The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-09-29
PLANTS CLOSED
BY LACK OF FUEL
Industrial Paralysis Caused by
Railway Strike Spreads
III England.
FOOD SUPPLY DWINDLES

London, Sept. 29.-The Industrial
paralysis created by the great rail.
way strike spread today, many add.
tional plants being compelled to close
because of a lack of fuel.
With 100000 workers idle as a
result Of the unprecedented labor
tie-up, the full effect of the strike
was felt today and the real test is
expected during the next forty eight
hours.
II always feared, and fear today,
an attempt ma be made t. turn this
from a railway strike into a revolu-
4 tion," declared J. H. Thomas, execu-
\ tive secretary of the National Union
of Railway Men. 1T Is possible that
this will be the result"
The reserve food supply is dwin-
ding rapidly and London and the
other big cities in England, Scotland
and Wales face grave menace with
cold weather coming on. Additional
collieries in Wales and north Eng
land are closing.
Lloyd George Tireiess.
All efforts at settlement have
failed so far, but Premier Lloyd
George Is comforting continuously
with his colleagues in hope of find
ing an avenue that will clear the
turbulent labor atmosphere.
So far as food. fuel and lighting
are concerned, London Is getting
back on a wartime basis. Food will
be rationed and the city was almost
in darkness last night
A feature of the strike so far
reaching in it's effect has been the
absence Of any disorder. It was not
until today that the inconvenience to
the travelling public was felt in it's
full effect, as Saturday was a half
holidev and Sunday frll holiday.
Attempt Skeleton Schedule.
Railroads running out of London
will attempt to operate trains on
skeleton schedules today, according
to announcement. 1t is hoped thus
to cope with the strike situation
which brought about an almost to-
tai suspension of traffic yesterday in
this city and which has virtually
stopped traffic on all English roads.
Concern is felt over the possibility
| of the strike spreading to the miners
land transport workers unions which
are affiliated with the national union
pf railway men. James Henry
, Thomas. leader of the railroad work.
ers, said yesterday he would ask the
assistance of the triple alliance"
ipnlv in case he "cannot fight the rail.
Soad question alone"
80 Per Cent Coal Diiggers Idle.
Robert Smillie, leader OF the mi
ners' union, speaking at GLASGOW last
night, said that because Of the fact
that the mines and railroads are so
closely related. 80 per cent Of the
coal diggers of the country would
be idle in a few days. This would
automatically bring about strike con-
ditions without an actual strike or.
der being sent out. Mr. Smillie ad-
vised members of the union to be
calm and to conduct a passive
campaign"
London is being fed by means of
fleets of motor lorries. which bring
milk and other foodstuffs to the city.
The government has appealed to the
people to economize as much as pos
sible in petrol, fuel and food.
100000 Idle in Wales.
One hundred thousand miners are
idle in the South Wales coal fields as
a result of the railroad strike. Many
collieries are closed down and the
Swansea harbor trade is at a stand
still