New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-14
Government Tells Miners
Right to Strike Is Virtu-
ally Suspended.
WELSHMEN STILL
THREATEN DEFIANCE
Nays Supply of COmbustible
Depends on Continuance
Of Work.

London, July 13.-lt was announced
to-day in the House Of Commons that
in view Of the failure of the South
Wales coal owners and miners to reach
an agreement the government had de-
cided to apply to the mining industry
the munitions Of war act. This makes
it an offence to take part in a strike
or lockout unless the differences have
been reported to the Board of Trade
and the board has referred the matter
for settlement by one Of the methods
prescribed by the act.
Walter Runciman, president of the
Board of Trade, was cheered by virtu-
ally the whole House on making this
announcement.
very serious view is taken of the
refusal of the miners to accept n com
promise for, even in the face Of the
decision Of the government they are
threatening defiance. Most of the Goa
for the navy comes from South Wales
and even before the trouble arose the
supply was affected by the enlistment
in the army Of $4,000 Of the younger
miners, which eventually made it nee
essary for the government to stop re-
cruiting in the mining district OF
Wales
Wage Increase Demanded.
The crisis first threatened three
months ago, when the miners gave no
tice TO terminate existing agreements
on July /. In lieu of these they pro-
posed a national programme giving an
all around increase in wages. The
owners objected to the consideration OF
the new terms during the war and
asked the miners to accept the existing
agreements plus war bonus.
After a series of conferences the Off.
Gals of the union agreed to recommend
a compromise, which was arranged
through the Board of Trade. The
miners, however, voted yesterday
against this, and the government was
obliged to take action.
The miners assert that their de
mands would mean no more than six
pence ~ cents a ton, and argue tina
as the owners are receiving much more
for their coal than previously thel
could well pay it. As matter Of fact
Mr. Runciman also introduced a bill II
the House to-day to regulate the price
of coal.
Heavy Hand on Miners.
The coal miners union is thus th'
first to feel the potent power OF TN
government created by the new mum
tions measure. The mems leaders pro
tested before the passage OF the Dli
that the miners should not be include
in those subject to compulsory aroi
tration. and developments are awaite'
with the keerest interest, as more tnal
$4,000 miners are involved.
Mr.. Runciman explained that the ef
feet of the governments action was q
make strike or lockout heavll.
Enable offence unless the difference
were referred to the BOARD OF rau
for settlement by some method pro
vided By the munitions act.
The executive committee Of tn
Miners Federation of Great Britain
to-day decided to appeal to the Souti
+ Wales miners to continue working unit
satisfactory settlement was reached
The committee also decided to rec
/ ommend TO all county associations tina
Joint machinery should be set up be
tween the owners and the workmen TO
/ settlement of all disputes that mlgh
arise in the industry.
A Cardiff dispatch says that tn
/ Welsh colliery engineers and stoker
/ have pledged themselves not to cess
work in cast of stoppage pendlni
/ further negotiations.
The coal situation was further com
plicated to-day by the application o
/ 10000 Scottish miners for an advanc
/ in wages Of 25 per cent.