New-York tribune., 1920-10-21
Leaders for Compromise,
but Workers Demand
Walk-Out Unless Truce
Is Reached in a Week
Food Still Ample,
But Prices Rise
Conferences Continue,
Each Side Reluctant to
Lead Toward Peace
By Arthur S. Draper

From The Triburc'S Europcdu Bnrecu
Copyright. 1890. New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, Oct. 20. - While confer
enccs took place to-day in connection
with the miners strike there was no
appreciablc advance toward a settle
ment, and there is evident strong re-
luctancc on the part of interested par
ties TO take the first step toward open
ing negotiations.
AS result of a meeting of the lead
ers of the railway and transport work
ers the situation appeared still graver.
All labor leaders are urging ncgotia-
tions looking to compromise, but the
mass of workers are inclined to sup
port the striking miners by laying
down their tools They favor SYM
pathetic strike unless the colliery
strike is settled within week.
Transport workers to the number of
100000 who were about to strike for an
increase in wages probably will not do
so now, as the employers have init
mated that they are about to meet the
demands.
The Parliamentary committee of the
Labor party held a long conference
but decided not to intervene unless re-
quested by the miners federation. The
government has taken pains to inform
the public that it is still willing tc
consider any suggestion for a settle
ment provided it is indorsed by the
miners federation.
100000 Out in Sheffield
Paralysis of the industry of the
country is spreading rapidly. Closed
plants in Sheffield alone have thrown
100000 workers out Of employment.
Street lighting has been reduced in
many places to war time proportions
Many cinemas have closed. Trunk line
train service has been much curtailed
and several Continental trains have
been suspended. Housewives are begin
ming to experience diificulties t. which
they were accustomed during the last
years of the war. While food is still
plentiful, prices are beginning TO rise
Comparatively little disorder has
been reported from any Of the mining
districts. although Tonypandy, the
scene of many riots in former coal
strikes, has been rather lively. Severa
hundred miners gathered in the streets
there last night and sang revolutionary
songs When the police. attempted tc
disperse them the miners hurled stones
through the windows of number OF
shops.
LONDON, Oct. 20 (By The Associated
| Press) 1t is still hoped that the pro
posal Of William Brace, president o1
the South Wales Miners Federation
may eventually lead to renewed negoti
ations to settle the miners strike, but
it is admitted that it must first be
adopted officially by the miners eXecu
tive, which so far has been impossible
as the members of the executive arc
scattered all over the country.
Leaders Oppose Sabotage
| Advocacy by some extremists of with
drawing the pumping staffs from the
mines finds few supporters among th'
miners generally. Robert Smillie ant
other leaders are strongly against it.
The National Union Of Railwaymen
the executive of the transport worker:
and the parliamentary committee o
the Trades Union Congress all me
this morning to consider their atttud,
toward the strike. The greatest i'm
portance attached to the railwaymen'
conference, with power to declare
the matter to the union members.
After Approximately two hours o
discussion, James Henry Thomas, gen
eral secretary of the railwaymen'
union, said the whole situation had beer
reviewed and adjournment taken unit
tomorrow. The executive Of the trans
cir ny