Evening star., 1915-06-24
Trade Unions Have Seven
Days in Which to Furnish
Adequate Supply of Labor.
CONFUSION TO FOLLOW.
Mr.. LLOYD GEORGE SAYS
Provisions of Measure Introduced in
Commons Gives Government
Unlimited Powers


George. the minister of munitions. has
given British labor seven days IN which
to make good the promise of it's lead
ers that men will rally to the factories
in sufficient numbers to produce a maxi
mum supply of munitions of war.
This was the most striking statement
in the new minister's speech in the
house of commons yesterday In the
course of outlining the munitions meas
ure which is designed TO control not
only the output. but the men respon-
sible for the output.
Il had fresh discussion with the
trades union leaders," said Mr.. Lloyd
George in his speech. and told them if
an adequate supply of labor could not
be secured compulsion was inevitable.
The union representatives answered:
Give US chance to supply the men
needed in seven days; if we cannot get
them we will admit that our case is
considerably weakened
The seven days will begin tomor-
row." continued Mr.. Lloyd George. and
advertisements will appear in all the
papers. The union representatives
have engaged $50 town halls as re
O11CeS ana the dSslstdHSe oI
every one has been invited"
Provisions Of the Bill.
The munitions bill makes strikes and
lockouts Illegal, provides for compul-
sorry arbitration, Furnishes 'slackers,"
limits the profits of employers. creates
a voluntary army of worllmen pledged
to go wherever they are wanted, and
contains other provisions which will
give the minister full powers to carry
out the plans he has devised to develop
the production of munitions.
After emphasizing the absolute neces-
sity Of vast supplies of guns and am
munition. which he described as the
great essential of victory, the minis
ter announced that he had sent David
Alfred Thomas, managing director of
great colliery companies in South
Wales, and known as the British coal
king" to represent the munitions de-
partment In the United States and
Canada. Respecting this appointment
the minister said:
I'm consequence of the great i'm
portance of the American and Canadian
markets and the numerous officers to
provide munitions. it is very desirable
that we have some one over there. Ac-
cordingly we have sent a very able
business man, DR.. D. A. Thomas. who
will be given the fullest responsible
ties for the discharge Of his important
duties. There is not the slightest idea
of superseding our existing agencies.
They have worked admirably and have
saved US many millions. Mr.. Thomas
will cooperate with the Messrs. Nor
gan with a view to expediting sup
plies"
Thought Peace Had Come.
Speaking Of German preparation, the
minister said
Germany has been piling up material
Until she was ready she was friendly with
everybody During the Balkan crisis none
could have been more modest or unpre-
tentious She had benevolent smile for
France She walked arm in arm with
Great Britain through the chancellerfes
of Europe
I'VE really thought an era of peace and
good will had come. At that moment she
was forging and hiding away enormous
war stores to attack her neighbors una
wares and murder them in their sleep.
"If that trickery is to succeed all the
bases Of international good will will
crumble to dust 1t is essential for the
peace of the world that 1t should fall.
and it is up to US to see that it does So
1t depends more upon Great Britain than
on any one else to see that 1T fails.
with regard to the supply of material.
it may be necessary to take complete con-
troll of the metal market in order to be
sure that valuable material Is not wasted
in non-essentials. In the meanwhile the
department is procuring full information
regarding stocks of raw and semi-manu-
factured metal
Mr. Lloyd George admitted that the
shortage of munitions was serious, in
view of the standard set UP by this war
This fact, he continued. was doubtless as
well known to Germany as 1t was in
England.
The minister, in winding up the debate,
said he would hold himself responsible
for the supply of ammunition at the front
and would make himself thoroughly ac-
quainted with what was going on there
The bill passed its first reading: it will
receive its second reading Monday.
Offers Quantities Of Shells.
Sir Richard Ashmole Cooper. a mem
Der Of a large chemical manufacturing
concern, who previously had frequent
ly complained that the British war
Office, by refusing to deal with respon-
sible agents. had neglected to obtain
large available supplies of munitions.
made the specific declaration that he
was in a position to offer the govern
ment 100000 shells made in England; !;
100000 shells made in Canada and
100000 shells made in the United
States. Sir Richard also said he had
1.000.000.0O0 rifle cartridges and 2,0o0.-
900 rifles for delivery, beginning with
October. and added:
IF this offer is not accepted. I want
to know the reason why
Mr.. Lloyd George, replying to Sir
Richard, said the war Office had asked
Sir Richard to give 1t the names Of the
firms which were prepared to supply
such large quantities of munitions. The
result of this, the minister added, was
the receipt of the name of one Arm,
which on inquiry was found to be en-
gagged in lithographing printing
Mr.. Lloyd George deprecated what he
termed all the wild and irresponsible
talk of there being plenty of shells
available.
He said he was securing the country