The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-04-16
LABOR SPLITS ON
Mine STRIKE AND
ORDER SOON WILL
RETURN AGAIN
British Crisis Believed
To Be Over, Although
Miners Still Out Sit
uation Takes Dramatic
Turn When Railroad
Men Smash the Triple
Alliance.

London, April 16.-Iabor forces of
the United Kingdom are today appar-
emily koken into sections as result
of the refusal OF the National Union
ef Railway Men and Sthe National
Federation of Transport workers yes
terday to continue their support OF
the strike called by the Miners Fed
GRAFTON OF Great Britain The opinion
prevails in some quarters that the ac-
ton of the railroad workers and
transport men means the death war
rant of the triple alliance" This
view is not held universally, but.
without doubt the split which devel-
oped yesterday Will have a serious ef.
feet on the rank and file of labor.
Yesterday was the highest defeat
that has befallen labor within the
memory of man. begins the laborite
Heralds comment on the sensational
break away of the railroad men and
try to minimize it. The workers have
refused to stand t0GSther and they
have reaped the rewa3ds'
The newspaper declares that Frank
Hodges, secretary Of the organization
of labor. made tadtful mistake of
using the old formula of labor in dis
cussing the situation dnring his ad-
dress to the members of sthe house of
commons on ThursdaF night. The
union had held it wolil6 not negotiate
until assured OF the establishment OF
q national wage board even il such a.
body would net lsaei Rarations irl-
snediatsiy y. bsii 8fii ffodg changed
the formula by declaring that labor
would negotiate postponing the or
ganization of a national board
Whether the organization in its
turn will split up remains to be seen.
Mr.. Hodges position is delicate but
he has the support of the minority
The hands of labor is tied but in the
course of discussion among union
men, which is expected soon, it is
hoped that a new organization will
be developed.
The New London Times gives q
graphic account of what happened at
the fateful meeting of the triple al
lance" yesterday. The proceedings
developed says an eye witness, quoted
by the Times. into the biggest circus
ever seen. determinations were mu-
tual and while the transport workers
were particularly accused of not de-
string fully to support the miners
they retorted by referring to the
weakened action which led to the
matter of cancelling the strike order
being raised at this juncture at all.
1t was argued that the miners should
have accepted Prime Minister Lloyd
Cnnroao A.
offer made by Mr.. Hodges. Their re-
fusal showed their attiture was not
actuated by the wage dispute but was
a kind of direct action for securing
some kind of naturalization. When
'it became evident the break was COM
ing the anger of the miners was un-
bounded
Characteristic of editorial comment
en- the situation is an editorial pub
lished in the Morning Post.
The bluff was called and il
failed" the newspaper declared
These powerful trades unions must
be taught that it is not their business
to govern the country
In the meantime the stoppage of
coal mining continues and it is point
ed out in various quarters that the
situation is still serious.
4, Strike Still On
London. April l6.-A conference
between delegates of the Miners Fed.
GRAFTON of Great Britain and labor
representatives from all districts of
the United Kingdom. at which the
coal strike situation will be consd.
cred. was today fixed for next Friday,
April 22. In the meantime work will
not be resumed in any of the coal
fields affected by the miners strike.