The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-21
RA|LWAYmEN
OF ENGLAND
GIVE THREAT
Coal Situation Takes an Un-
expected and Grave Turn.
With Issue of Ultimatum to
Government.
QUIT SUNDAY NIGHT
(By Associated Press)

LONDON, Oct. 21-The coal strike
situation took an unexpected and
grave turn this afternoon when the
railwaymen and transport workers an
nounced that they would strike in SYM
pathy with the miners unless negotia.
tions between the government and the
miners were reopened this week.
The railroad mems Delegates issued
what was virtually an ultimatum to
the government that all members will
cease work Sunday at midnight unless
the strike was settled or negotiations
which would effect a settlement be.
gun by Saturday.
J. H. Thomas, general secretary OF
the National Union of Railwaymen an
nounced that the delegates of the rail-
waymen had decided to instruct the
general secretary to intimate to Pre-
mier Lloyd George that unless the
miners claims are granted or negotia-
tions resumed by Saturday which will
result in settlement we shall be COM
pelled to take the necessary steps to
instruct all our members in England,
Scotland and Wales to cease work.
In addition a telegram is being dis
patched to all members to be prepared
TO cease work at midnight of Sunday
next unless they hear to the contrary.
Issues Similar Statement.
The transport workers delegates is
sued statement along virtually the
same lines as that of the railwaymen
Pressure is also being exerted by the
Trade Union congress and the parlia-
mentary committee of the labor men
to force the government to waive all
prior considerations and call its own
and the miners representatives to-
gether Immediately.
The government is understood to be
standing firm on the ground that any
increase in wages must have reference
to increased production, but is willing
to open negotiations if the miners rec
ognized this principle.
Unions Confer.
Conference of the executive officers
OF the two unions were held yesterday
and the situation was reviewed, but
nothing definite was done, it being
decided to wait another day before
taking sides in the Industrial contro-
versy
Should the railwaymen and trans
port workers call a strike, a critical
phase of the dispute between labor
and the government would at once
ensue it is believed and the ministry
of labor has been exerting its utmost
efforts to prevent such a step.
Sentiment in the Railwaymen's Un-
ion seems to be divided over the
course to be pursued by the organiza-
ton, one wing opposing the calling of
a strike, and the other favoring a
walkout.
Leaders Of the Transport Workers
union were in conference late yester-
day with the trades union committee
trend of the meeting
Compromise Not Submitted
Proposals for a compromise agree.
ment which might permit the miners
to return to work and defer final ad-
justment of their grievances have been
brought forward, but they have not
been submitted to leaders of the
federation so far as known.
There are indications the owners of
mines may be called in by Premier
Lloyd George to take up the subject
of increasing the production of the
pits and heads of the miners fedora
tion may be asked to be present.
Extremists in the federation are
urging that the men left in the mines
to operate the pumps and keep the
diggins free from water. be with
drawn, but this step is strongly op-
posed by Robert Smillie and other
executives of the organization.
Expect Government Move.
The belief was expressed in labor
circles during the forenoon that the
government would make some move
within few hours to call a fresh con-
ference of miners and coal owners to
examine the adjustment plan advanced
in the house Of commons yesterday by
William Brace, labor member OF par
| lament and president of the South
| Wales miners federation.
The labor unions other than the min
ers, it was declared in these circles,
are against an extension of the strike
| if there is the slightest chance of
negotiations being reopened.
| No change was reported in the sit
uation in South Wales. where the
attitude of the miners is still a de-
| termined one.
At Seghill, in Northumberland, men.
women and children raided a colliery
siding and took 100 tons of coal for
their DersOnal uSp