New-York tribune., 1920-10-20
Long Debate in Commons
Develops No Remedy;
Industrial Paralysis
Spreads Over Nation
Many Steamship
Lines Suspended
Lloyd George Shown to
Have Ample Support to
Enforce His Policies
By Arthur S. Draper


Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Oct. 19.-The miners
strike tonight is no nearer settlement
than before, despite day of parleying
and discussion. In the House of Com
mons the debate that began late this
afternoon and continued far into the
evening helped to clear the air, but
developed no plan of action. Premier
Lloyd George took an active part in
the discussions and members of all
parties joined in the debate.
Many conferences were held in the
course of the day, in the hope OF find
ing a basis of settlement, but, al
though there was much talk of media
ton, few real signs of breaking the
deadlock were apparent The only sug-
gestion that gave hope of sending the
miners back to the pits-a proposal
thet labor leaders outside OF the Min
ers' Federation persuade the strikers
to agree to some sort of compromise
which would meet the minimum of
their demands-wcnt on the rocks
when the leaders of the railway men
and transport workers refused to take
action before to-morrow's meeting of
the triple alliance.
Industrial Paralysis Spreads
Meanwhile the paralysis incident to
the strike was spreading over the coun-
try, with railway and steamship serv-
ice being affected along with other in
dustres. Unemployment has been sud-
denly and widely increased
In the debate in the House Of Com
mons the government took the initia-
tive, with Sir Robert Horne, president
Of the Board of Trade, reviewing the
whole situation. He emphasized the
seriousness of a coal famine and its
effects on employment. He defended
the governments course in refusing
to grant the miners demands in the
recent negotiations for an increase in
wages Of shillings a day. He added
that the government was keeping the
door Of settlement open, but that the
labor leaders were showing no inclina
ton to compromise.
From the opening Of the questions
right through the debate the house
was in a lively mood, and although the
governments supporters were In the
great majority the opposition was eX-
ceedlngly active and hostile. The first
vote showed that the government had
an overwhelming majority.
Early in the session Lloyd George
said that the coal strike had not only
added enormously to the numbers of
unemployed in the country, but had
lessened the governments power to
/ give effect to the schemes and plans
| which had been worked out to aid in
reducing the unemployment.
The debate brought out that the cost
cent higher than before the war, while
on September 1 it was 167 per cent
4 higher.
May Tie Up Debt Payments
The Chancellor of the Exchequer
announced that the strike might pre-
vent the paying off of the $3.50 600, ,o0n
1oatlng deDt, as had been planned for
/ his year.
ine debate reached no definite end.
Nhough 1t served to give the country
~ understanding of the whole situa-
uoh' NO settlement in the near future
seemed probable from the debate. With
1 demonstrations on the part of. the un-
ieapioyed taking place in different parts
III tne city and with the Irish debate
Cue 10 open tomorrow in the House of
loommons, the government finds itself
n an unenviable position, but Lloyd
HSeorge is certain of commanding a
sh,ge parliamentary majority and of
1Su'aihlhg an Endorsement for the steps
ue considers wisest.
Unannel steamships stopped this
nnag' nvrnlng' as we'll as most Of the lines
INNING to north and south Ireland,
me Dublin line being the only one
sspefs1ing. This means. that almost no
.SUostuffs ZOOS are coming from Ireland,
smcn normally ships Considerable cat
nw, butter and eggs. A reduction of
"ssn service will be made on Monday.
ionnnirty thousand iron workers and
m9 ,vuoo shoemakers were paid off this
a;n m;onrnlng and 100000 other workers
VIII De thrown out of employment to-
%.sfow. Some of the miners unions
1--we 1--we small balances and consequently
M%sy Will pay the strikers for only a
.ss.night .,.H at the most. Throughout the
t..Ae ss. area there is plenty of evidence
"a' large minority would prefer to
1 CONTINUED on paoe saven\