New-York tribune., 1920-12-21
ldleness W ave
Threatens all
OfIloydGeorgge
Million Already Unemployed
and More Losing Jobs;
Acute Distress Spreading
and Breeding Bad Temper
Prompt Relief Demanded
Labor Party Presses for
Russian Trade to Open
international Ch ann e | 5
By Arthur S. Draper

Fron, The TribHNc's European Bureou
copy-'ght 1890. New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Dec. 20 Unless the gov
ernment presents in the parliamentary
debate tomorrow q comprehen sive
scheme for dealing with the swiftly
growing unemployment problem, it
may prove the beginning of a political
crisis.
The approach Of the end Of the year
from envialle position. divided on
some questions of policy and thrown
on the defensive in others.
The unemployment situation con-
tains all the elements which go toward
causing a serious economic, ;ocial and
worse than it was L;,ring tne railway
:tsike OF last wear, or in the coal strike
last October. Previous crises have been
passed by the employment OF pallia-
tives, but no cure was effected and now
the government will be compelled to
ta-e drastic measures.
1t is problem which does not affect
London alone, for it has become nation
wide. There is no que tion of nation
aization or Bolshevism involved. al
though the acute distress has bred
nasty temper in some areas.
100000 Ex-Solders Idle
More than 100000 -ex-soldiers. many
o. them with dependents are without
work. In London alone there are about
10000 men and women out of employ
ment, and in the entire country it is
1.-+ lima tod t.,4
employed,
Within the last fortnight unemploy-
ment has increase ed amazingly. lespite
the fact thet more workers were re-
CURED to take care of the Christmas
trade. In London $4,000 have lost their
positions in the last two weeks. What
makes the situation decidedly more
nenaciDg is the inevitable contrast at
thls SEASON when the stores are filed
with Christmas goods abundance on
N one side anG real distress on the
other.
Leaders Fear Disorders
Labor party leaders. including such
moderntes as J. II. Thomas and ]. K.
.lynes, who intend to open Tomorrow
debate N the House of Comm ons, pre-
diet disorders Of serious nature un-
-~-'S t'iS ( SVFtif.ittN4b OiltrS
n adequate reliei measure. Some of
e eXtremi IS appar to be playing with
re, especially those who are encourage
s. blo0dless revolution
i IS understood that the government
'lans to cal! for the appointment of a
esntral committee, composed of inhu-
entlal business men. with local COM
mlttees in all important population
centers througho ut the country The
organization would not be unlike that
developed by the food ministry at an
other time Of national peril. In addi-
zion. il IS Planned to begin work on
number OF national Improvements and
g NIKE unemployment grants to ex-
soldiers
White hitherto it has been the labor
panty which has criticized the govern
ment for delay in reaching an agree
ment fer the resumption of -rade with
Soviet Russia, manufacturers and ex-
9orfers are now making similar at
tacks
A!l Of the great financial interests Of
Lo-don are watching these negotia-
tons with tfe closest attention and in
quarters previously antagonistc to any
relations between Britain and the Boil
shew,ki the government is now being
encouraged u make terms. as many
believe that opening Of the trade chah-
ne's with Russia would stimulate in
dustTics here and decrease unemploy-
Ment.