Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-17
STRIKE LAUNCHED.
DESPITE PREM|ER'S
. STERN OPPOSITION
Million Men Leave British
Mines TO Enforce
Wage Demands.
ENTIRE INDUSTRIAL LIFE OF
COUNTRY Is FACING TIE-UP
Extremists Reported Active in
Effort to Precipitate
Disorders.

LONDON. Oct IG.-With a million
miners out of the pits tonight, thou
sands o: dock and Industrial work
crs already out Of employment as 7
consequence. and the transport work
ers and railroad men called to mc.:
soon to discuss n Sym thctic strike.
Great Britain faces one of the great
est Industrial upheavals in its his
tory. in the opinion Of labor and po-
litical leaders who discussed the
situation today.
Reports from all Industrial centers
tonight are not rcassuring. while port
officials say that shipping will be
tied up within week. The mos,
hopeful message came from Shelf
field. where, /, is believed, there is
enough coal TO las; three weeks. At
other ccniers one weeks supply IS
the limit;
DID Not Wish to Strike.
The statement that the men struck
against the advice of most of their
leaders was confirmed to some ex-
tent by the attitude OF many who
left the pits. They said they did
not understand that voting against
the datum line" meant n strike, and
II is clear tina; great many mis-
understood the unfortunate phrase
as ]. Thomas, general secretary o.
the National Union OF Hallway Men.
called II in a speech. Mr.. Thoma,
admonished the ra!Iroaders 10 listen
to the advice OF their leaders. which
would be given after the meeting
OF the delegates Wednesday.
y different note was struck. how
ever. by the South Wales branch OF
the miners federation. which called
meeting for next Friday TO recon :
mend that II the strike was not set
tied by October 30. the pump men
and ohr mploys
and other employees remaining al
work should be called out.
Premier 10 Take Hand Tuesday.
II is Indicated tonight that Pre-
mier Lloyd George will take no han!
In the matter before Tuesday, when
Parliament meets and undoub;edly
Will discuss the situation. No dis
turbarccs are reported and no troops
have been sent to the mining cen
tiers. but they are held In readiness
London's few electric signs and
window displays are dSrk tonight by
order OF the coal controller. and the
races. for which special trims are
usually operated. have been Cancelled
for next week
Triple Alliance to Meet.
Officials OF the triple alliance
which includes miners. transport
workers and railway employees, will
hold a meeting later to review the
situation. II is difficult to ascertain
the exact attitude OF the triple al
lance. as an organization, toward
the strike. While many of its Off
Gals are known to sympathize with
the miners, it is regarded doubtful
that the other two branches OF the
present at least.
The Food Ministry has announced
that IL the strike is confined to the
miners there will be an adequate
supply OF foodstuns. but that IL /,
extends 10 other Industries drastic
rationing plans may be necessary.
The only food so far affected has
been sugar, consumption of which
was ordered reduced by half at once.
An emergency order issued by the
Board of Trade asks the public to
cut down consumption of coal, gas
and electricity.
Radicals Are Busy.
Radicals are busy. The extremists
who brought about the final deci-
sion to walk out are encouraging by
every means in their power Industrial
dislocation-with the too-eviden:
hope of precipitating disorders. On
the other hand, the mine owners, for
the most part. favor the showdown.
believing that with the sympathy OF
the general public heartily with
IContinued ON Second PaCc)