The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-09-29
British Government to Run
Some Trains in Effort to
Break transportation
Strike.
CRITICAL PERIOD NOW
London Back on War Tims Rules
With Streets in Darkness and
Rationing of I
Food.
[By ed l.. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent

[By ed L. Keen, United Press Staff
Correspondent
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 believed 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 ac-
cepted the opportunity for week
end holiday, it was believed today that
many of them were becoming disheart-
ened over the public's hostility and
were likely to resume work.
The government promised limited
service on the railroads today. 1t was
expected that, naval stokers 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 Thames.
The completeness of the governments
plans has surprised the strikers.
The most disquieting feature Of the
situation today was the possibility OF
a sympathetic strike by the transport
federation, which will meet tonight 1t
is feared action may be taken to join
the dock workers union in general
walkout. I
The seamens and firemens union
voting against strike has declared 1t
will remain loyal to the government
and defeat the mechanians of the boil
sheviki and hotheads of the industrial
world.
The traffic situation was unchanged
today. Pending the governments at
tempt to operate train service, travel
remained as difficult as when the
strike began.
Arrangements for the distribution Of
food are proceeding smoothly, an Off
cial statement issued from Downing
street declared It was stated inn
mediate use would be made of offers
for service which were pouring in
from all parts of the country.
London is like a city IN a state OF
siege-besieged by section of its
own population. The full extent of the
strike is gradually sinking into the
minds of the people and affecting
every person in one way or another.
The economic machinery Of war time
has been revived, rigid war ratiops ara
imposed as strictly as when the chan
mel ports were threatened And last
night London groped about in war
time darkness. All unnecessary illum-
nation was suspended Coal dealers
were notified their sales must be ra-
toned.
The governments efforts to operate
a skeleton service were partly sue
cessful today on both local and long
distance lines. The trains were
manned by volunteers and loyal en-
ployes who are not members Of the
union The boat train running from
London to Folkestone departed on
time. The London southwestern road
is running electric trains to the subur-
ban district south of Thames, main
tanning half hour service. The trains
are operated by union men who re-
fused to strike.
The general situation is improving
and government measures are work
ing satisfactorily, it was announced in
an official statement issued from
Downing street today.