The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-04-02
WATERFLOOD|NC
ABANDONED COAL
MINES IN BRITAIN
Strike May Result in Destruction
of Valuable Property
OVER A MILLION MEN OUT
Public Takes Situation Calmly
but Severe in Criticism of
Striking Miners

I London, April 2.-SiX British coal
mines left at the mercy of thrush ng
water by the strike of miners and
pumpmen have already flooded and
some, it is said are in such a condi-
tion that they may be permanently
wrecked. Other m mes are in immi-
nent danger.
! The government is apparently TAX
ing a grave view of the situation and
is laying plans to deal with emergen.
cie3
London. April 1--With the coal
feds of the United Kingdom idle, the
first day of the miners strike in which
/ 100000 are st'mated to be out,
passed quietly, no fresh moves being
made by either the mine owners or the
miners. Mine clerks and officials
have taken off their coats and gone to
work energetcally trying to preserve
the mines from damage In this they
are be ng assisted by a considerable
number of pump men and enginemen
who have refused to obey the strike
order Flooding Of mines has occur
red in one or two instances, the deep
levels of one of the largest mines be-
ing completely flooded
a Cabinet meeting was held today
and the Ministers decided to remain
in London over the week end, ready to
respond ii there are any serious de-
yelopments in the str Ike situation.
There is intense interest as to the
attitude Of the two other members of
the Triple Alliance--the railroad mems
and the transport workers unions
who will meet to cons der what steps
shall be taken to aid their fellow
members of the alliance. The Govern
ment already has made plans to trans
port coal in the event the railroad
men refuse to carry it. Although a
royal proclamation of a state OF
emergency was issued yesterday, the
Government has no intention Of cur
failing Immediately any OF the public
privileges but in few days the do
mestic deliver es Of coal are liable to
be lin ted,
The first day of the strike was the
warmest day London has had this
spring season and the burning of coal
for heating purposes was unneces-
sary.
No coal will be delivered to indus
tries VIII ch have a weeks supply on
hand and hospitas s and bakeries are to
receive first consideration. While it
IS expected that the cost will beg n
going up almost Immediately, there is
Sufficient coal mined for a months
supply under normal conditions.
The public is taking the str Ike of the
miners with the utmose caImness. The
miners are being widely criticised,
however and the feeling Is that they
have a weak case The people con
tinue n their faith that the Govern
ment is well able to handle the stu
alton
The same machinery which was
Planned by the Government when the
last coal strike was threatened is now
being oiled. Consider&1to stocks OF
coal are being held at strategic points
thus making it easy to transport fuel
into the congested d stricts. Large
fleets of motor lorries are at the COM
mand of the Government for any emer
eency. and there is every indication
that there are a sufficient number OF
volunteers to insure that supplies VII
be forthcoming
In Yorkshire emergency men are
working without interference and
there is no immediate anxiety oyer
conditions obtaining there However,
in South Wales, Northumberland and
Scotland the safety Of the coal pits
cannot be guaranteed, and this is
causing much alarm. In many cases
the pits could be flooded or destroyed
within twelve hours.