The Washington herald., 1921-04-07
MINERS REFUSE
CEORCESOFFER
FOR MEDIATION
Conditions Imposed Are
Called Impossible by
Labor Officials.
WELSH AND SCOTCH
DISORDERS SERIOUS
Britain Now Caught in
Grip of Greatest Labor
Crisis in History.
and Chicago Tribune)
BY JOHN STEELE.

By JOHN STEELE.
LONDON, April 6.-Hopes for an
smicable and speedy settlement of
difficulties between the striking
coal miners and their employers.
the mine owners, received a serious
setback tonight when the miners
federation executives refused to
comply with the conditions laid
down by Prime Minister Lloyd
George as necessary before negotia-
tions could be resumed
This decision leaves Great Britain
face to face with the most serious
labor crisis in her history. Unless
a compromise is effected tomorrow
when Mr.. Lloyd George is to meet
with the miners executives. a gem
eral strike of British labor's triple
alliance-the miners. transport
workers and railwaymen--seems un-
avoidable.
sappsrt Voted.
The great Industrial crisis seemed
at hand this morning. After an
ominously short and decisive con-
ference the transport workers de-
cided unanimously to support the
striking miners ito the fullest ex-
tent and in every possible way"
The railway men met simultane-
ously. II is believed their senti-
ments were identical with those Of
the transport workers. Action taken,
If any. was not made public.
At this Juncture. just as things
looked blackest. Prime Minister
Lloyd George intervened with an Of
fer to both sides n the miners con-
troversy in behalf of the govern
ment to act as mediator In re-
opening of the negotiations which
ended with toe strike order.
offer Accepted.
Identical letters were sent TO the
representatives of the miners and
the mine owners by the prime min
lister and these were laid before
full meetings Of the two bodies.
After careful deliberation both
sides sent communications to Mr..
Lloyd George accepting his offer.
The prime minister Immediately
announced this fact in the house
of commons The news was re-
ceived enthusiastically. for the ac-
ceptance meant that the industrial
disaster that would follow con-
certed action by the triple alliance.
at least temporarily had been
averted.
Seriousness Admitted.
Tonight. however, when 1t be-
came known that the miners fed
Grafton had refused to agree to the
two conditions stipulated by the
prime minister. deep concern was
evident on all sideS In Official cir
cles the situation was admitted to
be most grave.
, The coal industry is completely
paralyzed. Many of the mines are
being ruined through flooding
some by fire Many great industrial
plants which are dependent upon
the coal supply have closed. Others
are preparing to do So
The two conditions over which
hope has been changed to gloom
had to do with the rescuing of
ponies employed in the pits and
which otherwise would starve dur
ing the strike, and the giving of
orders by the federation that the
pumpmen. without whom the mines
would be flooded and ruined in
time. resume their posts.
Reason for stand.
The attitude of the miners ex-
ecutives as expressed tonight to Mr..
Lloyd George on these points Is
that most of the ponies already
haf in q
mine owners refused to allow their
salvage, that 1t is impossible at
the present time to issue instruc-
tions to the pumpmen to resume
work and that, any way. this ques-
tfon should not be allowed to in
terfere with or act as a barrier to
a resumption of negotiations,
Much importance is placed upon
the outcome Of tomorrow mornings
meeting between Lloyd George and
the miners executives. The prime
Commons that unless both these
that at that time he will use every
possible effort toward inducing the
miners representatives to recon-
slider their decision
Lloyd George Firm.
Lloyd George, however. informed
commons that unless both these
conditions were agreed to there
could be no reopening of negotia-
tions with. representatives of the
government as mediators-
A new element entered the acute
labor situation tonight when 1t
was learned that the executive OF
the United Textile Workers, repre-
ssnting more than 100000 opera
tives. today passed resolution
calling upon the trades unions con-
gress and the labor party's execu-
tive to call a national co,ference
TO discuss the miners strike and
the action of other unions in that
regard
Reports reaching London tonight
from the mining districts of Scot
land and South Wales declare that
serious disorders are ON the In
crease.
(copyrisht. isal.) 5