Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-28
English Federation Calls
Ballot After Government
Minimum Wage Bill Goes
Through Parliament.
OWNERS ACCEPT THE
MINIMUM WAGE BILL
This Action Means That the
Mines Will be Reopened
for Men Whenever They
Will Return to Work.

London, March 27-At a full meet
ing of the miners federation today It
was decided to take an immediate bal
lot among the men as to whether they
desired to accept the governments
wage bill and return to work.
The British coal owners after q pro-
longed meeting this afternoon resolv-
ed to accept the minimum wage bill.
This means that all the mines will be
opened to the men as soon as they
desire to return to work.
The government minimum wage
BILL whose object is to put a stop to
the disastrous coal miners strike, will
be the law of the land within twenty
four hours. Thus far, however, the
end of the strike and of the distress
and suffering it is causing to million
miners and 100000 other workers
and their families and dependents
throughout the country is not in sight.
The miners federation met today to
discuss the general situation and to
consider a proposal for submitting to
the miners the question of balloting
whether the minimum wage bill should
be accepted and decided to take such a
ballot. The mine owners also con-
ferred, but the result of their discus
sions has not been made public. ~
The cabinet hopes the miners will
seize the excuse afforded by the en-
actment of the minimum wage bill for
returning to work Even II this hope
should be realized it will be necessary
to take measures to relieve the great
distress and it is understood the gov
ernment already has decided on an
effective method of carrying this out.
The protection Of the miners who re-
sumo work also must be provided for
and it is thought this would necessi-
tate the calling out Of the army re-
serves. ..g La&E &,
It is also likely the government will
establish national wage board with
an independent chairman to consider
and determine on proposals for the in
PRODUCTION of minimum daily rate OF
$1.25 for men and &c cents for boys, on
the understanding that with these two
points settled all the miners will re-
turn to work while negotiations are
for fixed minimum rates for
other grades of workmen.
= Fear Trouble in Wales.
Already troops are in a state of
preparedness in Wales and at any mo-
ment their services may be required to
protect the miners at the Brynkinalle
colliery, who have been working for
several days, and an attempt to inter-
fere with whom was made last night.
Early this morning the miners con-
nected with the collieries Of the sur
rounding districts began to march in a
body toward Brynkinalle and they were
quickly followed by force of police
reserves. .-'s-
Trouble also is feared in Scotland
where many men already have return
ed to the pits and others are anxious
to follow their example. +
v. Hartshorn, the leader Of the
Welch miners says the strike has now
only really begun and that the miners
are not going to work until they have
won.
Minimum Wage Bill Passes.
A fateful day in the history of
British trade struggles came to close
early this morning with the passage
through parliament by large majority
of the bill establishing in legislation
the principle of a minimum wage in
the country's most important industry.
The minimum wage bill passed its
third reading in the house of CON-
mons by a vote of 213:to 48, amid a
scene of great excitement. The house
of lords reassembled at 2:50 o'clock to
receive the bill, and on motion Of Lord
Herschell II passed first reading,
Premier Asquith on leaving the
house of commons was loudly cheered
by all the members.