Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-14
INDUSTRY CRISIS
in GREAT BRITAIN
Peace Conference and
World Reconstruction Be-
come Minor Issues
LAW NJ 4 X ES APPEAL
Tells Commons Chief Danger
Lies i'm Lack of
Credit

London, Feb 4.-Industrial ques-
tions In Great Britain are for the first
time. making the Peace Conference and
world reconstruction merely minor is
sues. The demands OF miners and rail-
waynen. with the high cost OF food and
other problems Of domestic reconstruct
ton' command chief attention from the
newspapers. and the veteran labor lead
ers, William Brace and J. II. Thomas
told the House OF Commons last night
that the country is conf 'outed by the
most serious crisis in recent history II
these problems are not dealt with imme-
diately,
In reply TO a proposed amendment 10
tne reply to tie address from the
throne suggesting the stimulation OF ma
Nonal undertakings Throughout the en-
pre- III fields OF production 100 large for
individual enterprise in the House OF
commons yesterday. Captain Amery.
member for South Birmingham speak,
ing on behalf OF the government. said
the nation was approaching the limits
OF ordinary methods Of revenue and
added that ii was advisable to inquire
whether a system OF partnership with
industry is NOT feasible. lie said that
this plan might create new sources of
wealth where individual enterprise
might not be tempted 20 venture.
Bonnr Law speaks
1t had been expected that Premier
Lloyd George would intervene in the
labor debate in the House of Commons
but Andrew BoEar law. government
spokesman In the House, explained that
the Premier had been detained by i'm
portant work and had asked him TO
speal. instead.
7 IL. H. L..
House not 10 force a division on the
labor amendment. IT was not fair. he
said, TO suggest that the government
was neSlcctng TIE industrial situation.
lie denied that the government had
shown a tenderness for pronteers. ODi
the contrary, prices had been controlled
or fixed in every direction and one ef-
feet Of q heavy excess profits duty likely
would be an absence Of working capital,
which would be dangerous 10 the coun-
try in trade competition.
After announcing the government =
Willingness 10 make any award 10 the
miners retroactive. Mr.. Bonar Law
argued that a distinction had been
drawn between the movement for OBJ
tanning better working conditions by
limiting employers profits and similar
movements infictiug hardships on the
community.
Peril in Lack of Credits
lie believed that IL the people kept
their heads there would be no great
danger of serious unemployment The
demand for commodities of all kinds
would prevent that. The dangers he fore
saw were lack of credit and fear TO
engage in new enterprises
The Brace amendment to the speech
from the throne was defeated by a vote
Of Gil to 80.
Following the decision OF the Miners
Federation TO call for Il strike ballot the
federation has issued an official reply to
the governments statement regarding
the miners demands. This document
charges the government with trying 70
turn public opinion against the miners.
The demand for the naturalization OF
the mining industry is forcibly reiterated.
In the event OF a strike, the Mails
labor expert remarks. the country may
be confronted by wholesale indus
trial disaster and such suffering among
the poor as even the war failed TO in
hicr"
Edward Short, Home Secretary, stated
in the House of Commons yesterday that
the general repatriation OF alien enemies
in the United Kingdom was being car,
ried out as rapidly as shipping conditions
permitted. over six thousand had beer
repatriated since the armist!ce.