The Washington times., 1919-02-04
STRIKE SPREADS AS
PARLIAMENT MEETS

LONDON, Feb. 4.-The reconstruc-
lion parliament rcconvenes today
with a large portion OF the country's
workers attempting TO take recon-
struction into their own hands.
AS organization of the newly
elected legislative body gets under
way. Great Britain and Ireland face
the constantly growing menace of a
general strike, which is frankly ad
mitted by many of it's instigatoTs to
be the first step toward attempted
socialization OF the nations indus
tries under a Bolshevistic regime.
Added to this situation was the
embarrassing presence of the new
Irish republic" which was formally
declared at the recent Sim Fein par.
Pliament at Dublin. That the British
government had not evinced in any
way its intentions toward this new
neighbor only added to the RESPONSE
bilities of the new Reconstruction"
parliament in the matter. For
week parliament will devote itself to
organization work, including the
swearing in of members, hearing of
contests, etca 1t will be formally
opened by King George on Febru-
ary II.
Premier to Hurry Back.
So important are the problems i'm
mediately confronting parliament
that Premier Lloyd George, despite
the urgency of his presence at the
peace conference, will arrive in Lon
don the last of this week TO confer
with parliamentary leaders and di-
rect formulation of a Legislative pro-
gram. The vital questions which this
parliament must pass upon are:
Ratification of the peace treaty.
Settlement of general strikes.
Definition of its attitude toward
the Irish repuNic."
Adoption of general reconstruc-
tion program.
Under the last division is included
the problem of import restrictions with
possible departure from the free
trade" policy; free land for soldiers;
better housing and working conditions
and extension and maintenance of the
merchant marine.
Both the coalition and minority par
ties are pledged to put through socio-
logical reforms (which will make the
country worthy Of the heroism of the
men who have fought for her since
1914" The housing problem, will be
one OF the first things to be consid-
cred. Great Britain will be asked to
authorize the building of thousands
of cottages within easy access to the
industrial regions. These cottages
will be sold to workmen on easy pay
ments.
Ministry OF Health.
A ministry Of health is to be Gre
ated to keep tab on sanitary condi-
tions in industrial quarters and see
that the workers environment is
made more pleasant.
The wage scale, il is hoped. will not
be allowed to drop back TO its ante
bellum, hand -to-mouth level. While
there probably will be some difficulty
in fixing a minimum wage. it seems
practically certain that some figures
will be agreed on which will enable
all workmen to maintain a much
higher standard of living than
hitherto has been possible. Regula-
tion of working hours will be debated
and some maximum working day
fixed.
The labor ministry is helping de-
mobilized soldiers to find jobs. Wheth-
er such assistance will develop into
A regular free labor agency with
branches throughout the country or
whether the bulk of this work will
be done by the trades unions is still
unknown.
To settle Labor Crisis.
Quick formation and passage OF the !
industrial part Of the reconstruction
program will, il is believed, tend to- |
ward an amicable adjustment of the |
labor crisis now threatening the |
country. There was some conjecture |
as to whether the Sim Feiners elect |
ed to Parliament would attend in its
formatory stages.
It seemed to be a foregone conclu- |
sion that if they did they would |
withdraw before formal converting of !
the body next week compelled them to !!
swear allegiance to the King. The few |
Irish NationaIists elected will be pres |
ent, according to T. p. O'Connor, their |
leader. One of the notable features
of the new Parliament will be the ap- |
pearance of the labor party as ''his |
majesty's opposition" The labor |
ties won this title at the elections |
by polling a plurality over the other |
parties with the eXcep- |
tion of the Sim Feiners. The latter, |
however, are expected to relinquish |
their chance to lead the opposition [
nv refusing 70 sit