The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-27
WAGE BILL PASSES THE THIRD READING
Government Has Failed to Stop the Strike
DISAPPOINTS ASQUITH
Inability to Agree Again Marks the Meeting of Coal Miners and Owners at Cleyeland-No
 Change in Situation


 London, March 27.-A fateful day in the history of British trade struggles came to close early thrs morning With the passage through parliament by large majority of the bill establishing in legislation the principle of mini mum wage in the country's most im- portant industry.
 The minimum wage bill passed its third reading in the house of commons I by vote of 213 to 4s amid a scene of ,great excitement The house of lords reassembled at 2:50 o'clock to rece,ve the bill and on motion of Lord Herschel it passed its first reading.
 l Premier Asquith on ieaving the house of commons was loudly cheered by all the members.
 l After a strike lasting nearly month and involving the whole coal country in untold distress, the miners have thus obtained recognition of the principle they set out to obtain. But they are still dissatisfied because the bill does not specify the amount of the minimum wage. There is no prospect therefore of any immediate settlement of the strike. | termination to keep up the strike until they have guarantees of a minimum wage of shillings 4l2O for men, or until the district boards as provided by the bill. arrange acceptable terms, London. March 26.-Premier Asquith in the House of Commons today announced that the government had failed to termi nate the coal strike. We have done our best he said, with thoroughness and 1 impartiaity, and 1t Is with profound disappointment that have to confess to the House that all our labors have been unavailng.'
 l In a final appeal to the disputants, the prime minister said:
 "1f at this 59th minute of the 11th hour the parties cannor come to a reasonable arrangement in a matter of relatively small proportions they will have a very serious account to render to the country. The government has done all It can"
 The premier added that the government could not consent to the insertion of any figures in the minimum wage blll but at the same time he was sorry that an agreement had not been reached be- tween the employers and the men, MT Asquith, who was obviously laboring un- der tense emotion at the tailure of his efforts, closed his brief remarks inaudi- bly.
 | Asquith Affected | That Premier Asquiths handling of the crisis is far from meeting the unanimous approval of his own party was evidenced | by the division lists on the amendment moved by William Brace, the miner mem Der, that the minimum daiI. rates of five shllings for men and( ewo shillings for. boys be incorporated in the bill which was defeated s26 to S3 4The minor l ity which voted against the government comprised 45 liberals and the labor party. THe nationalsts abstained from voting and the unionists voted with the govern ment
 Has Asquith Made Mistake? large section of the liberals and 1t | is even rumored some members of the | government feel that MT. Asquith has made a mistake in refusing to permit the insertion of any minimum figures in the bill. as it was almost certain that the admission of the five and two shilings t At the same time very general sympathy is. felt for the premier. who appeared quite crushed by the failure of his ef- forts to secure settlement.
 After the rejection of the Brace amend ment the laborites met and resolved to vote against the passage of the. bill on | it's third reading as protest against the 1 governments action. At present the l commons is still dealing with the report | stage Of the measure, having carried the government amendment moved by the Right Hon. Sidney Buxton, president of the board of trade, ordering the district boards to take into consideration the av- l craze daily rate of wages in fixing the minimum rates.
 Next Step Doubtful l What will follow the adoption of the | bill 1t is impossible to predict There is | a general belief that the coal owners will 1 announce their readiness to reopen the proceedings and will loyally accept the declsion of the district boards. Whether 1 there will be any general resumption of work by the miners is exceedingly doubt ! full Their leaders strongly resent the at titude of tie government and will en- 1 deaxor to persuade the miners to proong the struggle. They argue that the min | CTS hold strong position. as during the coming week the pinch of inconvenience | and discomfort to the general public will be worse than ever.
 Talk cf Railway Strike
 Extremists talk of calling strike of the 1 railway and transport workers to assist | the miners. The more moderate minded urge the taking of ballot of the men on the next step. Although the men are com 1 ing to the end of their rezources strong feeling prevails among them. Frank Hall, one of the miner leaders. ] speaking at d meeting at Ripley tonight, l said the issues had so narrowed that 1 practically nothing was left to quarrel l about, but the owners were bent on smashing the miners federation, and hence would not agree to anything | Work was resumed at various pits in ] Scotland today, and it is believed if the government would grant protection to men willing to work there soon would be 1 a resumption in Scotland on a large scale. | Trihng outbreaks are reported at va l rous points. but the strike continues to l be characterized by a remarkable ap- 1 sence of serious disorders.
 The house of lords resssembled at 20 l o'clock Wednesday morning to receive the ---~
 (CONTINuED ON rAGE lz)