The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-23
BRITISH R. R. men
POSTPONE STRIKE
Delay of WaIkOut Was Asked
by Miners.
New Conference With Lloyd
George Is Arranged.
TpAMcDnDT WnDVCpc DAILY
TRANSPORT WORKERS BALK
Much Depends on General
Labor Congress Wednesday.
Speculation Rife as to Action by
Parliament Monday.

London, Oct. 23.-The nationwide
railway strike scheduled to start at
midnight Sunday as a sympathetic
out was postponed this evening at the
request of the miners.
The request was made at a joint
conference of the miners and railway
mems executive boards, it was under
stood.
The reason assigned by the miners
for their request was that Premier
Lloyd George had invited them to par
ticipate in a conference to attempt a
settlement of the strike and they did
not wish to be embarrassed in their
negotiations by threat of a railway
strike.
On Advice of Miners.
The official statement issued by the
miners said that. acting on their ad
vice, the railway workers had suspend
ed their sympathetic strike. "to give
every opportunity for an honorable
settlement" The suspension. it was
said would continue during the period
of negotiations between the miners
ard the government.
J. H. Thomas general secretary of
the national union of railway men,
announced to the press that he was
STRIVING for the immediate convoca-
ton of a conference between the op-
posing forces.
Informal conversations between the
government and individual leaders of
the striking British coal miners were
resumed tbs morning These discus
SONS followed conference betwee-
Premier Lloyd George and several
other members of the government in
which the secretary of the miners
organization was one of the partici-
pants.
Representatives of the mine owners
also conferred with the government.
New Turn Was Expected.
Two events were scheduled today
which were expected to afford an op-
portunity to avert the strike of railway
workers. scheduled for midnight Sum
day and open the way for settlement
of the miners strike
They were: Meeting of the executive
council of the miners federation, pre-
llminary % joint conference with the
t-NNNd Nv GpuuCll OF the railway union.
JOINT conference of railway mems and
miners representatives to discuss the
formers plans for settlement of the
late s differences with the govern
uent.
r. Il. Men In Battle.
Altho the railway workers. doni-
mated by the radical element, voted to
go out in a sympathetic strike, they
were said to be facing serious dissen-
SION within their ranks because of the
refusal of ]. H. Thomas. their secre-
tary. TO lead such a demonstration
This situation led certain officials
and press to predict the railway men
HlH fnd means today to induce
TIE miners to reopen their case.
TEomas's refusal to sign the strike
notices sent out was understood to
have been based on his belief calling
a sympathetic strike would virtually
wreck the union.
Government Optimistic.
The belief was expressed in official
circles the transport workers-the
third division of the triple alliance
would refuse officially to call a sym
pathetic strike. altho 5000 were out
in Yorkshire as the result of a local
dispute.
The Chronicle declared the miners
were careful during their preparation
tions so the knot they tied could easily
be unraveled.
The Post believed railway men, will
find an excuse for pretending negotia-
tfons have been reopened. altho An
drew Bonar Law. speaking in COM
mons yesterday, refused pointedly to
describe unofficial conversations as
negotiations and avoided any ground
for suggesting the railway mems
threat had influenced the government.
Emergency Bill Monday
Parliament will reconvene Monday
\ TO pass emergency legislation. 1t was
searned authoritatively at the board
OF trade that the government would
make no advances before tomorrow.
expecting the railway workers to re-
scind their strike notices.
The parliamentary committee of the
trades union congress has summoned
a conference of Representatives of the
affiliated unions for Wednesday to
discuss settlement of the miners
strike. All branches of the electrical
workers union viii meet Monday to
decide on a sympathetic strike.
A dangerous situation admittedly
was developing among the dock work
ers. Employers were discharging thu
sands as a result of the coal strike