The Washington herald., 1920-10-18

London. Oct. 17.-Premier Lloyd
George will dissolve Parliament and
go to the country in a general cleo
tion if the railroad men and other
labor organizations join the strik-
ing coal miners, it was learned to-
night.
He would accept the joint action
of the unions as a challenge to
constitutional government and as
an issue to ask the people to choose
between parliamentary government
and labor dictation, amounting to
Sovietism. ]. II. Thomas, John r.
Clynes and other leaders are ex-
pected to advise a limitation of
the strike because they feel that
the country is not ripe for any
great change.
The small opposition to the pre-
mier, led by former Premier II. H.
Asquith. will support the govern
ment coalition in the debates Tues
day.
Railway Vote Wednesday.
The discussion of the premier's
condonation of the policy of repri-
sails in Ireland is to be sidetracked
for the time being. The opposition
refraining for fear that it might
undermine the governments posi-
tion in the labor fight.
Until now the miners stand alone.
None of the other great unions
have called out the men. There is
a somewhat general denunciation
from the public. 1t is considered
quite possible. however, that the
railroad men, at their meeting on
Wednesday will declare sympa-
thetic strike
If the railroad men decide TO
strike it would practically force the
other great trade unions to follow,
rather than suffer themselves to be
weakened by endangering the sue
cess of the strike.
Hope in Parliament.
Despite protestations from all
sides of the desire for settlement.
there was no real action toward
that end by the government. the
employers or the miners. The only
hope of the public is Parliament.
The commons reassembles Tuesday
and there is the distinct possibility
that action may be taken looking
toward renewal OF negotiations.
The parliamentary Labor party
will caucus tomorrow on it's policy.
One of it's moves will be to insist
that the government distribute to
the men the wage Contributions
paid by the men under the unem-
ployment act during the war. The
funds of all of the unions is a trifle
less than S1OO,OO0,O00. This will
finance the strike for a full month.
In the meantime the government
is preparing for the worst. Army
and navy leaves of absence have
been stopped. Police chiefs all over
the nation are enlisting volunteers.
In all areas the leaders of the miners
have appealed to their men for dis
cipline and the maintenance of
order.
IdIeness for 100000 Looms.
The plants chiefly dependent on
coal are making plans to close
down. Within a week it is certain
that, including the miners, more
than 100000 men will be idle. The
first plants to close will be the
metal and pottery.
Premier Lloyd George is con-
stantly within easy call of his
Downing street office, and is ready
to listen to proposals from any re-
sponsiblo parties that may lead to
the stopping of the strike.
The defense of the realm act,
passed for the war emergency, is
again in full operation. 1t is un-
lawful for any family to obtain coal
If it now has more than a half ton.
Families without coal are permitted
100 pounds a week. Factories have
been limited to consumption OF fifty
per cent of normal. The use of gas
and electricity has been drastically
limited. Advertising signs are un-
der the ban. The food controller
has issued an antihoarding warn
ing, prohibiting the accumulation of
more than a weeks supply of fooc-
stuffs.
The sugar ration has been cut
from twelve to eight ounces