The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-20
BELIEVE END
OF ENGLISH
STRIKE NEAR
Negotiations Which May Set
lie Strike of British Miners
Were Today Believed to be
Assured.
PREPARE PROPOSALS
(By Associated Press)


LONDON, Oct Negotiations
which might settle the strike OF Brit
ish miners were today believed to be
assured. Government officials and
labor leaders who outlined their posi-
tions before the opening session of
parliament have shown their desire to
reach an understanding. Belief was
general today that proposals were IN
preparation by both sides.
Wants Final Settlement.
Premier Lloyd George has definite
ly declared he is ready to enter into
negotiations but he has laid emphs sis
on the fact that the government wants
a final settlement of the differences
which brought about a cessation OF
work in British mines last Saturday.
He has stated plans for a tentative
wage increase pending a complete ad-
justment would not be satisfactory as
that method of meeting the present sit
uation would threaten trouble later.
Coal production he holds, must be aug
mented, and he may submit some pro-
posals which will deal with this phase
of the situation.
This mornings newspapers COM
ment appreciatively on the calm and
dignified tone yesterday in the House
of Commons, and the absence Of pro-
vocative words. This fact is regarded
as a good omen, journals maintaining
that although the deadlock still exists,
the debate has cleared the stage for
compromise.
Insist on Production.
One possible basis for a settlement
is set forth by the Daily Mail, which
says If the miners are willing to agree
that an advance of two shillings given
now may be withdrawn at the end of
December. If production is not In
creased by that time, the government
will consider such a proposal. The
government however, will infleXibly
insist upon it's position regarding pro-
duction, the newspaper says.
Wales Expects End.
One of the strongest rumors rela-
time to a possible settlement comes
from the South Wales coal field, which
has been recognized as the main CEN
ter of disaffection and extremism. A
Cardiff dispatch to the London Times
says it is stated there the end of the
deadlock may be reached in three or
four days.
In the meantime reports of the clos
ing of industries accumulated; coupled
with assertions that workers in other
trades who are losing employment
through the miners strike are showing
resentment. This is said to be es-
pecially noticeable in the Middlesbor-
ough Iron and Steel district and the
neighboring parts of northeastern Eng
land.
Railway Men Met.
The executive committee of the Ma
tional union of railway men planned
to meet today and it was believed GER
tain the attitude to be assumed by this
organization toward the miners strike
would be considered. Two weeks ago
the committee decided by the margin
of one Vote, not to join in the strike,
may not be final.
The Transport Workers Union has
not taken definite action on the situa-
tion as yet, but there is some appre-
hension that it may join forces with
the coal diggers.
May Strike In Sympathy
The London branch Of the CONNER
cial transport workers union has al
ready voted to strike out of sympa-
thy with the miners, but the strike
order was held up until after today
meeting of that body. Members OF
this union throughout the country
have been notified, however, that they
may be ordered out and should be
prepared for a cessation of work. A
walk-out of this union would involve
upwards of 100000 men in various
parts of England.
Shipment Curtaled
Further curtailment of shipping ser.
vices is impending One daily boat
instead of three will run between
Dover and Calais and daily service be-
tween New Haven and Dieppe will
be supplanted by tri-weekly sched
ule. This greatly reduce facilities for
travel between France and England.
In addition at least one line OF
steamers plying between Eastern Eng
land ports and Hamburg, Rotterdam
and Antwerp will be suspended entire
ly.