Rock Island Argus., 1913-01-25
FOREIGN NEWS NOTES

London, Jan. 25.-England started
the New Year with a 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 il, and 1912
broke all records. Despite 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 district that are
creating the greatest uneasiness. The
coal miners of Wales, who were the
hardest fighters in the last coal strike,
are again restless, being dissatisfied
with the award of the commissioner
appointed under the act passed by par
lament to end the last strike, fixing
the minimum wage. A general confer
ence is to be held to deal with the mat
ter. 1t is certain that the owners will
fight against any increase in the cost
of production, as they have already lost
to America contracts for the Italian
government and Egyptian state rail
ways because of the high price at
which they made tenders.
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 in
creased as the contract price of coal
( is raised AS this price has gone up
the miners. in the north of England
at any rate, would probably be against
another contest with the owners.
Another serious trouble threatened
is that arising from the agitation ot
J the seamen and firemen for a systema
tizatiOn OF the rates of wages and con
ditions OF service on board ship. The
men under the leadership of Havelocl
Wilson have been agitating for this
for years. They have asked time ant
time again that a conciliation board b,
appointed by the owners and unions L
standardiZe the wages and conditions
but the bulk OF the owners have re
fused. In the hope of winning thei
point the men went on strike in 1871
and demanded a big increase IN wages
The big companies granted the wages
and the smaller firms got their mel
back at the old wages and conditions
II is for these latter that the uniol
is now fighting.
Mr.. Wilson has announced tha
when the union had exhausted al
means Of diplomacy the executiv
would fix q date when the seamel
would take q vacation" In ou
union" he explained. the word strike
is a very vulgar and nasty word t
I use"
More trouble too Is brewing in tn
cotton trade. The Operative Cotto
Spinners have given notice of witt
drawal from the Brooklands agre'
! ment. which has been In operatio
for some years, and which covered a.
disputes in the cotton spinning trad
controlled by the Employers Federi
ton. The action Of the spinners wa
determined by the alleged ineffective
ness Of the agreement in dealing wit
complaints Of bad material. whic
have been a continual source Of al
noyance to the owners and operatives
and which have increased enormousl
( recently. The card room workers a
so have grievances against the agre,
ment, and they too have given tn
necessary months notice Of Withdraw
al
The London bakers are also prepa
ing for a struggle for better wages an
shorter hours. III some parts of Lol