New-York tribune., 1920-10-23
Emergency Bill Will BE
Presented in Parliament
for Protection by Mill
tary in Case of Disorder
Hope for Peace
Appears Brighter
Miners and Government
Continue Negotiations;
May Avert Rail " alAout

LONDON, Oct % (By The Associ-
ated Press ).-Edward Short, the Home
Secretary gave notice in the House of
Commons this afternoon Of the presen-
tation Of bill to revive the war time
emergency regulations, giving the gov
eminent wide powers for the protec-
ton Of the community in case of dis
orders. 1t was said that the bill would
be pushed forward Immediately, but
the early intention to have Parliament
consider it tomorrow was abandoned
and it viii come up Monday. This
postponement caused parliamentary
writer's to assume that the strike out
look was regarded by the government
as somewhat less menacing.
The situation was considered more
hopeful by reason Of the fact that the
neace conversations between the gov
eminent and re miners leaders are
continuing unbroken. The opinion was
generally expressed in government cir
dies that definite opportunity for
negotations would be ound before any
serious development. arose from the
threat OF the railwaymer and transport
workers to join tho striking miners
Sunday night.
May Postpone Rail WaIkout
At Joint conference tomorrow be-
tween the railmen and miners, from
which it 5 hoped peace may spring, j..
is expected the suggestion viii be
made that the railmen postpone their
strike, set for Sunday night should
there be no agreement between the
government and the miners by Satur-
day, until after Wcdne sday's Trades
Union conference.
The greatest anxiety exists among
Londoners, for if the rail strike be-
comes effective Sunday isht the ur-
derground tube railways viii cease
working. II is possible, also, that the
trans and busses, whose drivers are
members OF the Transport Workers
Union, will suspend operations TIE
bus and tram drivers, however, have
expressed themselves as reluctant to
jon the movement.
There is division among the rail-
road men with regard to strike,
large section Of them opposing it. j.
II. Thomas, general secretary of the
National Union IF Railway men, has
authorized the statement that he is
against the strike.
Emergency Plans Ready
This has brought about the very
general opinion that there will not, in
any case, be rail strike before
Wednesday, but should it transpire
the Ministry Of Transport has an
emergency plan in readiness for i'm
mediate operation Of the railways by
volunteers, and all machinery created
for the purpose during last years
strike will be utilized.
The miners conference Of South
Wales to-day asked the National
Miners Federation to call national
conference to consider the withdrawal
Of all labor from the coal mines. The
mines are being kept in order by spe-
cially assigned forces and their with
drawal would render the pits useless
for resumption of work.
AT meeting of the executive COM
mlttee of the Associated Society of
Locomotive Engineers and Firemen it
was decided to de1er decision on the
question of sympathetic action with
the miners until Monday. The society
IS an important and wealthy section Of
the railwaymon, distinct from the Ma
tional Union Of Railwaymen, and its
decision is considered important.
mons to Seek feace
1t was announced that the parlia-
nentary committee Of the Trades
Union Congress had called conference
Tor Wednesday next of the executives
OF the affiliated unions to consider
methods Of helping the miners in their
effort to settle the strike.
Questioned in the House of Com
mons with regard to the strike, An
drew Bonar Law, the government
spokesman, declined to discuss it, ex-
cept TO say that the situation was very
grave He referred, however, to the
ffemer's statement last evening, and
added:
The anxiety expressed by Mr.. lloyd
george to explore every avenue which
could possibly lead to peace still exists,
and nothing VIII be left undone by the
government"
Permits for Food Deliveries
Robert Williams, general secretary
., 81 lhe transport workers, announced in
tnelr behalf, regarding the enrolment
y. volunteers by the government which
mas neen going on, that the transport
men men look upon the danger of the en-
!.'o"ment Of volunteers, especially from
we middle class and white guards of
we we community, as of more provocation
'han the use of troops"
consequently, continued the an
Continued on pase seycntesn)
Wnr1I ~ VOg