New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-29
Mine Crisis
Casts Shadow
Over England
Majority of Workers Vote
I'm Favor of Strike, but
Other Labor and Public
OpinionC Condemns Action
Government to Stand Pat
Indignation Aroused by Fact
That Ia Per Cent ofThose
alloting We're Boys
BY Frank Getty

From The T,1bune's European Bureau
Copyright 1920 New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Aug. 2s.-The shadow of a
threatened coal strike Is darkening
England's domestic outlook. Although
official figures will not be available
until Monday, there is no question but
that the miners who have been ballot
ing this week have voted By the neces-
sary two-thrds majority in favor OF
laying down their tools next month.
All of the eountry's resources, tan
gihle and intangible. are being mobil-
ICED to avert, if possible, and if not, to
meet the contingency. Public opinion
never was more opposed TO national
strike than on the present issue, even
though one of the miners demands is
for a reduction in the price OF domestic
coal of more than 81 a ton.
ii Per Cent Are Boys
Public Indignation against the threat
ened action of the miners is height
ened by the fact that IA per cent of the
members Of the miners federation who
are voting on the present issue are
boys under eighteen years old. I'm
official reports are that the pit lads are
voting almost unanimously for strike,
and it is felt that they are doing this
without having clear knowledge OF
what g cessation Of work will involve.
1t is suggested even that the boys are
voting to lay down their tools more in
a spirit of lets have holiday" than
anything else.
A strike would involve loss to Che
country of four and a half million tons
of coal a week, of an approximate pit
head value of S30,00000 in respect to
coal for inland consumption and OF
nearly S1O,000,0o0 WITH respect TO coal
delivered for export. There would be
loss to the miners in wages OF more
than $4,000 900 a week. Moreover,
there would result 4 Widespread dis
location of industry and scarcity Of
domestic coal for an indefinite period.
A further rise in the cost of living
inevitably will follow, together with
great hardship for the poor during the
coming winter
Government TO Stand Firm
The government is determined not
to weaken in the face Of the demands
of the miners. 1t is believed that
there can be no possible compromise
on the proposal Tor a reduction il tire
price of domestic coal. AS for the de-
mand for wage increase Of two shlll-
ings a week, it is suggested that the
government might offer percentage
advance in wages with the exclusion
of any fiat rate advance. This will en-
able the government to point out that
It's offer would tend to remove existing
inequaltief between the remuneration
Of a coal getter and that Of d.
laborer, and that also it would enable
the consumer 10 obtain cheaper coal
under sound economic conditions.
Such an offer would hardly prove
acceptable to the miners. However,
there is The question of the attitude
sdered The miners by them elves can
hardly hope to win their demands by
a national strike 1t is believed
doubtful whether they would attempt
q strike unless assured OF the support
of the other unions, particularly of the
other two members Of the triple ALI
ance the railway men and the trans
port workers.
The officials OF these unions are
Withholding their cards until next
weeks meetings. On Tuesday the lead
ers of the miners federation will con-
suit with TIE heads Of the triple ALI
ance. On Thursday the miners will
have conference and Saturday there
will be I Getting of the trades union
congress at Portsmouth.
Already there are hopeful signs that
the other unions are not ready to sup
port the miners If they failed to give
their support. the cause Of the miners
would be crippled before the strike be
gan. II the strike is called with com
plete trade union support, however, the
government, backed BY public opinion
will fight it with all its resources.