The sun., 1912-06-01
FINISH FIGHT N LONDON.
joint Conference TO Settle strike
Proves Fissle.
sp.e,o, case DespascA to rns svx.

joint Conference 10 Settlo Utflke
Proves Fissle.
Special Cobie Despatch to TRs sur
LONDON. May si.-Unless the Govern
ment can put through legislation ac-
ceptable to both sides. the general strike
Of transport workers will 60 on to a finch
The joint conference arranged for to-day
by the Board of Trade. at which it had
heen hoped that settlement could he
reached. proved fiz.le. None OF the big
employers attended the meeting. although
they had agreed to do so.
Leaders OF the Transport Workers
Union who we're on hand held a brief
consultation with Sidney Buxton. rresi-
dent of the Board Of Trade. after which
all hands proceeded TO the Home ONCE.
where Premier Asquith Lloyd George
and members of the Cabinet discussed
the situation behind closed doors.
The Employers Asso citation at a meet
ing held last night agreed to carry on
the fight to the end. They declared that
the union was short Of funds and that be-
cause of the tie up occasioned by the re-
cent coal strike the ma jority OF the labor
unions of the country were opposed to
strikes at the present time and would
refuse to contribute to a defence fund.
The officers of the Employers Association
declare that now is the time to break the
Transport Workers Union for all time.
The announcement of this attitude has
caused bitter feeling against the en-
ployers by the union men. who have
heretofore opposed disorder and kept
their members in line. and il is feared that
roting will result il tho employers keep
strike breakers at work.
The police guards at the various docks
were increased to day in anticipation OF
trouble.
The Government. as a means Of end
ing the strike. suggested the creation
Of a Joint ConCiliation board for the port
Of London. Delegate Gosling promised
that the union council would consider
the suggestion and inform the Cabinet
on Tuesday whether II would accept.
Meanwhile the strike will continue in
force.
In view of the resolut ion Of the railway
men 3 union TO keep aloof from the trans
port workers strike it is regarded "a
strange that a meeting Of 5000 Of the
Great Eastern Railway EMPLOYEES should
have heartily approved the strike of the
longshoremen The resolution also de-
manded that the railway mems union
should Immediately be affiliated with the
Transport Workers Federation.
The strike breakers who were unloading
the steamer kagu Maru at the Victoria
and Albert Docks struck for double pay.
Their demand was granted and they re-
suned work.
There are many emphatic assertions that
the strike is tending toward collapse
through the dissatisfaction Of the workers.
many Of whom are represented "a having
obeyed the order to strike with reluctance
and are becoming continually more dis
gr,intled. 1t ia said that the strike is
daily adding TO the trouble Of the leaders
not only with the employers but with the
men. the majority Of whom are not re-
ceiving strike pay.
The Dockers Union. Of which Ben
Tellett is secretary. Is reported to have
been refused strike pay this week on the
ground Of the pressure OF business on the
executive committee having interfered
with this arrangement.
The success Of the strike is further
threatened. owing to the lukewarm feel
ing of the seamen and the car men. many
Of whom refuse to strike.
The ship owners say they have 1000
dockers at work to-day and could get
more if protection were assured by the
Government
Five big ship owners. including the
Atlantic Transport Line. are offering
a minimum wage Of $40 week for all
competent men who will deal direct with
them. rega rdless Of any union question.
The employers met privately tonight
To consider the question of joining In
the Government, proposed concilia, ion
board. They decided to inform the Gov
crnment that on Monday they would he
willing 10 Join the hoard in purely
consultative character. They do not
agree that the board has any Compulsa-
tory powers over its constituent associa-
tons.