New-York tribune., 1919-09-06
s.n Is Commended by
Labor Leaders, Who Feel
Industrial Situation Is
Much Brighter Now
bankruptcy Fear Effective
Warming of Grave Finan-
-cial Position Believed
Reason for Moderation

roNDON, Sept a majority Of
.,s railwavmen supported the pro
sss, 10 postpoNe vote on the ques-
~ of direct action" at yesterdays s
-sstine Of the Triple Alliance of Rail
.ssv Fmploves. Transport Workers and
Miners Direct action is the use of
-. strike to achieve political ends.
The foremost labor leaders of the
.onntry. including Robert Smlllie. head
=; the miners, James Henry Thomas,
..seral secretary Of the National Union
= Railwaymen: John Robert Clines;
Iohu Hodge. former Minister of Pen
SONS; William James Thorn and Ben
Tillet were present at the meeting. and
me decision to postpone the ballot,
which was reached by considera Bile
ralority. il considered a satisfactory
issue from ar awkward situation.
Arthur Henderson, leader Of the La
bor party in the House of Commons,
spesking at London tonight. char
sc.erized the vote OF .he railwaymen
ss wise and commendable decision "
He admitted the workers must retain
the right to strike for industrial pur-
poses until society is better organized.
bu. declared they must not set bad
example by substituting direct action
for the constitutional measures which
are provided.
Asks Them to Look Ahead
Mr.. Henderson said the workers
must "envisage the possibility of
organized labor being called to form a
government, and ask themselves
whether in that case they would allow
minority in opposition to labor's
programme for social and economic
Oetterment to defeat that policy by
unconstitutional means"
Direct action" is one Of the two
most important sub ects to come be-
fore the Glasgow Trades Union Con
gTess Monday. The other is the ma
tional.za;lon Of such indus tries as the
coal mines and the railways.
1t is virtually certain that direct
seton" vii. be rejected by tie Con-
gsss 1t was originally advocated to
compel the government to abolish con-
sciption, withdraw from the Russian
military enterprise. hberate conscien-
toas objectors and abstain from en-
ploying troops IN industrial disputes.
The government has promised these
reforms. and since the sense Of the
whole country, with the exception Of
the extremists is against direct ac-
ton" 1t IS considered improbable that
it will be adopted. The miners will
advocate it and Will contend in justfi-
cation OF their stand that the mere
threat Of It's employment suHiced TO
influence the governments policy in
the desired direction. and was, in fact,
the actuating motive IN the decision
10 ilberate the conscientious ohiectors
and withdraw from Russia
Industrial Situation Improved
The Industrial situation in Grea,
Britain at the present moment appears
far less grave than q few months ago
Ehen there was threat of a complete
upheaval of labor. Since the settle
ment Of the Yorkshire strike there ha:
beer 70 trouble Of great magnitude
although small strikes IN various in
dustries are still frequent and tramwa,
workers are threatening a nationa
walkout # wage advance is no
granted.
Generally, however, unrest through
out the country has been lessened sine
ministerial revelations Of the nation
grave financial position, which seems t,
have had rnoderating influence. In
fuential labor leaders have done thei
utmost to impress workers with til,
imperative need of speeding up the in
custrlal output, and. moreover, the GOV
eminent has promised early Legislation
providing for a forty eight-hour weel
and minimum wage for all industries
Much viii depend on whether th,
coming winter brings a serious advanc,
10 the cost of living. Such an upward
movement already IS foreshadowed il
increased prices Of pie foods suci
as bread, meat, milk and tea, and j
prices continue to rise. new demand.
on the part Of labor. with a renewal o.
'he strike movement, undoubtedly will
develop,