Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-10-16
Million Coal
Miners Leave
Jobs Tonight
Great Britain Makes
Ready to Cope With
Strike Hitting Very.
Vitals Of Nation :

ASS88O Va va S8~AR
London, Oct. 16.--Preparations
for the great Industrial struggle
precipitated by the decision of
100000 British coal miners to
cease work tonight went grimly
forward today.
The machinery established by
the government to cope with the
crisis was working smoothly at full
speed. The miners were squally
active. Some already had ceased
work at the end of their shifts.
Meanwhile the public was wait
ing anxiously, even fearfully, for
the real beginning of the battle
which hits at the vitals of the
country.
Railways May HIATT.
The executive committee OF the
National Union of Ra;.wayn,-n
called special conference of dele
gates for Wednesday next to decide
whether the railway men shall
support the miners through a SYM
pathetic strike.
|. The National Federation of
transport Workers declined to in
dicate it's position. The executive
committee of the federation will
meet Monday.
The executive committee of the
Associated Society of Locomotive
Engineers and Firemen is meeting
today at Leeds to decide the atti-
tude of that union.
Military leave has been stopped
in the Portsmouth district, owing
to thes trike. Considerable forces
and men on leave have been re-
called.
Iron Works Closed.
Some of the iron and steel works
in the north of Yorkshire already
have suecumbed to the coal strike
thrat, with it's Implication of a
prospective coal shortage. with
few exceptions all the works were
closed today. and about 10000 men
have been thrown out of employ
ment.
1t is stated that all the works in
this district will be idle after to-
day The local shipyards will be
kept going, however. for a few
days.
From Sheffield comes the report
that'while some of the big factories
nave supplies of coal sufficient for
three weeks, the staple trades will
be Immediately affected. At the
end of a week it Is estimated there
will be 10000 steel, iron, engineer
ing, cutlery and eletcroplate work.
ers idle.
On the marine side, ocean iners
have been instructed to obtain
bunker coal abroad as much as
possible. Reports from Liverpool
state most disquietude is felt there.
The premier's message read as
follows:
Refuses Arbitration.
THE nation is confronted with a
coal strike. The government has
made every effort consistent with
it's duty as trustee for the peor,e to
avert this calamity. The proposals
of the government have been sup
ported by many of the most re-
sponsible leaders of the miners fed
Grafton. They have been regarded
by all sections of the people as fair
and reasonable.
THE government offered to sub
NIT the miners claims for an IN
crease in wages to an impartial tri-
bunal and to abide by the result.
This offer the miners refused. The
government offered to give the in
crease if the miners would restore
the present low production of coal
to the figures of the early part of
the present year.
This, too, the miners refused
against the advice of their most ex-
perienced leaders They are at
tempting now to gain their ends by
force. The nation must and will
resist such an attacl; with all it's
strength and there can be no doubt
as to the issue.
Cooperation Asked.
The citizens must help each
other to lessen the Inconvenience
and suffering which the miners
strike will cause. The supplies of
coal for the public are sufficient.
The government win insure the
fair distribution of the available
supplies Of coal. Every household
er can help by saving coal. Every
manufacturer can help his work
men by making his supplies of coal
last as long as possible. There
should be no cessation of employ
ment until that misfortune cannot
longer be avoided and, above all,
the people should remain calm and
deal with emergencies as they
arise.
NO one need underrate the
damage which this strike will Co
but no one will be dismayed. We
have ben through much more diff
ficult times. With steady purpose
and determination to do Justice.
the nation will overcome all its diff
ficulties."