The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-24
BRITISH RAIL FIGHT
NEAR SETTLEMENT
Sunday Conference Failed, but
Leaders See Prospects of
Agreement.

LONDON, March 23.--Another long
conference was hold at the Board Of
Trade to-day In an endeavor 10 arrive
at a solution OF the dispute OF the rail-
way men. It failed OF It's object and
was adjourned until tomorrow. 1t 10
understood the negotiations are pro-
ceeding smoothly and that there is a
prospect OF a rettlemen.
In their comments on the labor situa-
ton moet Of the newspapers dwell upon
tho success which attended the Govern
nent's decision TO make the Coal Conn
missions report on It's inquiry public
Regret is expressed that the same policy
was not adopted as regards the dispute
with the railway men. The star, re-
joicing over the prospect that there will
be no triple strike, says
This old land IL going to show
other lands how TO build social
peace and social justice upon a vic
! tory of liberty over autocracy. 1t is
not the nrst time that the British
people have led the world toward the
light. The Coal Commission Ia
peculiarly British Improvisation. II
has worked no well that we are all
keen on developing II boldly and APP
plying II to all other intractable la
Dor problems. The secret OF success
was publicity inspired by fair play"
Calls II Epoch Making.
The weekly Observer describes the
Coal Commission sessions as an epoch-
making inquiry and as marking the end
of the old system. This newspaper says
the new experiment OF the Coal Com
mission In too bold and too successful
to be dismissed as a unique instrument
, fashioned to deal with a special case"
| and that its results should be examined
to see what can be achieved In the solu-
ton OF Industrial difficulties by a public
tribunal.
The Observer points out that the Gov
ernment's adoption OF Justice Sankey's
| report opened UP for the coal industry
the prospect of intensive reconstruction
which other industries might we'll envy.
The newspaper adds that the history OF
the Coal Commission 10 a portent which
| the policy OF the industrial triple alli-
J ance must take into account.
George Nicoll Barnes Labor member
in the War Cabinet, in an article In the
Weakly Despatch. referring to the agree
ments made recently shortening work.
ing hours and raising was yes. says these
concessions have not been altogether
extorted by trades unions, but are the
result of broader outlook and a new
note or humanity on the part or en-
ployers, who have been stirred by the
events OF the last four or five years and
have emerged better from the ordeal Of
enduring common privstions for a great
cause"
Barnes Blames Theorists.
Mr.. Barnes declares that rumors OF
strikes constantly filling the air are
due TO "a few theorists OF perverted
mentality who are seeking trouble In the
hope of securing chance to test their
theories" The Minister in his article
appeals to workmen to avail themselves
% the opportunities now offered them
for cooperating with their employers.
Andrew Donar Law. Government
leader in the House OF Commons. con-
terred for half an hour yesterday at
Downing Street with representatives OF
the miners union and II was agreed
that they should meet again Tuesday II
Is understood Mr. Bonar Law called the
conference to consider certain feature 9
OF the Sankey report and the miners
proposals In connection with II. The ad-
tournament was taken 10 enable Mr.
Bonar Law to obtain Mr.. Sankey's in
depreciation OF various recommended
lions.
Sir Robert Stevenson Horne. Minister
OF Labor, and all the executives OF the
miners union participated In the meet
ing.