Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-30
TRAINS IN ENGLAND
STOPPED BYSTR|KE,
LITTLE DISORDER
Mass Meeting Of Railroad
Men Denounce. Govern
ment Officials - Political
Struggle Foreseen

LONDON, Sept. 27.-Great Britain
today was involved in the most ex-
tensive strike in the country's MEM
DRY.
Stoppage of the entire railway sys-
tenn at midnight opened the first bat
tie in English history directly be-
tween the government and organized
labor. Both sides were highly Or
ganized and were preparing today
for a finish fight.
With more than hair a million men
affected by the walkout and the coun-
try's whole transportation system
paralyzed, the governments first pre-
cautions today were to prepare
against starvation.
The food ministry sprang a big
surprise when it revealed the exis-
tence of secret food reserves in Lon
don, which it was estimated, are suf-
ficient to supply the city for six
weeks. Stocks in other parts of the
kingdom, it was declared, will en-
able Britain to subsiSt for at least
eight weeks.
Motor 1orries stationed in all parts
OF the country today began operating
between the seaports and food de-
pots in the inland cities. The diff
Guilty of milk distribution offered the
worst problem, but an attempt will
be made to operate few trains for
this purpose and it was believed the
nations babies will be spared any
suffering.
hnI q y
virtual food dictatorship, endowed
with almost limitless powers. The
navy will be used to help feed the
Countrywide first time in history the
sea forces have been called to serve
in such capacity.
The strike decision followed des-
perate attempts at adjustment in all
day conferences between Premier
Lloyd George, minister of transport
Geddes and the railway men. The
public had interpreted the continued
negotiations as an Indication that
an agreement would be reached and
was poorly prepared today to meet
the problems of transport.
The first day of the strike
passed without disorder, but with
practically complete stoppage of
railway transport throughout the
country. Thus far it has been from
a union standpoint the most sue
cessful tie-up of industry ever re-
corded by warning labor.
LONDON, Sept. 29.-Great Britain,
a nation without transportation, ex-
pected today that the next forty
eight hours would prove the most
critical period Of the railway strike.
Today and tomorrow, it was be-
lieved, would show whether the
walkout would be broken soon, or
whether the nation would have to
face a long siege. While all the
strikers readily accepted the oppor-
tunity for a weekend holiday, it was
believed many were becoming dis
heartened over the public's hostility
and were likely to resume work.
The government promised limited
services on the railroads today. 1t
was expected that naval Stokers and
engineers would be utilized in this
effort. The depots at Portsmouth and
Chatham were scenes of the liveliest
activity and the first battle squadron
had been ordered to proceed from
Scarborough to the Thames.
The general situation was i'm
proving and government measures
were working satisfactory, it was
announced in an official statmeent
issued from Downing street today
Predicts Worse Tie-up
]. T. Thomas, secretary of the
Railway union, declared today:
Conditions will be worse today
and every subsequent day. The
government need have no hope Of
breaking the strike by army divi-
sions or cowardice."
The official communique from
Downing street read:
"The general strike situation is i'm
proving. The government measures
are working satisfactorily. Food dis
tribution is proceeding smoothly and
offers of voluntary assistance are
still pouring in"