New-York tribune., 1919-07-22

tion Of piece rates growing out of the
increase in the coal price.
Some 100000 miners likewise are out
in Yorkshire for an increase in wages
granted by South Yorkshire mine own
ers, subject to approval by the coal
controller. The West Yorkshire own
ers, however, withdrew from this agree
ment.
The strike is generally considered as
very serious because the workers en-
gagged in pumping and other labor es-
sental to the safety of the mines
joined the strikers. Heretofore such
workers have been allowed to continue
at their tasks during strikes.
Forty-flve thousand miNers also went
on strike in the Dcrbyshire district as
a protest against the increased price of
coal.
Discussing the flooding of the York
shire mines. Premier Lloyd George
said in the House of Commons some of
the mines would be ruined.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the last twen-
ty-four hours had witnessed grave and
unprecedented developments IN the
miners strike. He said the Yorkshire
miners had called out the pump mer
and engineers, and that many mines in
that district were suffering from the
rising water and we're threatened with
destruction.
Eighty-fye Mines Imperilled
Al tifty-eight mines, lie said, the
necessary men were at work, but that
in eightytive mines pumping lad been
stopped entirely. Mine icals, he
added, continued III. pumping at thir-
ty-five mines after the men left.
The Yorkshire coal fields, the Pre-
mier said, produced 100000 tons OF
coal year and were the second largest
in the United Kingdom.
The government, he said, had sent
messages to the Miners Federation
asking what action it is prepared to
take and stating that the government
was prepared to withdraw the men it
had sent to replace strikers on the
mine pumps as soon as the strikers
returned to work. Until this hap
pened, he added, the government would
take every means at its disposal to
save the mines and to afford protec-
ton to those willing to work.
He said the special commissioner
sent there, Sir Eric Geddes, would
seek to coordinate efforts to overcome
the serious menace threatening York
shire
The action of the miners in strik-
ing, the Premier stated, not only jeop-
ardized their own means Of livelihood,
but threatened disaster to every one
in the district.
A staggering blow has been struck
the Sheffield industries by the strike IN
the Yorkshire coalfields, says a DIS
patch to The Evening News" from
Sheffield to-day Thousands of hands
were thrown out of work this morning
by the stoppage of the engineering z
works in Sheffield, which announc~ d
that because Of the shortage of coal
they will remain closed until the end
week it is feared that all the large
works will be shut down. the advices
add
Men Out In South Wales
large number of surface workers
at the mines in South Wnies also are
on strike for the same shorter hours
as those granted the wlners and fcf
extra pay for week ends. Anumber OF
other strikes in various parts of the
coaltields are reported. One coIliery ir
South Wales has been closed because
of alleged harsh treatment of the nsn
while at another colliery the men are
striking for the maintenance of the
custom by which they w.re supplied
with coal at nominal prices Cor thei,
homes. A general strike, the dis.
patches state, is threatened on this
question.
1t was pointed out that the proposed
increase of six shillings per ton fol
coal, announced by the government
will make the best quality cost Ji
, shillings 6 pence in London, with q
bottom price Of 48 shillings 6 pence.