Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-04
NEW PARLIAMENT
MEETS IN CRISIS
Britain's Legislators Today
Begin Task of Compos-
ing Labor
HAS PLEDGED REFORMS

London, Feb 4.--The reconstruction
Parliament convencs today with a large
part of the country's workers attempt
ing to fake reconstruction into their
own hands.
As organization of the newly elected
legislative body gets under way, Great
Britain and ireland face the constantly
growing menace of a general strike.
which is admitted frankly BY many of
it's instigators TO be the first step toward
attempted specialization OF the pation's
industries under Bolshevistc regime.
Added to this situation was the en-
barrassing presence of the new Irish
Republic" which was declared formally
in the recent Sim Fein parliament
In Dublin. That the British Government
had not evinced in any way its inten-
lions toward this new neighbor only
added to the responsibilities of the new
reconstruction" Parliament
For week Parliament will devote
itself to organization work, including
the swearing in of members hearing of
contests, etc 1t will be opened for
mally February IL by King George.
Lloyd George Will Return
So important are the problems imme-
diately confronting Parliament that Pre-
mier Lloyd George despite the need Of
his presence at the Peace Conference.
will return to London the last of this
week TO confer with parliamentary lead
ers and direct formulation ofSa legisla-
tive program. The vital questions this
Parliament must pass on are:
Ratification of the peace treaty.
Settlement of general strikes.
Definition of its attitude toward
the Irish Republic
Adoption OF a general reconstruc-
tion program.
Under the last division is included the
problem of import restrictions, with
probable departure from the free trade
| policy; free land for soldiers; better
housing and working conditions, and
extension and maintenance of the mer.
chant marine.
Both Factions Pledged to Social Reform'
! Both the coalition and minority par
Nties are pledged to put through socio
| logical reforms thar VIII make tn,
country worthy of the herosm of th'
men who have fought for her sine,
1914"
The housing problem will be one o.
the first things to be considered. Par
liament will be asked to authorize til,
building of thousands of cottages within
easy access to the Industrial regions
These cottages will be sold to worlmer
on easy payments.
! A ministry of health is to be created
to supervise sanitary conditions in in
dustrial quarters and see that the work
ers' environment Is made more pleasant
The wage scale, it is hoped, will no
be allowed to drop back to its ante
bellum, hand-to-mouth level. Although
| there probably will be some difficulty il
fixing a minimum wage, it seems virtu
ally certain some figures will be agree,
on that will enable all worllmen to main
tain much higher standard of llvint
than hitherto has been possible Regu
lation of working hours will be debated
and some maximum working day viii
be fixed.
Labor Program Likely to BE First
| The Labor Ministry 10 helping de
moblized soldiers to find jobs. Whether
such assistance will develop into a regu
lar free labor agency, with branche.
throughout the country, or whether the
bulk Of this work will be done by this
trades unions, is still uncertain. Bott
schemes have their advocates.
Quick formation and passage of the
Industrial part CT the reconstruction
program, 1t is believed will. tend toward
amicable adjustment Of the labor crisis
There was some conjecture as 10
whether tho Sim Feiners elected 10
Parliament would attend in its lorna :
tory stages. II seemed to be foregone
conclusion that, If they did, they would
withdraw before the formal conyening
of the body next week. compelled them
to swear allegiance to the King. The
few Irish Nationa,ists elected will he
present, according TO T. p. O'Connor.
their leader
Labor Party Assumes Opposition
One of the notable features OF the
new Parliament will be the appearance
of the Labcr party as His Majesty's
opposition" The Laborites won this DO
sition In the last elections by polling a
plurality over the other non-coalition
parties, with the exception of the Sim
Feiners. The latter, however, are ex-
pected to relinquish their chance to lead
the opposition by refusing to sit.
Among the noted statesmen who were
defeated Tor reelection in the recent
elections are Herbert Asquith, time
Premier, and Arthur Henderson, Labor
leader