Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-26
NOT CHANGE
LABOR EMBARGO
British Government Again
Refuses to Be Moved by
y Strike Threats -
100000 TO co ON STRIKE
Workers Put ''Sole Response.
bility for Unrest on the
n Government"
800, 900 TO co ON STRIKE
By the Associated Press

London, July 26.
The Ministry of Munitions announced
last night that 1t had received reso-
luton from the Birmingham joint COM
mittee, repeating the previous offer to
recommend the immediate resumption Of
work II the ministry suspended the en-
barge for fourteen days. The resolu-
. .tion says:
III the ministry's desire to serve the
national interests Is as sincere as our
own, we will agree to the course uni
xersally adopted in all disputes. namely,
the suspension of the operation of the
matter in dispute"
The minister replied that he could not
see his way to withdraw or suspend the
embargo. He hoped that the commit
tee would again consider the request
Of the national advisory committee. that
all the men should resume work. bear
Ing in mind that the resolution was
taken with clear understanding that
the embargo would not be removed"
The Press Association says that at n
meeting held at Wolverhampton by the
joint committee last night It was re-
solved to telegraph to Mr.. Churchill,
the Minister of Munitions, and Premier
Lloyd George to remove the embargo
Immediately. failing which. sole respon-
sibility for the Industrial unrest in the
district will be placed on the shoulders
OF the Government"
A reply was demanded within twenty
four hours.
Leeds. July 26.--At a conference of
members of the engineering and allied
.rades Yesterday. with delegates present
representing 100000 workers, It was de-
cioed to cease work next Tuesday II the
embargo Is not removed.
Coventry, July 26.-By noon yester-
day $4,000 of Coventry's $4,000 skilled
workers were on strike Altogether So
600 workers engaged In the manufacture
OF munitionSar affected
Tne joint committee of engineering
ana allied unions. which urged that worl,
Oe continued pending conference has
been repudiated by the strikers
Birmingham. July 26.-Thc workmen
OF the Slack country, one of the chief
1ndustrial districts of the Midlands, are
Joining the strike. and the situation is
considered more serious.
London. July 26 (via Ottawa)-The
:, strike had its origin In the deficiency OF
skilled labor. This deficiency necessi.
tated the Government making plans fol
an even distribution Of labor. but some
hrms, by offering attractive wages, man
AGED to secure an unfair proportion Of
skilled workers. The Government there
fore laid an embargo on three Coventry
nrms, which were told an excess oi
skilled hands could not be permitted.
One Of these firms thereupon ISSUED
notice saying the Government embargo
was meant to apply to men earning tn,
standard district rate Of pay, and in
structing foremen in the future to en-
gage only semiskilled workers. 1t Il
said the men misunderstood the pur
port of the embargo, which was wrongl.
interpreted as an attempt to oust skilled
workers and drive them into the army b.
means Of low wages. Aside from this
the men contend that the embargo Is +;
restriction of their right to dispose o.
their labor on the best terms obtainable