Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-12
LLOYD GEORGE Will
Fight MINE SOVIET
Premier Opposes NationaIiza-
ton and Warns Radicals
Against Violence
LIQUOR RESTRICTIONS UP

London, Feb. 12.-Premier Lloyd
George again addressed the House OF
Commons yesterday. this time on tho
question of naturalization of the coal
mines.
The subject was introduced by Will
liam Brace, president of the South
Wales Miners Federation. who. in be
half of labor. moved an amendment to
the reply to the speech from the throne.
expressing regret for "the absence OF
any proposal to nationalize the coal
mines of the country along lines recon
nended by the majority of the members
of the Royal Commission on the coal
Industry, which was appointed to .ad .
wise the government as to the best
methods of reorganizing the industry"
Premier Lloyd George, answering the
complaint. said it would be impossible
20 have naturalization without bu-
( reaucracy. and ridiculed Mr.. Brace S
idea that the miners would work harder
for the state than for private inter
ests.
The premier created something of a
scene by quoting from Leon Trotsky
TO show that the Bolshevist experiment
of naturalization in Russia had failed
and that the Bolshevists had been
Obliged to resort to conscription OF
labor. This brought forth excited
shouts of Thanks to your fighting.
Would Re Disastrous
The premier said what the. miners
federation really wanted was full con-
troll of the coal industry. He said to
hand it over would be disastrous to the
community and misfortune TO the
miners themselves.
Referring to the governments pro-
posed bill. the premier insisted that the
Government was not opposing blank
negative to naturalization by its con-
structive scheme for improving the
mining industry.
If any attempt was made TO convince
the country by violence. Mr.. Lloyd
George said. it would be a challenge to
the whole fabric of free government.
On such an issue. declared the premier,
s'Ne will fight to the death.
Such action, the premier added,
would not be a strike for wages and
betterment of conditions of labor, but
for the establishment of a soviet, and
that would mean the end of constitu
tional government.
'sThis nation has ever fought for lib
erty, and will fight for it again." Mr..
. Lloyd George exclaimed.
Prolonged cheering followed.
"a Liquor Restrictions Planned
The drink question was briefly dis
cussed in both houses of Parliament yes
terday. Earl Curzon told the lords that
the bill on this subject to be introduced
would contain provisions for shorter
hours of sale. The experiment of state
management certainly would not he
dropped, he said.
In the House of Commons the subject
was alluded to by Sir Donald MacLean.
1.-The fact that America has gone dry
is an economic fact of the grdvest i'm
portance TO Great Britain" he said
adding that British expenditure for
drink absolutely staggered him. The
country spent more than f164 900. .00C
fnominally $3.50 100000 for drink in
1914. he said. and that expenditure in
creased steadily until it was f2j9 900,
= 600. ($1 .295, 900 .000) in 1918. while il
was estimated that the expenditure fol
the year ending March 81 next. would bt
nearly f400, 900 900 (S2 900, 600 000).
The liquor question will be debated ir
Commons this week when, according tc
u lobby report, Lady Astor will speak or
the topic. 1t will not only be her nader
speech in the House, but the first time
a woman has been heard in Parliament
The Pail Mall Gazette says that the
measures at present contemplated are
not calculated to rouse any great feel
ing in the country, as the government
plans are virtually continuation of the
hours in effect under war restrictions
No attempt will be made to provide
local option. but the future of thit
question will depend largely on the re
suit of the Scottish experiment thi!