The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-27

Nation Involved in Greatest
Strike Today.
Complete Tieup of Railroads
Occurred Friday Night.
FIGHT AGAINST STARVATION
Establish Food Dictatorship
DemObilization Stopped.
Over Half Million on Strike
Came as a Shock.
BULLETIN.

BULLETIN.
London, Sept. 27.-The ministry of
transportation shortly before o'clock
this afternoon announced that the
stoppage of traffic on the railroads
thru the nationwide transportation
strike was virtually complete, except
IN Ireland where the lines are not
affected. The announcement said
that no disturbances had been re-
ported.
London. Sept. 27-Great Britain
today was involved in the most extern
sive strike in the country's memory.
Stoppage of the entire railway sys-
tenn at midnight opened the first bat
tie in English history directly between
the government and organized labor.
Both sides were highly organized and
were preparing today for a finish
fight.
Walked Out in a Body.
So far as could be learned this
morning the members of the national
union of railway men had walked out
in a body and the cessation of service
was complete. Telephone and tele-
graphic reports to the executive COM
mittee of the union from distant CEN
ters show that local branches are sup
porting the committees action.
Railroad depots were open this
morning but, with the exception of
few persons who were not aware of
the strike, they were deserted.
In the big freight yards motor cars
driven by soldiers were carry off per-
ishable articles which arrived on late
trains from outlying sections.
c. T. Champ. president of the union,
interviewed Sir Eric Geddes. minister
of transport this forenoon. This altho
not regarded as a reopening of nego-
tiations is considered an indication
that the men and the government still
maintain friendly terms toward each
other.
Fighting Starvation.
With more than half a million men
affected by the walkout and the coun-
| try's whole transportation system par
alyzed. the governments first precau-
tiOns today were to prepare against
starvation.
The food ministry sprang a big sur
prise when 1t revealed the existence of
secret food reserves in London, which,
it was estimated, are sufficient to sup
ply the city for six weeks. Stocks in
other parts of the kingdom, it was de-
clared, will enable Britain to subsist
for at least eight weeks. Motor lor-
ries stationed in all parts of the coun-
try, early today began operating be-
tween the seaports and food depots in
the inland cities. The difficulty of
milk distribution offered the worst
problem, but an attempt will be made
to operate a few trains for this pur-
pose and it was believed the nations
babies will be spared any suffering.
A Food Dictatorship.
The government has established a
virtual food dictatorship. endowed
with almost limitiess powers. The
navy will be used to help feed the
country-the first time in history the
sea forces have been called to serve
| in such capacity,
The strike decision followed failure
Of desperate attempts at adjustment
J in all day conference between Premier
| Lloyd George, Minister of Transpor-
tation Geddes and the railway men.
The public has Interpreted the con-
tinued negotiations as an indication
that an agreement could be expected
and was poorly prepared today to
meet the problems of transport.
| Old bicycles were dragged from
store rooms and carried many persons
to work this morning. The scarcity
and expensiveness of gasoline, how
! ever, prevented a general use of pri-
vate automobiles. and, with none OF
the trains operating. Britain practical
ly stood still. The paralysis of the
London tube systems intensified the
local situation. Whether the busses
will cease operation depends on the
action of the transport workers fed
the strike if requested.
Stop DemobiIfzation.
The war office last night suspend
ed soldiers leave and stopped demo
bilization.
Reports indicated the strike became
effective without disorders. j. H
| Thomas, secretary of the Nationa
Railway union. issued a statement urg.
ing the strikers to refrain from riot.
ing and damaging property. Many
departed before midnight completed
their journey.
Walked Out of Cabs.
A dramatic scene occurred at tn,
Great Northern station at King
Cross. The train arrived just as tn,
clock struck midnight. the hour fol
the strike. The conductor blew, th'
whistle. dropped his flags and lanterI
men and the station staff.
In leaving their trains, the crew
took care to minimize the danger o
fires and collisions.
Many soldiers returning from north
e. n Russia were held up by the strike
They protested angrily but to no avail
| Lengthy official statements explain
ing the causes of the strike were is
sued today from both government anC
railway sources. The government
pointed out that wages before the wa
were $235000, 900 annually, that dur
ing the war wages were doubled anC
that shorter hours added anothe
: $1OO,0OO.0O0. The present demands
, according to the government, cal
for an additional $14.000.0OO. Th