The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-11
TO MAKE STRIKE
WORLD WIDE
An End to Coal Mining Every
where in Sight.
More Than a Million Men Out
in England.
GERMANS ABOUT TO QUIT
Anthracite Operators in the
United States Will Refuse
The Demands Made by En-
pIOyees for Higher Wages.

New York, March IA world
wide strike of coal miners is regard
ed by the coal trade as more than a
likelihood if the present negotiations
now in progress between the anthra-
cite and bituminous workers and
their employers in this country do
not result in a settlement of working
conditions. With more than a mil
lion miners on strike in Great Britain
and 10000 miners in Germany vot-
ing to quit work to force higher
wages, a severe coal shortage in Eu-
rope is faced.
The anthracite operators are draft
ing their reply to the hard coal work
ers here for presentation to the min
ers Wednesday while next week at
Cleveland the bituminous operators
and their employees will confer for
the purpose of trying to bring about
an adjustment of conditions in the
soft coal fields.
Meanwhile coal is being loaded on
the Atlantic seaboard for South
American and European ports usually
supplied by English firms.
The reply which the committee of
anthracite operators proposed to draft
today refusing the demands for 20
per .ent increase in wages, recognl-
tion of the union and certain condl-
tions of labor, is expected to give in
detail the reasons for the refusal of
the operators to meet the demands.
The operators committee plans to
meet this afternoon to draft the reply
to the miners but the statement is
made that until the reply is made
formally to the men Wednesday its
contents would not be made public
The answer of the operators Will be
of such character as will lead to SUB
mission of modified demands by the
men and a series of further confer
ences Meanwhile consumers are heavy
purchasers in the retail market and
premiums are being paid on coal for
the privilege of stocking up. 1t is sta
ted a months supply of small steam
sizes of anthracite is above ground 1t
different points and that from now un- |
til the end of the month when the pres
ent working agreement with the min
ers expires, the railroad expect to mine
q heavy tonnage.
Factories and Ouarries Close.
London, March 11.-For the rapidly
dwindling stocks of coal on hand in
North Wales. an advance in price OF
from 75 to 100 per cent has been de-
manded today, and this fact has ne !
cessitated the closing of practically 1
every factory and quarry in that part
of the country. In other portions of /
the United Kingdom, conditions are a.
most as bad.
The shipment of coal from the ports |
of South Wales last week amounted !
only to 10000 tons compared with the /
usual total of 400, 900 tons per week
Two of the largest paper mills in tie /
counties ceased work today. /
All their employees were discharged !
From every other point throughout the !
country reports are reaching London /
that work is being stopped.
The pressure of traffic on the street !
cars and omnibuses in London as a re
suit of the restriction of the suburban !
train service has become so great that |
the authorities have given permission /
to people to stand up in the vehicles. !
the rule against which in normal times !
Is rigidly enforced. infraction of it be-
ing severely punished.
Another Million Idle.
The strike shows little sign of settle
ment. Besides the miners, another
million workers. men and women en-
ployed in factories and mills in all
parts of Great Britain, have been
out of employment because of
the impossibility of obtaining fuel to
run the machinery. Prices of pro-
visions and the necessaries of life have
gone up to such an extent that ex-
treme distress exists among the poorer
classes. Railroads have had to restrict