on Europe. although it is hoped that
conditions in England viii show a bet
terment inside of week as result
of the turn of affairs Should the gen
eral strike occur. the navies of the
three great powers would be rendered
practically useless and millions of
workers. in addition to the strikers,
would be thrown out of employment.
1t is believed here that the miners
of Belgium will refuse to work If
general strike is declared in France.
There also is some disaffection among
the workers in southern Europe, and
the labor war may spread there. the
leaders say. In fact the qualifications
of the trouble seem without end,
should the movement be given full
sway in the four great countries
Great Britain. Germany. France and
the United States