Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-31
BRITAIN MAY CALL
ARMY IN STRIKES
Gravity of Spreading Labor
Upheaval Augurs Mill.
tarv Law Shortly
"SONIET" RUNS BELFAST
Workmens Committee Takes
Over City Government in
Virtual Revolt
By the associated Press

London. Jan. 3l.--The increasing seri-
BUSINESS of the labor situation in the
United Kingdom especially iu Belfast
and the rapid spreading oC strikes to
the large Industrial establishments to-
day are marked here by indications ot
further disorders that may entail the
proclamation Of military Lave.
The labor upheavh was the subjcc
OF discussion at a special meeting ~ IN"
Cabinet yesterday and the Board Of
Trade also Is active iu an effort to bring
about settlements, but NJ tp this time
without success
The view taken by the government is
that governmental interference now
would he unwise and perhaps danger
GUS The strike movements are local
and agains, the advice Of the respective
trade unions.
II appears To be believed generally
that the absence of strike pay for the
men soon will bring about the collapse
of the movement
The problem in view for the govern
ment ministers is how to re-cstahlsh
the authority OF the trade unions and
assist in the expansion Of machinery of
Cancellation SO rs to enable each trade
10 settle its own disputes. The attitude
OF lIlt tlllpIpNfIS iU lllpSl 'NNfT ~ tIl'
they will refuse to negotiate until the
men resume work.
New Railroad strike Threatened
Thus far the railways have not been
affected. The Board uf Trade has de-
c,ded to grant an ejght-hour day to the
railway men from February l. but the
question of meal times, being included
in the eight-hOur period, may lead to
new difficulties. Furthermore. q meet
ing in London yesterday OF representa-
tives Of $4,000 railway clerks and sta
tion masters developed talk of a strike
because the Board ~ Trade refused to
recognize these mems union. They win
meet again sunday to decide on their
course OF action.
The government will make arrange
ments to protect lives and property and
TO preserve order" SAYS the Mail in the
course Of a discussion of the strike At
Clyde. The newspaper says that "uu-
constitutional threats have been made
by the strikers.
Several persons were injured in elias
gov today when the police charged a
crowd of strikers with their batons. Tn"
mounted police We're called out and scN-
eral arrests were made.
kilograms from Belfast depict a Sit
uatiOn there which seems akin to that
which recently obtained in German cities
under revolutionary rule The governing
power has been usurpcd. says a Belfast
dispatch TO the Mail by the strike COM
mittee. and the city Is governed, not from
the magnificent municipal building
known as the city Han hut from tho
humble Artisans Hall
Workmen Running city
There is no outstanding personality
says the dispatch. but there is a capa-
bic committee OF local trades union lead.
ers, most of whom are moderate and re.
strained. Nobody can do anything uu.
less he comes, cap in hand, to this conn
mittee. Even the police are helpless
and the chief Of police has asked the
strike leaders to cooperate with the con.
stables in preventing disorders and law.
lessness when strikers 60 10 a hotel
to cut off electric current police accom-.
panv them. The postmaster has thank
ed the strike committee for allowing tho
postoflice TO us" electricity
THE committee has prescribed 4
limited amount Of work m certain i'm
dustrics. particularly those involved n
feeding and warming the people. Other.
wise there is no industrial or CONNER.