The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-02
Coal Mines Are Wrecked When
Miners Walk Out.
Train Service To Be Cut One
Fourth Wednesday.
WORKERS IAFaVED
American Ships Hurry With
Emergency Cargoes.
Government May Use Sailors to
Save Property. "a

London, April Great Britain
faced paralysis of industry today as
result of the nationwide strike of
the coal miners
The government, viewing the situa-
ton as grave, set in motion the ma
chinery for the rationing OF food and
curtailing transportation. All train
service will be reduced rs per cent be-
ginning Wednesday.
Many allied industries have herun
TO close down and scores of Thousands
OF persons We're expected to be thrown
out of work
Iron Works Closing.
All of the northern iron works. the
miIIs and factories in Yorkshire and
work. -
Eleven thousand dock workers were
IDLE yesterday and four thousand mora
were expected to be laid off in the
Sheffield district today.
The strike, which began THURSDAY.
ana winch involves more than a mil
non miners. already had caused losses
OF millions of pounds thru the flokztf-
ing OF scores of mines thruout the
country.
One pit in north Wales had beer
ruined and 1t was feared that many
WOuAu De managed DeYOn1
recovery owners sent ont general
cal! Tor volunteers to man the pumps
ana prevent complete disaster.
Apprehension was caused by the
possfpiiity that the strike would
spread to the railway and transpor.
, s.',a rhets. Even should the latter go
Iuse actually to walk out they could
maze the situation more daneerol,y
by refusing to handle coal
Inc discipline of the strikers an
peareo 10 be perfect. No case of vIo-
,snce naa been reported from any of
In hundreds of pits involved.
Political as well as economic issues
nave begun to complicate the situa-
/ uon-, Some officials predicted that n
general election would be called, soon
involving the miners Federation.
Appeal for Sailor Helm,
scores of telegraphic appeals
reached the government yesterSSav
sshlhg that sailors be sent to helm
lght against the floods of water no,rr
ing into the mines Various 60;
dealers associations are publishing an
peais IN newspapers calling upon volun-
teers with engineering experience 10
give assistance. The government an
parentiy is taking grave view OF
thes crisis and is laying plans to deai
with emergencies
restrictions on train service will
! begin next Wednesday and cut ~
| ~ per cent will be made effective he
lore the end of next week if the coal
strike continues
race meetings scheduled at War
wick, a mining center next Monday
, ana Iues1ay have been cancelled ar
the government request Another
| step taken has been to reduce coal
consumption for industrial purposes
! oV per cent while domestic users of
coal will be permitted to purchase
| only In small amounts
some of the illuminated signs in
LONDON already have been voluntarily
extlnguished, and it Is expected that
orders soon will be issued prohibiting
an 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.
Nation Faces Crisis.
Another effect of the embargo ON
the exports of coal has been an in
] crease for the demand of tonnage to
carry American coal to British bunk
erlng stations. number of ships
/ received orders last night to prepare
to distribute supplies of yeast for the
/ nations bread, should the railroads
shut down. The supplies would be
Ianded at various ports along the
coast All wireless stations were
| tuned up and constables were being
enrolled everywhere last night
The chairman of the London coal
committee declares London has a sun
i ply for ABOUT three weeks but If the
present summer-like weather contfn-
ues it will last five or six weeks.
There were no reports yesterday or
last night regarding disturbances any
| where, dispatches stating that the
miners were enjoying a holiday