The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
Great BRITAIN
PREP AIRING FOR
BIC FINISH FIGHT
Lloyd George Places Entire
Blame for Strike on Miners.
Can Paralyze England'S Indus
tries Six Weeks.
MAY FORCE RAILROAD MEN OUT
Trend, However, Not to Call
Sympathetic Strikes.
Food RatiOning for Island May
Be Government Move.
Trend, However, Not to Call
Sympathetic Strikes.
Food RatiOning for Island May
Be Government Move.

London, Oct. 1e.-The British gov
ernment has accepted the challenge
of the striking coal miners for fight
to the finish.
AS a million men began leaving the
mines today in response to a strike
call, Premier Lloyd George issued an
official statement placing all the
blame upon the strikers and asking
cooperation of the people to avert an
industrial crisis.
The premier intimated the govern
ment was confident of the outcome
and urged there be no alarm. He
gave assurance of an equitable distri-
button of fuel supplies.
May BE Sympathy Strikes.
Possibility of a sympathetic strike
by the railway workers was seen in the
action of their executive committee
which declared, following a confer
ence today. SERIOUS consequences
would result from defeat of the min
ers, and called a special meeting of
delegates for Wednesday to decide
what action shall be taken.
Iron and steel plants, threatened
with ultimate pafalyzation were antic-
ipating this situation by closing down
voluntarily.
Premier Lloyd George issued a mes
sAge to the nation this afterpoon,
upon the miners and urging co-opera-
tion OF the public. He said there was
no need for alarm regarding fuel sup
plies and assured the people ample
and fair distribution will be made.
Cut Lights Is Order.
Electric signs and inside illumina-
tion of shops after they had closed
have been ordered discontinued.
Families have been intructed to reduce
their consumption of coal a hundred
weight a week. Industrial concerns
have been told to reduce consumption
of light and power.
The transport ministry has stated
officially railway passenger service
will not be curtailed until people have
been given an opportunity to reach
their homes. Then it will be cut down
from 10 to 20 per cent. Suburban and
city service will be maintained indefi-
nitely. Non-esscntial freight will be
cut down as the shortage is felt.
According to the board of trade,
public utilities can be continued three
months after production of coal
ceases.
Want Fuel From United States.
Coal exporters are negotiating for
purchases from the United States and
China to fulfill their contracts on the
continent.
winston Churchill, addressing
meeting Of liberals, deplored the coal
strike as "a dark shadow upon the
work of reconstruction.
THE strike is blow to the pros
perity of every industry in the United
Kingdom and to every struggling pop
ulation in Europe he said.
The stoppage of coal exports, while
serious to Great Britain as a whole
thru cutting off of government profits,
is probably even mvre serious for
countries like France. Italy and Bel
gium struggling against the devasta-
tion of war.
All Miners Quit Jobs.
Miners responded solidly to the call
for nationwide coal strike today
Reports from the coal fields de-
clared the men were swarming out of
the mines. many refusing to wait for
the change in shifts.
By midday, it was estimated that
more than a million miners and aux
Hilary workers had been affected
Only the pumping engineers and
maintenance staffs wore remaining in
the mines as an insurance against
flooding or deterioration of the ma
ehinery.
Admit Chance They'll Be Beaten.
Many of the men suflenly admitted
that I'VE are likely to be beaten" but
maintained they could stay out for at
least six weeks.
No disorders were anticipated, with
the possible exception of the more ex-
citable Welshmen. but the stubborn
ness of the northerners and the Scots
was expected to embitter industry for
many months.
Iron and steel plants in Yorkshire
were reported closing down.
Twenty thousand workers in the
Teeside district were expected to be
idle by Monday.
Triple Alliance to Help.
Officials of the triple alliance, which
includes miners, transport workers and
railway employees, will hold a meeting
later in the week to review the situa-
ton. 1t is difficult to ascertain the
exact attitude of the triple alliance as
an organization toward the strike.
dispatch from Liverpool today
said there are no reserve stock of coal
available for bunlSering purposes. In
view of this, it was believed. one of
the holding up OF shipping
May Ration Foods.
The food ministry has announced if
the strike Is confined to the miners.
there will be an adequate supply of
foodstuffs. but if it extends to other
! industries. drastic rationing plans may
be necessary. The only food so far
affected has been sugar.
An emergency order issued by the
board of trade asks the public to cut
down consumption of coal, gas and