Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-03
GEORGE: DECLINES To
FARLEY UNTIL. MEN
co BACK To WORK
Premier Tells Labor Leaders
That Ht viii Not Reopen
Negotiations While the
Strike Is On

!
! LONDON, Oct. 1.-Premier Lloyd
George today informed the deputa-
| ton of transport workers who called
upon him as Intermediates in the
railroad strike that it was impractic-
able to continue negotiations until
the railroad men resumed work:
Hopes had earlier been entertained
that a compromise ending the strike
might be reached.
While the delegates of the trans
port federation assembling today to
decide whether the 425,000 workers
they represented should go out in
sympathy with the striking railroad
men of Great Britain the govern
ment's official report on the situa-
ton, issued at noon, announced
| continued improvement in actual con-
ditios.
William C. Adamson, chairman OF
the labor party in parliament, and
leader of the opposition there, has
telegraphed Prime Minister Lloyd
George asking that parliament be
summoned Immediately.
Train Service Better
The train service had bene bet
tered, the commun ique asserted,
more than 500 trains having been
run yesterday, inclusive of those in
T.. n
ditional railroad men had returned
to work, it was declared.
arrangements have been made to
replace the bus men and the tram
way men should they strike" the
statement announced. It was added
the movement of food was proceed
ing remarkably well.
Anti-strike volunteers are constant
ly becoming more numerous. Many
sons from leading families are serv-
ing as porters, watchmen and other
unskilled workers. declaring their
wish to help in the defense of the
principle of constitutional govern
ment," which they say is menaced
by( the strike.
| Increased restlessness is noticed
among the strikers. Complaining
against the governments use of mil
itary guards, one branch Of the rail-
way union has issued an ultimatum
threatening to flood several tunnels
and call out the tunnel bumpers I'M
less the soldiers are withdrawn with
in forty -eight hours. The govern
ment, in a new statement, urged the
strictest economy and reiterated that
the food situation was satisfactory.
Coal Shortage Threatened
The pinch from the coal shortage
is tightening, however. A quarter of
a million workers are idle in South
Wales, and it is feared all the mines
will be forced to close today.
Today the public is anxiously
awaiting the result Of the statement
of J. H. Thomas, secretary Of the
railway union, who declared:
Hitherto we have refused the 9TH
er unions offers of help, but am not
going to continue refusing. 1 have
been driven to this fight My back is
against the wall"
LONDON, Oct. 2.-Cabinet minis
/ ters are optimistic over the prospect
| Of a settlement of the railroad
! strike, according to the political
| correspondent of the Daily Mail, who
| says they declared early this morn
| ing the government would not re-
| cede from it's determination not to
| resume negotiations unless the men
| first resume work, and remarked
| that the fact that J. P. Thoma S,
| leader of the National Union of
Railway Men, went to Downing
street while knowing of this con-
| dition, was, a most hopeful feature.
Leaders of the Transport Workers
union and other labor organizations
are endeavoring to find a way to
bring the railway men back and
have refrained from any threat to
extend the strike as result of yes
terday's conference. This, it is said,
is due to the fact that leaders of
the National Union of Railway Men
are trying to obtain from the gov
eminent an outline relative to the
subsequent wage negotiations which
they can lay before the men as a
reason for ordering them back to
their posts.
Notices were posted at important
railroad centers yesterday, accord
ing to the Mail, stating the govern
ment has ordered that wages due
strikers for their last weeks work
will not be paid because the men
quit their posts without notice.
Hope that some means might be
found for reaching an understanding
with the government relative to the
railroad strike was expressed in a
statement issued this morning by j.
H. Thomas, secretary of the Ma
tional Union Of Railway Men before
going to the conference with Pre-
mier Lloyd George and other mem
bers of 4''e ministry.
'The position is such, I hope,' the
statement said, that negotiations
will be resumed. Anything that may
hamper or prejudice it, or render
it more difficult to find a bridge to
the situation, which is becoming
| more dangerous every hour must be
| avoided at all costs. We are not
striking for striking's sake, and we
will not prolong the dispute an hour
more than can be avoided I hope to
go down to Downing street to give
effect to the same spirit in which 1
am now speaking."
CIofhinn pr;coe Rodu~o,]