Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-22
STRIKE THREAT BY
RAILWAY MEN ADDS
| TO BRITISH CRISIS
Attempt to Force Govern
ment to Negotiate With
Coal Miners.
CABINET DISCUSSES ACUTE
SITUATION UNTIL LATE HOUR
Lloyd George Declares Precipi-
tate Action Is Serious
Complication.
WANTS PEACEABLE SOLUTION
Premier Reports Favorable Prog
rcss, Despite Attitude Of the
Transport Workers.
WANTS PEACEABLE SOLUTION
Premier Reports Favorable Prog
rcss, Despite Attitude Of the
Transport Workers.
NY Associated Press. !


LONDON. Oct. :1.-Tho Cabinc:
discussed tonight the grave situation
arising out OF the threat of the rail-
road and transport workers to force
the government to negotiate with the
miners. Whether any decision was
reached was not disclosed up 10 1880
o'clock.
, Two grave questions are exercising
the political and industrial world. the
first. to what extent the labor lend
ers arc losing control of the workers:
second. whether political. crisis and
an appeal to the country will devcl-
op out OF the miners dispute.
II is stated that James Henry
Thomas, general secretary OF the Ma
tional Union of Railwaymen. has ex-
ertcd the greatest efforts to get tho
action taken by tho railway men
postponed for n few days. but that HIS
Influence was overbornc.
Government to Stand Pat.
Premier Lloyd George was In In
formal conversation with some OF the
labor leaders today. but little hope
seems to be entertained that tho gov
trnment will rccede from Its position,
insisting upon an. increasing output,
or submission OF the dispute to an
Independent tribunal ms n condition
for an Increase in wages.
Even had the government been in
ciincd co recedc from this position, 1t
Is felt that It could hardly do so now
In -the face OF the ra.lwaymen,s
threat. Undoubtedly the solidarity of
The workors, as shown by the action
OF the railway and transport workers,
comes somewhat as n surprise to tho
public, because the miners strike is
unpopular with almost the entire
community. The seeming inconsis-
tency is explained by some Of the
labor leaders as'duc to tho universal
belief among the workers that the
government, under pressure of big
business interests. has decided that n
halt must be called to the continual
increases in wages.
The effect of the coal strike is ap-
preciably felt by the various unions
affiliated with the National Transport
Workers Federation, tho members Of
which are being thrown out OF en-
pioSment in increasing numbers by
the local stoppage.
StoppaEe of Work Serious.
The reports OF the stoppage OF
work from various branches, which
were laid before the executive com
mittee on reassemblng today were
serious.
At midday thousands connected
with the shipping industry were idle.
The Clyde area was especially nf-
fected. At Newcastle. Hull, Cardirf
and other coal ports. the work of
loading vessels decreased and it is
expected unemployment will be inten-
sihed rs the supplies of fuel dimin-
ish. Many steamers are lying idle
for lack OF cargoes, and the seafaring
community on the northeast coast Is
already beginning to suffer hardsh,ps.
In Northwest Durham eevera, bur
glaries have occurred.
The absence of Premier Llovd
George and Andrew Bonar Law from
the Commons debate tonight on the
question OF unemployment was much
remarked. but the inference was that
1t was connected with the industrial
crisis. the Premier appeared in the
honse late at night. and replying to
Arthur Henderson's question, made a
statement TO the effect that he had
been engaged for two days in discus
sions with the parties concerned in
the coal strike. with favorable prog
rcss. but. he continued:
Calls II Great Misfortune.
II cannot withhold from the House
the fact that the very precipitate ac-
ton OF the railway executive has
embarrassed tho negotiations. 1t is
great misfortune. and has added
seriously to the difficulties.
1T was interference exceedingly
rash. exceedingly indiscreet and ap-
parently not desired by anybody. Ac-
ton of that kind encourages ire
sponsible sections who are behind
the responsible leaders. hope the
discussions will be resumed later,
but 1t woE!a be very much easier il
they were left to the miners them
selves.
Lloyd George expressed regret that
ne was unable to give moro satis-
factory account
The Premier said the discussions
had not been actually broken OF, and
so far as the government was con-
-