Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-31
THOUSANDS or LONDON
POLICEMEN ON Strike
Fifteen Hundred Striking Boobies"
March Past Scotland Yard,
Headed by Bagpipc Ban;i.
STRIKERS WILL MEET SHUTS
Practically Entire Force Out De.
manding More Wages and RccoS-
n.tion OF Uniun-Spccial Con-
stables Serving.

LONDON. August 3o.-At late hour
to-day the strike OF Londons police
men, called last midnight. was still
spreading. Thousands OF hobbies
are Joining the union, recognition Of
which is one OF the strikers demands.
Serious traffic congcstions were re-
ported f:cm all parts of the city
throughout the day. The number OF
strikers is estimated as exceeding 49,
0G0
Fifteen hundred striking policemen
paradcd pas; Scotland Yard TO Tower
I'm late this afternoon, headed by a
DagpIpc band. I5oos and Kisses greeted
them from the ihronss reviewing the
parade.
Later ;o-nigh; word came from strike
headquarters that the policemen had
mier Lloyd George tomorrow 20 DIS
cuas a settlement. They had previously
refused to meet General Smuts.
Practically all of Loudons police
'1en h.-d Joined the strikers at mid
night.
rhe police strike became worse as
Of The day force joined throughout the
metropolitan area. only small num-
bcr OF the older mon remained at their
posts. F!ain-C!othcs men picketcd the
stations and tried 20 'nduC" the officers
still on duty and also the special con-
stables To strike.
area during the early hours OF the day
found very few policemen on duty.
Some who wsre At ;he:r posts had I'd
get the notice from their union that "A
.tr'ke hnd been declared They Joined
thcir comrades when picEcts arrived To
tell them OF the decision.
IN one DISTRICT ALONE
500 FAILED TO REPORT
In one division alone. that which
looks after the working class districts
a
failed 20 report. Sucn busy West End
centers as Charins Cross, Hyde Park
Corner. Marble Arch. Camden Town,
Tottcnham Court Road and Shaftes bury
Avenue. Were without their policemen.
similar conditions prevailed in South
London. and. in fact. in most of the
Before the heavy traffic appeared on
the streets. however. IL was remark
able what little difference the absence
Of the policemen made, except perhaps
TO American sailors and soldiers. who
DEPEND u.'on them for direction.
Traffic proceeded AS usual. Drivers,
many O. whom were themselves on
strike week ago. regulated the move
ment OF vehicles. and there was little
crowdiHs.
An early morning call was sent out by
Scotland Yard TO the special constablcs.
ana by 10 O'Clock many of them had
reported for work, and were sent TO the
busiest corners 10 take on t'utieS which
were new TO them. heretofore they
simply had acted AS pairolEIcn in quiet
sectors or around public buildings.
The stations were not so badly af-
fected were the streets, AS the men
OF higher rank We're not so ready to
disregard regulations and thus take
the cnancc Of being denoted.
POLICEMEN At TOoLWICH
ARSENAL. IN MOVEMENT
y majority OF the policemen in the
great Woolwich Arsenal and dock
yards joined the strike this morning.
The men in the town of Woolwich it
self, however. so far are Unaffected.
Leaders of the union said that at
noon today 10000 members OF the met
ropolitan force were OH strike, and
that the number was hourly Increasing.
The metropolitan police demand in
creased wages, recognition of their
union and the reinstatement OF a dis
charged man who WAS active in the
policencn's union.