The sun., 1919-09-30
TRANSPORT MEN
ARE HESITATING
Prospect of Spread of Strike
Is Less Ominous.

LONDON, Sept 29.-The possibility OF
an extension of the railroad strike to
few other unions has not been over
looked by the Government, but little
anxiety is expressed over this. The
Transport Workers Federation, at
meeting tonight, postponed decision on
the question whether general strike
of tramway, omnibus, dock and river
side workers was to be called. POST
ponement was due TO the Inability OF
several delegates to reach the meeting
because OF the strike.
II the transport workers decide later
to strike the Government is said to DO
prepared to use every facility at its corn
mand to keep the services going Inc
employment of the military In TINS con
nection has not been mentioned there
being sufficient volunteer workers 10
take charge of operating.
Two attempts to wreck trains running
between London and Brighton by placing
boulders on the track were reported to-
day. Military forces are now guarding
the line.
Strikers In Scotland similarly have
blocked two trains
The London and Brighton company
denies that rs per cent. of the engine
drivers and firemen OF It's line nave
offered to resume WoIh
Except on certain OF the trunk lines 10
the north trains are now running on near
Nv every railway An official report says
the Great Western service is almost nor
NAL. Many up river residents are traV-
Cling to and from London by the
Thames. The London union OF cleo
| tricians has decided to take no action
| In connection with the strike at present.
The power station In Chelsea OF the
10 fIIll
by volunteers, The renewal OF the power
! from, this station will permit OF the
starting Of the Surrey tramway, which
will relieve considerably ths situation ~
southern London.
TROOPS are being transported to Inn
| portant centres by torpedo boat Destroy
ers. which also are conveying some matt
| Among the trains running to-day was
an important one which starteo from
| Plymouth for London, bringing large
number of passengers. presumably many
from arriving steamships. Some under
| ground trains were started on the Met
| ronoiitan railways and number or
mower plants upon which electric lines
are dependent and which were stopped
by the strike are being operated by
military and naval crews ana by CIVILIAN
volunteers In the Brighton district
some trains are being run by union men
who oppose the strike
No attempts for renewal OF negotia-
lions were reported to-day from either
side. ]. Bromley, secretary Of the Fire.
men and Engineers, in a statement de-
clared himself entirely satisfied with the
progress OF the strike, saying that the
few trains running with the aid OF anna
tours did not AFFECT the general ueup
He feared that the struggle might con-
tinue for a long time and added;
I'VE regret the present position.
but we are compelled to take. this
stand 20 support the very moderate
claims Of the National Union Of Rail
way Men. Before the railroad men
are beaten for lack OF funds we are
confident that every other trades
union will come to their assistance.
The motto of the engineers Is Fight
III On"
]. II. Thomas. secretary OF the Ma
tional Union Of Railway Men. said
1T observe with regret that an at
tempt is being made to turn this hght
into a revolution, despite all my Of
III forts to limit Il TO the form of
| labor dispute. These efforts TO trans
form its character into a revolution
III airy movement may succeed, am
not responsible for this. The rail-
road men are neither Bolshevik nor
| anarchists. but know what they are
| hRhting for and they are more deter
mined than ever. Let those who are
tanning the flame be prepared for the
results Of their efforts.
I'VE shall not be beaten. No ave.
nus of settlement will be missed by
me. Neither dignity nor pride will
prevent me from settling what I
know 20 be a terrible business. I
| haVA no fear Of the result "
The Exchange Telegraph Is authorit
Tor the statement that the Governmen
considers the strike situation 90 wei
In hand that It will be needless 10 sum
mon Parliament, The statement add
that in consequence OF the disposition o
. many strikers to return to work the Ma