New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-31
london DOCK STRIKE
MAY SOON Be ENDED
Abundance of Volunteer Labor
and Absence of Strike Pay Tell
Against Movement.
chip OWNERS UNYlELDlNG
canitalists Refuse to Sign Away
Their Liberty to Employ
Non Union Men if
They Choose.

,Ao io;nt conference tomorrow, whereby
clement of the dock strike, is foredoomed
- failure. The master carmen, the mas
fer rghtermen. public wharfngers and
barge owners have Joined with the other
.ssociations of the employers in dcclin-
ing the governments invitation to ccnd
representatives to take part in the con-
ference which will be held at the Board
Of Trade.
In each case abstentiOn is justified or
the ground that the employers must 'e-
tain their liberty TO employ either union
or non-union labor as they choose, and
co long as the mems leaders insist that
no settlement can be accepted which
does not restrict the employers to union
labor the negotiations will he futile.
That the government is still planning
, 10 bring about a settlement is shown by
the fact that representatives of the Port
Of London employers attended private
meeting this afternoon by invitation of
LLOYD George Presdes.
David Lloyd-George. Chancellor of the
Txchequer. presided, and the other min
listers present were sydney Buxton.
president Of the Board Of Trade; John
Rurns. president of the Local Govern
ment Board; Reginald MCKenna, Home
Gir f
tornev General. Another meeting has
been arranged for Monday next.
II is regarded as not unlikely, in spite
nj the deadlock which seems to exist II
present. that the strike may come 10 4
speedv end. In the first place, consider
able volunteer labor is available. and al
though the tie-up TO shipping. especially
tho large number of grain ships. is
serious factor. London is amply supplied
with provisions. and prices are becoming
normal
In the second place the strikers are re-
ceivins no strike pay, and the men arc
far from unanimous in support Of their
strike leader Third. the government IS
using great pressure to bring about re-
sumption of work. and It is reported that
the ministers have undertaken, II work
is resumed 10 put forward definite meas
ures to stop these periodic tie-ups in tho
Fort Of London.
They propose to establish joint board
~ arbitration with powers over all
parties working in the port. " the ship
owners refuse to recognize the board
they will get Parliamentary powers 20
compel them 10 recognize it. IN any
case tho situation is becoming inpos-
sihle The Shipping Federation has now
denounced tho agreements signed after
the last great strike. on the ground that
the men in quitting work without notice
sbsolved the shipowners from response
bility.
Among the steamers held up in the
Thames is the Minnewaska, which will
be unable to sail for New York on Satur-
day.
The strike committee of the lockers
has decided TO ascertain without further
delay how far it can depend on support
. from the transport workers outside Of
. London At a meeting held this after
noon the committee passed resolution
requesting the national executive coun-
oil of the Transport Workers Federation
TO meet at once for the purpose of call
ing for national support in our fight for
the principles OF trades uniOnism."
To Confine Area Of Strike.
The executive committee of the Sailors
and Firemens Union. which Is the
strongest body in the National Transport
Workers Federation Ohe organization
which would declare such a strikel. has
decided. however, against an extension
of the strike beyond London. Notices
We're sent out by this body that there
would he no stoppage outside Of London
unless the order were signed by the Sec
rotary Of the Sailors and Firemen S
Union.
This appears TO indicate that a split
has arisen in the ranks of the Transport
Workers Federation, which engineered
the big strike Of last year and aimed at
combining all the trades unions Of The
United Kingdom.
Many more non-uniOnsts went 10 work
TO-DAY. which is likely 10 lead TO some
trouble, as nothing is more likely Il
arouse the anger Of the strikers than the
appearance on the scene Of "blackleg'
workers. a few trade uniOnists also re-
sumed work at the docks and at the
Coycnt Garden vegetable market.
Berlin. May 3O.--The General Council OF
tho International Transport Workers Fed
grafton. whose headquarters are in Berlin
is preparing to act on the appeal Of tho
British lockers to proclaim a worldwide
hoycOtt Of British shipping.
hermann Jochade. the president Of IN"
council. announces that cable vote Of the
heads Of the transport workers organiza-
tons Of the nineteen countries affiliated
with the international organization, includ-
ing the United States and Canada, will be
taken on the question Of the advisablity OF
declaring an international boycott as soon
rs the fun report has been received here
from London.
The General Council Of the international
Transport Workers Federation at present
consists OF five Germans. as a result OF ar
arrangement for SYSTEM Of ro;atory eX
'cutive authority and the establishment OF
the headquarters Of the federation in turn
among the various nations affiliated with it,
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