El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-25
ENGLAND HAS
BIC STRIKE
PROMISE
General Industrial Tieup
Appears Probable During
the Year.
RAILWAY WORKERS
ARE DISSATISFIED

r ONDON, Eng, Jan. 25.-EngIand
started the new year with strike
- of the taxicab drivers, and if the
threats of the labor leaders are only
partially carried out the present year
will prove an even more serious one
industrially than that which preceded
it, and 1912 broke all records. De-
spite this the trade of the country
likewise broke all records.
While the taxi strike causes much
inconvenience in the city, it is the dis
putes in the industrial districts that
are creating the greatest uneasiness
the hardest fighters in the last coal
strike, are again restless, being dis
satisfied with the award of the COM
missioner appointed under the act
passed by parliament to end the last
strike, fixing the minimum wage. A
general conference is to be held TO
deal with the matter. It is certain that
the owners will fight against any in
crease in the cost of production, as
they have already lost to America
contracts for the Italian government
and Egyptian state railways because
Of the high price at which they made
tenders.
Miners Face Problem.
There are, however, two points
against a general strike of the miners.
The last struggle almost exhausted
the funds of the unions, and under an
old agreement the miners wages are
increased as the contract price Of
coal is raised. As this price has gone
up, the miners, in the north of Eng
land, at any rate, would probably be
against another contest with the own
ers.
Another trouble threatened is that
arising from the agitation of the sea-
men. and firemen for a Discrimination
OF the rates OF wages and conditions
Of service on board ship. The men
under the leadership Of HaYelOck VIII
son. have been agitating for this for
years They have asked time and
time again that a Cancellation board
be appointed by the owners and unions
to Standardize the wages and condf-
tions, but the bulk of the owners
have refused. In the hope of winning
their point the men went on strike in
1911 and demanded a big increase in
wages. The big companies granted
their men back at the old wages and
conditions 1t is for these latter that
the union is now fighting.
Mr.. Wilson has announced that when
the union had exhausted all means Of
diplomacy the executive would fix a
date when the seamen would take a
vacation In our union" he ex-
planned, the word strike is a very
vulgar and nasty word to use"
Trouble In Cotton Trade.
More trouble too is brewing in the
cotton trade. The Operative Cotton
Splnuers have given notice OF with
drawal from the BroOklands agree
ment, which has been in operation for
some years, and which covered all dis
putes in the cotton spinning trade con-
trOled by the Employers Federation.
The action of the spinners was de-
termined by the alleged ineffectiveness
of the agreement in dealing with COM
plants of bad material, which have
been continual source of annoyance
to the owners and operatives, and
which have increased enormously re-
Gently. The card room workers also
have grievances against the agree
ment, and they too have given the
necessary months notice Of with
drawal.
The London bakers are also prepar-
ing for a struggle for better wages
and shorter hours In some parts Of
London the condition of the working
bakers is deplorable. They have to
work long hours in poorly ventilated
cellars for the mereSt pittance. They
have organized, and by a large ma
Jority have agreed to go on strike IN
less their demands are granted.
Railway Men Restless.
Throughout the railway world there
is considerable unrest over what the
men call 'victimization." They claim
that any Of their number who are
known TO be active in trade unionism
are quickly gotten ride of by the COM
they cannot readily meet the other
workmen. One big company, however,
has found a way out of having con-
tinual disputes with the men. This
is the London & Northwestern, the
management Of which has appointed
a grievance hearer." This man, who
had proved himself to be a good con-
ciliator, was chosen to keep in touch
with the men and investigate their
grievances. Thus far the company an
noUnces that the experiment has been
great success. but it was pointed
out that this was not a case of Great
ing a post and finding a man for it,
but rather Of a sphere Of activities be-
ing suggested by the personal quail
ties Of a certain man.
UnpleaSantness is also cropping I'd
again along the London docks over the
sloWness with which it is alleged the
Port of London Authority is REIN
stating those men who went on strike
last year Men were brought from
the outside to fill their places. and
the docks are as busy as
ever work cannot be found for all The
result is that many of the old men
have found themselves without en-
ployment during the winter. and the |
distress in the dock districts mas
been more serious than ever before.