New-York tribune., 1918-08-31
zoo Square Miles Is Left
Unprotected as Boobies"
Quit Their Posts
Action Follows Long
Demand for Increase
Walkout Is Expected to
Spread to Other Big
Cities of England

LONDON. Aug. 3O-Policc of the
London Metropolitan District, embrac-
ing an area of 700 square miles and a
population of 100000. went on strike
to-day for more pay. The "City," COM
prised within an area of little more
than one square mile. and which has
its own police force, is not yet affected
by the strike
At headquarters of the Police Union
tonight it was asserted that the
strike was extending and that it vir-
tually affected the entire metropolitan
police, who number 22,000. 1t was
added there was every probability that
the strike would be extended to pro-
yincal towns. Reports received from
Manchester and other cities, it was
said, were to the effect that the police
were only awaiting instructions to go
out.
The official press bureau, in a state
ment issued at midnight, says the
police have been told that if they re-
turn to work the government will give
full and sympathetic consideration to
their representations.
The strike came with startling sud
denness to Londoners, although the
agitation for increased pay had been
going on steadily among the police for
more than Il year without results. not
withstanding it generally had the sup
port of the public. One union leader
stated to-day that the present pay Of
London policemen is $3.50 weekly. plus
So war bonus, and the possible addition
of 80 cents weekly after twenty -one
years service. Sergeants receive $3.50
more weekly than patrolmen.
Calls Police Ill Paid
The London police are about the
poorest paid in the world" said this
union leader. eve long ago determined
to remedy that. For year we tried
patiently all the ordinary routine
methods of getting our demands rec
ognlzed. and it was only when all these
efforts failed that we determined on
a strike"
The strike is under the leadership
of the National Union of Police and
Prison Officers. which was formed in
1913 and reorganized last year. 1t is
formally affiliated with the Trades
Council and other labor bodies The
authorities have never recognized the
union and have made efforts to hamper
its development. but the union leaders
have taken great pains to do all their
work so as not to give the authori-
ties an opportunity to suppress them
snd the organization has grown stead
lily during the last two years
The chief effect of the strike to-day
was felt in the traffic centres. All the
big financial houses and banks have
their own private guards while the
big government buildings and impor-
iant official centres either are similar
~ provided or are under military
ratrol. The financial district Of Lon
don IS all within the old city
Volunteers Are Sought
There was an effort to- day to mob
he enough of the semi-civilian special
ccnstables to handle the work Of the
regular police, but this effort did not
succeed very we'll because the specials
generally sympathized with the de-
mands made by the regulars and man
aged to avoid receiving calls to DUTY
While work in the police courts was
not lnterfered with, policemen VIE
were witnesses in pending cases at.
tending, IN many ways the strike gave
decided evidence of how much the
great city depends upon the police
force. even in small things. The
changing of the guards at Buckingham
Palace. routine which has been gone
Vhrough with for years. was inter
lupted. AS the guards marched out
there being no policemen to keen the
route open for them, their ranks were
broken by vehicles of various kinds
The soldiers marched wide apart TO,
time. and then resumed their usua
formation as though nothing had hap
pencd. my
The police warders, who are mem
bers Of the union, remained on dutv
there being no attempt to call then
cut But the drivers Of the "blacl
Warlas Joined the policemen. and cab
had TO be commandeered to conye,
prisoners between the prisons and tn,
NOllcc courts