Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-16
Labor Leaders, However,
Think Welsh Pits Will Be
Running Monday.
ADMIRALTY SEXES ALL
SURPLUS FUEL SUPPLY
Munitions Tribunal Appointed to
Force Resumption at Collieries.
Statement of Strikers.

)
are showing an unbroken front, in
conformity with the resolution
adopted at the meeting Of dele
gates at Cardiff yesterday, when
it was decided to reject the recon-
mendation of the executive COM
mittee that the men return to
work. Even the men in one dis
trict who last night decided to re-
sumo reversed their decision, and
not a pick is moving.
An Improvement in the situation.
however. is expected as a result of mass
meetings in the various districts today
and the conferences of Walter Runci-
man, the president of the board of
trade, with representatives of the
miners and pit owners
Expect Resumption Monday.
The mems leaders, who throughout
have opposed the strike, are inclined to
the view that a resumption of work
may be expected Monday. and the gov
ernment's prompt action in setting up
a general munitions tribunal for Wales
and Monmouthshire is thought likely to
help to bring about settlement
Should the Runciman conferences to-
day not turn out favorably, David
Lloyd George, the minister of NUM-
tions, possibly will visit the perturbed
district. His influence with the men in
previous disputes has been very effec-
tive. In the meantime perfect peace
reigns In the coal fields.
The men of the Welsh colleries are
nd 10 ind 4.
cation that an early settlement will be
reached.
Official Statement.
An official announcement says:
The minister of munitions has ap-
pointed general munitions tribunal
for Wales and Monmouthshire as fol-
lows: Chairman. Robert Wallace, kings
counsel and assessors. Sir Griffith
Thomas. representative Of the employ
r ers. and Councillor Griffths. represen-
tative of the work people"
The British admiralty has taken over
all the reserve supplies of coal.
Nearly All Out.
With the exception Of two small col
lieries. in the Rhondda district. en-
ploying about 500 men. all the coal
mines in South Wales, from which
comes the coal for the navy. are idle.
and the miners. despite the action of
the government in bringing the in
dustry under the munitions of war
act. and the entreaties of the respon-
sible labor leaders and their own ex-
ecutive council, decided by vote of
$50 to 113 not to accept the recon-
mendations to continue work day by
day until an arrangement could be
concluded.
he dol ~fr I'll
represented $3.50 men, and those
against the strike 4I5oO Thus, al
though opinion is divided. the ex-
tremists are in the large majority.
General business on the Cardiff coal
exchange has ceased, owing to the gov
ernment requisition for the admiralty
of all available coal supplies, while
shipping and the railways which de-
pend on the mines also are at a stand
still There is general impression
however. that the strike will not last
long. but that the men, after a short
holiday. perhaps over the week end,
viii return to work.
Labor Leaders Opposed.
All the responsible labor leaders of
the country are opposed to the strike,
and while IT is hard to see how the
government can enforce the penalties
of the munitions act. it is believed
the men will be Influenced by the fact
that they are opposing an act which
was passed for the safety of the
country.
The strike wa. forced by the men of
'he Aberdare valley, who are strong
syndicaiists and who have declared
THAT the present was a good time to
force the government to take over the
mines. This policy has been advocated
by the independent labor party, which
is more extreme than the regular labor
party, ard one of the leaders of which
t4 J Ketr Hardie. whose parliamentary
constituency includes the Aberdale
valley.
Asked IN the hous. Of commons what
steps, II any, had been taken to sup
rre-S the organs OF the independent
that the question Of increasing the
power conferred by the defense Of the
realm act was being considered.
Miners Issue Statement.
Representatives Of South Wales coal
rctners who are now on strike have
prepared the following statement of
The position assumed by the men who
have duit work:
The miners are no longer working
under an agreement and have lost
their minimum rate of wages The
owners have offered them q new agree
mont for the duration of the war. but
the miners know the admiralty will
teer on hand ample stocks Of coal as
long as the war lasts and they fear
that when the war is ended the ad
miralty viii sell the surplus. thus
bringing down the market price. The
miners wages vary with the selling
price of coal. and IL the price shows
u tendency TO fail they may he bereft
of the benefit Of an agreement"
The suggestion has been made that
this fear Son the part of the miners
may be overcome by Offering an agree
ment whose terms would extend to a
period six months after the end OF
hostilities. with the provision that three
months notice must be given by either
side " change is desired This IL
one of the proposals which proba bl '
will be made today to Walter Runci-
man. president of the board of trade
Germany Controls Coal Industry.
German newspapers reaching here
publish details of the governments
scheme to control the coal industr,
in Germany. proclamation empower,
the state authorities to bring the
owners Of coal fields together by COM
puIsion IN associations. which will con.