Evening star., 1921-04-02
local STRIKE HITS
LIFE OF ENGLAND
Restrictions Placed Upon In
dustfies and PeopIe-Six
Mines Already Flooded.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
LONDON. April Six British coal
mines. left to the mercy of inrushing
waters by the strike of miners and
pumpmen, have already been flooded.
and some are said to be in such con-
dition that they may be permanently
wrecked. Four of these mines are in
South Staffordshire, one in the Forest
of Dean. county of Gloucester, and
one in Flintshire, northeastern Wales.
Several of the oder pits in the Lam
cashire district and in the Rhondda
valley, Wales, are in imminent dan
ger, and in most of the other coal
districts of, the island clerks and
volunteers are manning the pumps.
Scores of telegraphic appeals reached
the government yesterday, asking
that sailors be sent to help fight
against the floods OF water pouring
into the mines. Vavious coal dealers
associations are publishing appeals in
newspapers. calling upon volunteers
with engineering experience to give
assistance. The government appar-
emily is taking grave view of the
crisis. and is laying plans to deal with
emergencies.
Curtail Train Service.
Restrictions on train service will be-
gin next Wed les sday, and cut of 20
per cent will be made effective before
the end of next week if the coal
scheduled at Warwick. a mining cen
ter. next Monday and Tuesday have
been Cancelled at the governments re-
quest. Another step taken has been
to reduce coal consumption for indus
trial purposes so per cent. while do
mestic users of coal will be permitted
to purchase only small amounts. Some
of the illuminated signs in London al
ready have been voluntarily extin-
guished. and it is expected that or
ders will soon be issued prohibiting
all such signs. The government also
is planning to impose restrictions on
shop and street lighting. and the pub
lie has been asked to economize in the
use of gas, electricity and gasoline.
Another effect of the embargo on
crease for the demand of tonnage to
carry American coal to British bun
Eering stations. A number of ships
received orders last night to prepare
to distribute supplies of yeast for the
nations bread. should the railroads be
shut down. These supplies would be
landed at VARIOUS ports along the
coast. All wireless stations were
tuned up" and constables were being
enrolled everywhere last night.
Three-Week supply in London.
The chairman of the London coal
committee declares London has SUD-
ply for about three weeks. but-if the
present summer-like weather con-
tinues it will last FIVE or six weeks.
There were no reports yesterday or
last night regarding disturbances
anywhere. dispatches stating that the
miners were enjoying a holiday.
The universal cessation of work by
the coal miners has taken effect with
remarkable quietude, and under cir
cumstances in strong contrast with
all recent labor disputes, whether on
the part of the railwaymen, the
miners or in industries. The course
of these previous disputes was char
acteriZed by active conferences and
negotiations> between the parties con-
cerned and ministers or other MEM
bers Of the government, all Of whom
displayed anxiety to find path of
settlement.
On this occasion there has been
nothing of the kind since Thursdays
meeting of the board Of trade. Meth
er side has made the least approach
toward negotiations. This is ex-
planned partly, as far as the govern
ment is concerned. by the fact that
abolition of control of the coal in
dustry is considered to relieve the
ministers of the responsibility of in
tervening in the dispute. The gov
ernment holds that it is a matter to
be settled between the miners and the
mine owners.