The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-22
TWO BIG UNIONS TO
AID MINERS STRIKE
Continued from First Page.

doubtedly the solidarity OF the workers
as shown by the action OF the railway
and transport workers. comes some
what as surprise to the public, because
the minersh strike IS unpopular with
almost the entire community. The seem
ing inconsistency is explained by some
OF the labor leaders as due to the uni
versal belief among the workers that
the Government under pressure of big
business interests has decided that a
halt must be called 10 the continual in
creases in wages.
Robert Smille the miners leader.
speaking in Glasgow tonight, accused
the Government of desiring to remove
the hindrances TO cheaper and greater
production which were found in the pres
ent powers of the trade unions. He
promised that If increased wages We're
granted the miners would cooperate with
the owners and increase the output by
twenty million tons In four or five
months.
Premier Lloyd George appeared in the
House late tonight. land, replying TO
Arthur Hendersons question made
statement to the effect that he had been
engaged for two days in discussions
with the parties concerned In the coal
strike. with favorable progress. but he
continued:
II cannot withhold from the House
the fact that the very precipitate ac-
ton OF the railway executives has en-
barrassed the negotiations. 1t is
great misfortune and has added seri
ously to the difficulties
1T was interference exceedingly rash,
exceedingly indiscreet and apparently
not desired by anybody Action of that
kind encourages irresponsible sections
x1rhn "A al Lon
! hope the discussions will be resumed
later, but it would be very much easier
If they were left to the miners them
selves"
The Premier said the discussions had
not been actually broken off, and so
far as the Government was concerned
every endeavor would still be made to
reach a peaceable solution.
]. H. Thomas followed in brief
speech, in which he paid tribute to the
Premier's conciliatory tone despite the
aggravated situation. and expressed the
hope that the Premier would not allow
new developments to prevent a con-
tinuance of the negotiations. Mr..
Thomas declared himself anxious TO
find a bridge despite the opposition
from his own side.
The effect of the strike is appreciably
felt by the various unions affiliated with
the National Transport Workers Fed
Grafton, the members of which are being
thrown out of employment in increasing
numbers The reports to-day of the
stoppage Of work from various branches
Of business were serious. From $4,000
to 100000 transport workers are idle and
hundreds of thousands of other workers
in other callings have been Obliged to re-
main idle, according to Secretary Robert
Williams who declared:
Tt would appear better to widen the
issue instantly and get the dispute set
tied in preference to allowing ourselves
to drift without either compass or rud-
der
At midday thousands connected with
the shipping industry were idle. The
Clyde area was especially affected. At
Newcastle, Hull, Cardiff and other coal
ports the work of loading vessels de-
creased and IL is expected that unem-
2loyment will be intensified as the sup
plies of fuel diminish. Many steamers
are lying idle for lack OF cargoes and the
eeafaring community on the northeast
coast is already beginning to suffer hard
ship. In northwest Durham several
Durgaries have occurred.
The feeling has become acute in va
rious places. The executive committee
of the Liverpool and North Wales Coun-
ell Of the National Union Of Railway
men has adopted a resolution recon-
rnending that immediate instructions be
given to members to refuse to handle
coal Of any description and that in the
event of failure TO reach settlement
before October "a n national strike shall
be called.