Evening star., 1919-09-27
T|E-UP COMPLETE
/ ON ENGLISH ROADS
National Union Railwaymen
Walked Out in Body, Stop
ping Every Wheel.
TRUCKS RELIEF TRAFFIC


LONDON. September 27.-So far as
could be learned at 10 o'clock this
morning the members Of the National
Union Of Railwaymen had walked out
in a body and the stoppage Of service
was complete. Telephone and tele-
graphic reports to the executive COM
mittee of the union from distant CEN
ters show that local branches are sup
porting the committees action.
Railroad depots here were open this
morning. but, with the exception Of a
few people who were not aware of the
strike. they were deserted. Even Off
cials Of the Southeastern railway ad-
mitted their service had ceased, while
subway trains had come to complete
the big freight yards. motor cars,
driven by soldiers, were carrying off
perishable articles which arrived on
late trains from outlying sections.
c. 7. Cramp. president of the union.
interviewed Sir Eric Geddes, minister
of transport, this forenoon. This. al
though not regarded as a reopening
of negotiations, is considered an in
dication that the men and the govern
ment still maintain friendly terms to-
ward each other.
Newspapers Delivered in Trucks.
None of the early newspaper trains
left London, but the managements of
newspapers, anticipating the strike,
made arrangements two or three days
ago to distribute papers by motor cars
and motor lorries, a huge squadron of
which left Fleet street. London's
newspaper row, early today in all di-
rections. Large provincial towns will
thus be supplied today. but country
newspapers will probably go without
them.
Several members of the cabinet
went to Downing street this fore
sultation throughout the morning,
keeping in touch with the strike situ-
alton.
IT do not think there is shadow
Of double that the miners and the
transport workers win join the
secretary of the National Union of
Railwaymen. in an interview with
the Daily Mail.
According to the Daily Mail. the
government also expects the miners
and transport workers. who. with the
railway men, are members Of the
triple alliance, to join the strike.
War Food Measures Revived.
r,,s feod controIler issued IN Or
der virtually rsyiving the war meas
food. namely, by pre-
hfbiting boarding beyond one weeks
supply. and Applying the rAtionfn8 Of
meals to public eating houses, which
will not be allowed TO serve sugar,
children under ten years Of age.
A sfdelight upon the nationwide
railroad strike was the way in which
the attendance at the Saturday foot
Of players and tens of tkouD nds of
spectators were prevented from pro-
cee,1ing to the grounds.
The organizers OF Monday race
meetings foresaw today the PROBABLE
ity Of the cancellation OF such events
the coming Monday. as the strike will
prevent the transportation of horses
to the track.
Summary Of Government Stand.
Sir Robert S. Horne. minister of
labor. summarized the governments
standpoint Of the controversy with
the National Union of Railwaymen as
follows:
"a new standard wage was pro-
posed by the government equal to an
average of at least 100 per cent over
pre-war wages and guaranteeing to
every adult railroad worker. ire
spective of any fall in the cost Of
living, a permanent minimum wage
Of forty shillings per week. compared
to eighteen to twenty before the war.
Extra payments for Sunday and
night duty and overtime. which would
equal another 20 per cent on the pre-
war wage.
"a reduction In the hours of labor
from ten to eight and in some cases
from twelve to eight.
: "At any rate the men would until
December 81 continue to receive their
present aggregate earnings and in the
meantime the government would con-
tinue their negotiations.
There has been no notice of the
reduction on December 81 If the cost
of living remains the same, in which
case the men would receive the full
aggregate wages they now receive as
long as extra cost of living does not
fall below 10 per cent above the nor
NAL and remain there for three