The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-20


Cs1yvt0h,, 1920. by THE NEw YORK HnEAlD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London, Oct. ID.
England has settled down to great
industrial battle.
When the House of Commons re-
assembled to-day miners representa-
tives therein insisted that the only
way to end the strike was to grant
Immediately the wage increase Of
two shillings q day demanded by the
miners.
To this Premier Lloyd George re-
piled, declaring that the only way to
settle the strike was to make the in
crease in wages dependent on q larger
output from the coal mines.
However. despite this seeming gulf
between the Government and the
with many persons. The very modera-
ton and spirit of conciliation In which
the Premier spoke on the strike sit
nation could only be construed as indi-
eating the Governments willingness to
listen to any sincere scheme Of settling
the strike.
Would Consider Any scheme.
Indeed, the Premier emphasized the
fact that the Government would fear
lessly, honestly and sincerely examine
any scheme for a settlement provided
the public interests were safeguarded
by It. However. he made II clear that
10 mi, ha
granted only in the face OF increased
production.
AZ the conclusion or the Premier's
speech a discussion ensued between
Lloyd George and the labor leaders on
William Adamson's proposal that the
Government summon a meeting of the
miners executive and coal owners
Arthur Henderson. who was chairman
of the Labor party in the Commons for
several years. thought the Premier could
not have q more favorable moment for
bringing the parties together again
Lloyd George replied that he wanted to
consult his colleagues and did not desire
another premature conference.
While the Commons was considering
the matter of the strike the Cabinet held
meeting to consider the demand by
William Brace, Labor member. for
granting the two shillings day in
crease Immediately pending the review
of the whole case by permanent wage
board for settlement. Meanwhile, too
Labor members held an Important con-
ference in the committee room OF the
House.
After these meetings and the Pre-
mier's speech in the House the consensus
was that negotiations would be resumed
for settlement OF the strike very soon.
The Premier, in referring TO Mr..
Braces proposal, criticised the sugges-
tion. arguing that IL az the end of the
year 1t was found that the output had
not been increased and an attempt was
made to withdraw the increase In wages
there would be another strike. The Gov
ernment was not entitled to keep the
country in suspense all that time, he
said. The Government sincerely desired
90 lind an Issue to the dispute.
shadow OF Railroad strike.
At the same time II was evident that
labor was most determined and for the
FIRST time there was seriously projected
across the situation the shadow OF a
railroad strike. James Henry Thomas
secretary of the National Union Of Rail-
waymen, who is known as the most con-
servative OF the railroad leaders, de-
ciared before the House that the last
time the executive committee of the
reilwaymens union considered the strike
question a walkout was averted by only
one vote. The next time they voted, he
predicted. strike would be certain.
v. Hartshorn. Labor member, admit
ted that the output OF the coal mines
meant either national bankruptcy or a
return to national prosperity, as the case
of tonnage might be. Both the Premier
and Sir Robert Horne showed that un-
less Great Britain had coal to throw into
the balance OF international trade this
balance would swing permanently, even
fatally, against her.
But in so far as was indicated to-
night tho miners. I'm declining the Gov
ernments scheme for increased coal
mine production. believe the scheme
would fall through the efforts Of the
mine owners to prevent an increase In
the output of the properties and also
that they have no intention OF reducing
their demands.
Must Not Sow Discomfort.
The Premier began his speech by say
ing: I'VE must settle this so as not TO
SOW seeds OF discomfort not only In the
mines but in every other Industry. The
only right way of settlement In one as
cu-tng an increase In production. an in
crease in output. I admit that we must
offer inducements TO the men laboring
necessarily. day after day. I am not
,fisparaging the miners patriotism when
1 say they must have an Incentive to in
crease production. and they must feel
that unless the production OF the mines
}s increased they will not themselves be
benefited.
THE men across the chamber tindi-
Continued on Third PoQs.
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