The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-22
Railroad and Transport Workers
Threatened Strike in Sym
pathy With Miners.
Union LEADERS HELPLESS
Increasing Thousands Are BE-
ing Thrown Out OF Work
as Result of Strike.

Tondon. Oct. 21-(By The A. p
,rha cabinet discussed tonight the
grave situation out of the threat OF
~ railroad and transport workers to
force the government to negotiate
with the miners. Whether any soe-
cision was reached was not disclosed
up to 1853 o'clock.
Two grave questions are exercising
the political and industrial world lhe
first. to what extent the labor leao-
ers are losing control OF the workers,
second. whether political crisis and
an anneal to the country will develop
out of the miners dispute.
II is stated that James Henry
Thomas. general secretary of the ma
tional union of railroad men has ex-
erted the greatest efforts to get the
action taken by the railway men post
poned for few days, but that ms
influence was overborne.
Premier Lloyd George was in lnfor :
NAL convention with some OF the
labor leaders today but little nope
seems to be entertained that the gov
ernment will recede from its position
insis.i ing upon an increased output, Oh
submission of the dispute TO an lhue-
endent tribunal as a condition for an
increase in wages.
Fven had the government been in
clined to recede from TINS position
n is felt il could hardly do so now II
,be face OF the railroadmen's threat
l ndoubtedly solidarity of the workers
comes somewhat as surprise to the
nubIlc. because the miners strike Is
unpopular with almost the entire
community. The seeming inconsis
tency is explained by some OF ths
labor leaders as due to the universe
belief among the workers that tht
Government under pressure or DIS
business interests has decided that
halt must be called to the continua
increase in wages.
Robert Smile, the miners ieauer
speaker in Glasgow tonight accuses
the government of desiring TO re-
move the hindrances to cheaper anS
greater production which were toun'
in the present powers OF the trau
Unions. He promised that If Increases
wages were granted. the miners woul'
ca-onerate with the owners and In
crease the output by twenty million
TONS in four or five months.
The effect of the coal strike is ap
nreciably felt by the various union
affiliated with the national transpoi
workers federation, the members
which are being thrown out OF EN-
nloyment in increasing numbers b
the coal stoppage.
The reports of the stoppage OF wor
from various branches, which Wei
laid before the executive commltls
on reassembling today were seriou
From $4,000 to 100000 workers al
idle and hundreds of thousands
other workers in other calllnss nay
been Obliged to remain idle. accors
ing TO Secretary Robert Williams WI
declared:
"It would appear better TO WIGS
the issue instantly and get the dlspu
settled, in preference TO allowing on
selves to drift without either compa
or rudder.
At midday thousands 'connect
with the shipping industry We're io
The Cycle Aera.was especially elec.e
At New Castle. Hull, Cardin ana oth
coal ports the work of loading vesss
decreased and it is expected that u
employment will be intensified as
sun,,,ias of fuel diminish. Many stear
ers are LYING idle for lack OF cargo'
ard fha sea -faring community on I
northeast coast is already beginni
~ suffer hardships. In Northws
DURHAM. several burglaries have
Cured.
The absence of Premier Lilo
4 George and Andrew Bonar Law Ire
the commons debate tonight on
question of unemployment was mu
remarked but the Inference was u
II was connected with the industr
crisis. The premier appeared In
house late at night, and replying
Arthur Henderson's question. mace
statement to the effect that he 2
been engaged for two days In d
cussions with the parties concerned
the coal strike, With favorable pre-
ress. but. he continued:
II cannot withhold from the ho'
the fact that the very precipitate
ton OF the railroad executive has e
passed the negotiations. 1t is gr
misfortune and has added seriously
the difficulties.
TT was interference exceeoin
rash exceedingly indisereet and
uarently not desired by anybody.