The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-12
BRITAIN HOLDS STRIKE RECORD
 IN WAR PERIOD
Interesting Figures of Labor Disturbances in Countries
 In Conflict.

new publication, the Monthly Re view, the United States Bureau of La Dor Statistics publishes some inter esting observations on labor strikes in Germany, France and Great Britain since the outbreak of the war. Be- yond the recent colHery strike in Wales, and the Krupp strike in Ger many, the general public is unaware that France has been disturbed by labor troubles at all, or that Germany and Great Britain have suffered any others.
 It ise stated by the Monthly Re- view, however, that in France between January and April of this year no less than 15 strikes and three 1ockouts were brought to the attention of the Minfstere du Travail, and of these four succeeded, five were compromis- ed, and nine failed The chief cause was a demand for increase in wages. One strike, the most serious lasted nearly two months. All the strikes occurred in industries producing war supplies
 In Germany, between August, 1914, and last March, 52 labor disputes arose. involving altogether 1o.218 workmen. Again, the question of wages was the chief cause. But these strikes, the Review adds, were not largely supported by the unions. eonciliation, presumably through the government.
 Great Britain has been the most prolific in labor troubles since the war, according to the Review. Be- tween January and May no less than 286 labor disputes have disturbed the country. Workingmen affected num- bered 1O9,693. Over two-th1rds of these strikes were caused by the de- mand for increase in wages. Eng fish manufacturers have evidently fought trade unionism at times, for # 1p7S Sf StT cd hi c cause. according to the Review. En- gineering and textile trades suffered most severely from strikes.
 Most remarkable of all the facts connected with war labor troubles in England is the aggregate number of days work lost in the several trades affected-762, 300 days.
 The Review, which is a new depart ure in Department of Labor pubIica- tions, will print on the 29th of each month the results of original investi- gations, notices of labor legislation by the states and Congress. and Federal Court decisions affecting labor. A ep %cia1 purpose will be to make avail ale notices and summaries of Arneri- ca and foreign official reports from all labor bureaus, offices. and com nissi Ons.
 Some of the subjects treated in the first number are the coneiliation work of the Department of Labor, 1915,
 
 year, employment over the civilized world, and child labor.
 One of the most interesting topics has to do with war-food prices in bel1igerent countries. It is stated that throughout Europe the first effect of the war was a sharp rise in prices. due to panic and uncertainty, which was followed within a. fortnight by drop, though not to the pre-bellum level. Thereafter, fluctuations in prices have occurred in most food products with a steady upward tendency. But, strange to say. potatoes and meat have shown a uniform low level. Flour, on the other hand, has under gone decided changes. In Russia, where the war shut off exportation to foreign markets, the price actually fell and has remained low ever since. But in Germany and Great Britain, the price of wheatf1our has increased steadily 34 per cent in the former country and B per cent. in the lat ter. It must be borne in mind that aII-important bread. prices almost al- ways follow those of wheat flour. In Vienna the price increased 82 per cent, which caused starvation among the poor of the city and led to the troubles reported last winter.
 England felt the rise in sugar prices most sharply. London imports the entire supply, and the price. resulting from the supply being cut off, rose 70 per cent. Candy is an expensive lux ury in England today.
 The latter country is handicapped considerably in it's treatment of food prices during the war by the govern ment's strict policy of hands-off This policy is not pursued in the case of a dependence, however. In Egypt, a commission was appointed by the home government with power to fix maximum food prices.
 Of course, Germany and Austria both prescribe maximum prices in the case of most foods, particularly of those for which these countries are dependent on others. All the countries of Europe have resorted to this arbi- trary fixing of certain food prices, says the Review, except Great Britain and Sweden.
 But, in another article on the in- crease in retail prices of coal in Great