Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-06
BRITISH RAILROAD
STRIKE EXTENDED
Lines Beyond London In.
volved as Government In
vokes Realm Defense Act
TROOPS REFUSE TO ACT
Council Orders Continuance
of Supply of Electricity,
Gas and Water

London, Feb &. The first step IN the
direction Of the threatened extension Of
the railroad strike beyond the local lines
IN London was taken last night when
some of the drivers on the Brighton and
the Southwestern roads were called out.
The centers on the Brighton line.
which hitherto have not been affected.
are Ncwcrtss and the Battcrsea freight
yards in London and Brighton aud East
bourne on the south coast. As some Of
the drivers who have stopped work op-
crate steam-driven trains, it would seem
10 be the intention TO extend the strike
to all of both the lines affected only
sections in London and suburban ar as
are electrified The Southwestern. in
addition TO serving many western sub
urbs of the city, runs westward through
England as far as Cornwall, while the
Brighton road serves populous area in
southeastern England As far west as
Portsmouth and the Islc Of wight II
is one of the largest passenger roads in
the southern London suburbs
Reprissl for Government Attitude
The calling OF the locomotive enCi-
neers on these lines. while fulfilling \
threat to call a general strike. made on
Monday, is also looked upon as a re-
tort to the letter from Andrew Bonar
W.
Commons. in which he refused to meet
the strikers II is also result of the
failure Of j. Bromley secretary Of the
associat ton OF locomotive engineers and
firemen, to reach settlement with Sir
Albert Stanley. president of the Board
of Trade and Sir Robert Horne Minis
ter of Labor.
Officials Of the Locomotive Engineers
Union met In Leeds last night and re-
iterated the charge that the government
was "quibbling.
The possibility Of calling out all the
members of the union was discussed It
was said that. of the $4,000 Cnginemen
in the country. $4,000 are members Of
the unfon. Suggestions that the govern
ment might run the railroads without
the help OF the unions were scoffed at
The National Union of Ralwaymen, a
much larger organization than the Loco
motive Engineers Union, has not been
affected in the present dispute but it
has important negotiations pending with
the government. II is said these nego-
tiations will be taken up by the secre-
tary, ]. Fl. Thomas NJ. T.. when he re-
turns from the Socialist conference in
Berne.
Electric Strike Unlikely
The governments quick action in TAX
ing advantage or the Kings presence in
London yesterday to call a meeting of
the council TO enforce under the defense
of the realms act legal means to secure
to the communities an electric supply
as already exists and to protect in
similar manner the gas and water sun
plies against strike measures has the
full support of the general public
- The Electric Trade Union at a meet
ing last night TO consider the changed
situation reached no decision. hut ad-
journcd until today. and It is believed
there will he no electric power strike
More than 1000 mechanics of the royal
army service corps have refused to 20
on duty in depots adjoining London
They claim their contract as soldiers is
at an end and demand that they be de.
modified and engaged as civ iians 10
continue the work or he given the same
pay that civilians would earn.
The situation on the clyde is still i'm
proving, though there has been no gen
eral resumption Of work
At Belfast, Lord Pirrie, controller OF
merchant shpbuilding, had a long con-
ference with representatives of the
strikers He proposed a temporary ar
rangement of work for ffty-four hours
weekly, with overtime paid for all work
exceeding forty-seven hours, pending a
complete settlement, for which he agrees
to call a conference with the firms con-
cerned II is probable that decision
on this proposal will be reached today