The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-07
BREAK OFF PARLEY
Lloyd George Demanded Safety
Workers at Once.
Mine Owners Refuse NegOtia-
tiOns While Mines Flooding.
DESTRUCTION THEIR POLICY
Declare Danger to Property
Now Only Bargaining Power.
Want Government to Guarantee
National Wage Board.

london, April THE national
union of railway men today unani-
mously decided to support the coal
miners in their strike.
Attempted negotiations for settle
ment of the British coal strike broke
down completely today. Miners leaI-
ers in conference with Lloyd George
refused to meet the primary demand
of colliery owners that steps be taken
Immediately to prevent flooding of the
mines. The proposed miner-owner
meeting was Cancelled.
Speed War Preparation,
AS result Britain's preparations for
Industrial warfare were speeded up
Thousands of soldiers were rushed to
strategic points. great food stores
were collected, further cuts in trans
portation were made, and ightless
nights were proposed.
The premier personally attempted
to persuade the miners to change their
Dosition. At a long conference this
morning Lloyd George used all the
arts of argument at his command.
The miners declared they wished to
reach an understanding with the col
liery owners and were willing to make
concessions, but they could not meet
the preliminary demand of the own
crs.
Demand Safety Workers.
That demand was that before nego-
fations be attempted. safety workers
should be installed in the mines to see
that they were not flooded.
The destruction of property, their
spokesman told The premier is their
sole bargaining power now Shortage
of coal will exert some pressure, they
said. but the weather prevents its full
effect. ..
The miners demanded of Lloyd
George that the government should
guarantee a national wage board and
national pooling of mine profits be-
fore pumping is resumed.
Arguing that the pumping is neces-
sary to prevent the destruction of val
liable properties, Lloyd George refused
to consider any such proviso. He de-
manded the miners accept the duty of
saving the properties unconditionally.
Big Wage Concessions Due.
It was known the owners would re-
fuse the demand for pooling their in
dustry, but they We're expected to make
big concessions in the way of wages.
The miners gave no indication that
they would make concessions. but it
was believed they would yield some
points. once a conference was begun.
setback. Factory owners who had
hoped to avert a shutdown, prepared
TO close their businesses.
Further violence, was expected in
the Scottish and Welsh districts where
authorities already had encountered
difficulty in attempting to preserve
mine properties from ruin.
Naval Units Ready.
Queenstown April Naval units
here and at other home ports have
been instructed, as a result of the
strike of British miners, to hold them
selves in readiness for emergency
service. Shore leave has been cur
tailed. even officers being required to
return to their ships by $3.50 O'Clock
in the evening. Naval officials view
the situation as being filled with the
gra vest possibilities.
The question of shifting large num-
bers of the crown forces in ireland
to England, if disorders ensue, has
been fully considered, it is understood
and If such steps should be taken it is
said, the forces transferred will pro-
badly include many auXiliaries re-
garded as especially qualified by their
work in Ireland to deal with elements
seeking to stir up trouble.
Officials. however. are aware of the
possibility that the Irish republican
army may take advantage of the op-
portunity offered by disorders in Eng
land and military authorities are re
Iuctant to decrease the forces in Ire
Ia