The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-03
GOVERNMENT FIRM;
STRIKE WEAKENS
Mediation in British Fight
Still Going On.
Bp the Associated Press.

LONDON, OCt- E.-InOuBn II WOufu De
premature to abandon hope OF a settle
ment Of the railway strike. the situation
tonight has disappointed the almost
universal expectation of some arrange
inent resulting from the numerous con-
ferences yesterday and to-day between
the labor representatives and the Gov
eminent, and the position Is again grave.
James Henry Thomas, general sec
rotary of the National Union Of Rail-
way Men, announced that the efforts
TO reopen the negotiations collapsed
owing to the Governments refusal to
81 beyond its previous offer, but added
that other unions than that of the rail-
way men were continuing their efforts
at mediation and that while the strike
continued the railroad men would do
nothing to hinder mediation.
After a conference Of the executives
of the railway men and transport work.
ers, Mr.. Thomas issued statement In
which he said:
Rumors of a settlement are in
correct. The negotiations have broken
down, inasmuch as the Government
orrer does not diner from that of
Friday last.
Transport Men Delay Strike.
The Transport Workers Federation
will hold another meeting tomorrow.
indicating that they are still reluctant
| to call a strike.
The Government is unceasing in its
organization to insure public service
and, under emergency powers. has closed
Regents Park to the public and is using
II as a clearing centre for market
produce. frozen meat and FISH. in the
same way that Hyde Park is being used
for the distribution of milk.
To days failure to reach a settlement.
cannot properly be described az break
down of negotiations, because there have
been no actual negotiations so far as
the Government Is concerned. 1t is
rather a failure OF efforts at mediation
between the National Union of Railway
Men and the Government It Is learned
that Premier Lloyd George was in the
! conference room at Downing street or
Wednesday night for only few min
utes-at the beginning and end of the
conference. The rest Of the time was
occupied in talk among the delegates
! themselves.
| short interviews with the Premier who,
however, discussed the situation at
length with the transport workers depu-
tation alone. These discussions have
been conducted on a friendly basis, the
Premier inviting his guests to tea.
Another Conference To-day.
Robert Williams, general secretary OF
the Transport Workers Union, an
nounced tonight that he would geek an
other conference with the Premier to-
morrow, and there would be a meeting
Of the executives OF the various unions
involved to consider future course Of
action.
| T1oth A. p-g,,,a gtniat.r "a Caorat a ~
Thomas issued statements, which were
shown on every motion picture screen to-
night. setting forth briefly the respective
attitudes of the Government and the
union. Lloyd Georges screen message
read:
The Government Is not nghting
trades unions, which are recognized
factor of the Industrial life of the
country. The Government Is fighting
to prevent extremists of any indds-
trial body from gaining their ends by
attacking the life OF the community
and so bringing untold misery upon
thousands of innocent people,
The message OF the raiiwaymen
through Secretary Thomas, read;
The railwaymen are not fighting
the community. have always done
| DeSI 10 dNOlu ulu Oh
this occasion. But those who wanted
to fight labor rendered my efforts
Intellectual. We are fighting for the
lowest paid wage earners against a
conspiracy to lower wages, II the
wages Of the railwaymen are reduced
other trades will follow. This is only
the first battle In the campaign. and
the Government has thrown all its
weight against the men.
We all fought to free England. the
railwaymen played their part in the
struggle. We were promised an Eng
land worthy OF our sacrifices. 1t is
your fight as we'll as ours to obtain 1t.
We want your help.
Negotiations stil Going On.
The deputation OF the transport work
ers which met Lloyd George, con
ferred with the executive board OF thu
National Union OF Railwaymen in tn,
forenoon, discussing plans for further
negotiations. Harry Gosling. one of tn,
transport workers leaders, declared tina
he was perfectly satisfied with the nego
tiations so far as they had gone. c. T
Cramp, president of the RailwaymenI
organization, said:
The negotiations are not definitely
severed but we have no progress to
report.
/ Sir Eric Geddes. Minister of Trans