The Washington herald., 1920-10-20
COALSTRIKERS
ARE DEFIED BY
LLOYD GEORGE
Premier Refuses to Yield
Unless Miners Promise
Larger Output.
NEW WALKOUTS NEAR
Railway Men and Transport
Workers Threaten to
Quit In Sympathy.
London. Oct. 1a.-one of the
scenes today which presented n
small counterpart of the rfotfnE
of Monday was nm attempt by
n crowd of unemployed TO march
upon Bow street. where those
arrested during the riots Of
Monday were imprtsoned. The
crowd was quickly rrperied by
the police.

London, Oct. ls-Braving warn
ings from laborite members OF Par
lament that the raiIwaymen and
the transport workers, the remain
ing two elements OF England's labor
triple alliance" would shortly quit
work and join the striking coal
miners and thus bring catastrophe
to Britain, Premier Lloyd George in
the House Of Commons tonight de-
cIared he would not concede the
wage demands Of the miners unless
he is given a guarantee OF increased
coal output.
Up to the present the miners have
refused TO give such a guarantee,
although dcterminedly struggling
for increased pay to meet the
mounting cost Of living
Rejects Halfway Measures.
The House Of Commons bsttIed
with the grave strike situation for
five full hours. Just before rising
for adjournment OF the session, the
Premier, grave and holding himself
in restraint, announced that the
government could not accept a solu-
tion which was not OF = permanent
nature. Halfway measures, he en-
Phasizej, would not solve the situs-
tion.
The Premier then invited the own
ers and the mine workers 20 devise
scheme among themselves 70
bring aaout the heavier tonnage
production which he demanded.
May Call Cabinet
Replying 20 the suggestions that
he summon the owners and the
miners for a conference, Lloyd
George said that il would first be
necessary for him to consult the
cabinet. He declared he would call
a meeting Of the cabinet provided
he could be satisfied that the miners
would agree to an investigation Of
the entire question Of wages and
output
When the House Of Commons re-
assembled IN the afternoon mounted
and foot police were msssed at
strategic points within a radius OF
the parliament buildings to prevent
any possibility OF repetition Of the
rioting at Whitehall
Although there were numerous
scuffies and many small Unemploy-
ment disturbances none OF them had
any political significance
100000 Out Of Work.
It is estimated that there are ESQ.,
900 people without work mainly ow-
ing TO the recent slump in trade as
well as TO recesnt rehabilitation. All
the demonstrators are asking is that
they be given employment.
1t is officially asserted that the
situation will only assume a revolu-
tionary aspect IL the miners strike
is prolonged and is complicated with
threats Of sympathetic strikes in
other industries.
a parliamentary committee TO act
as Intermediary for the settlements
of the coal strike was the su-Ees-
tion Of William Brace, Labor mem
Der, in a speech during the after
noon. He prophesied that unless
parliament intervenes to arrange
some settlement which will be &C
ceptable to the miners, there will be
a long and CHASTITY strike.
Urges National Referendum.
He also suggested a nationwide
referendum on the question Of ma
OF the mines.
The definite warning sounded by
labor leaders that should the coal
strike continue for fortnight.
there could be no question but that
other tradesmen, especially the rail-
way workers, would walk out to aid
the miners" caused a growing feel
ing of uneasiness"
Continuation Of the miners
strike" said J. II. Thomas. head OF
the Union OF Railway Men. will In
volve other unions and ruin the
There IS much discussion Of the
proposition to offer an immediate
grant Of two shillinEs a day to the
mirers, IL being understood that
such an agreement would likely find
favor with leaders. 1t is recalled.
however, that as the men in voting
for the strike, repudiatcd their lead
ers, there is no certainty that the
acceptance OF such an award by the
leaders would satisfy the men.
Joint Meeting Today.
Tomorrow the railway men will
hold a meeting for the purpose OF
discussing the strike and will later
hold Joint meeting with the trans
pert workers. 1t is conceded that
these meetings will have a vital
bearing on the situation, because IL
the joint meeting decides TO support
the miners in their strike, practical
ly every industry in England will
be tied up as a result.
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