The New York herald., 1921-04-01
COMPLETE TIEUP
LOOMS IN BRITAIN
Rail and Transport Workers
May Join Coal Strike, Put
ting 100000 Out.
EMERGENCY Is DECLARED
War Ration Regulations Are
Ordered by Government as
Miners Quit Pits.
EMERGENCY Is DECLARED
By the Associated Press.

LONDON, March 31.-Success or fail
ure for the national coal miners
strike, which has been ordered TO be-
gin at midnight tonight, is expected
to depend upon the results of meet
ings OF the railway and transport
workers called for early next week.
There is an increasing likelihood OF
the entire triple alliance. numbering
almost 100000 workers. laying down
their tools. 1t IS apparent that an
identical situation as regards the rail-
roads will be almost certain to come
up again in August, when Govern
ment control OF the railways ceases
On this account. they argue, the triple
alliance may see fit at the presen,
time to make the miners cause test
case.
Those who had been hopeful that the
railwaymcn and transport workers
would find a way out OF the difficulty
received little to reassure them in state
ments issued on their behalf after morn
ing conferences. These statements were
TO the effect that the attitude OF the
mine owners ard OF the Government was
regarded BY the railwaymen and trans
port workers as a prelude to a general
attempt to reduce wages and to get back
to the old days OF district instead of ma
tionai negotiations in labor disputes.
The National Union Of Railwaymen
has called conference of delegates for
April s, at which II will be decided
whether the railwaymen will support the
miners. The transport workers also
have decided 10 cali a meeting OF the
executives OF all the bodies affiliated
with them for April . TO take similar
action.
II the statement issued to-day on be-
half OF the railwaymen and the trans
port workers influences the railwayme1l
and the transport workers actively 20
support the miners through sympa-
thetic strike the outlook for general
industrial tieup is ominous.
The temper OF the miners for the
walkout is indicated In their strike or
der. which includes the pump men and
other worllmen who arc essential TO
keep the mines In working condition.
This, however, Il is declared, will be
countered by the Government employing
ho 81 A4ANh ~ ~ INV Tic PAAS "a ~ -
necessary 10 take such action 10 prevent
the ruin Of the mines.
The Government this evening, In con-
nection with the coal crisis, proclaimed
a state of emergency under the Emerg-
ency Powers act OF 1920.
The Governments scheme, II is un-
derstood, even contemplates measures
for the carrying on OF the vital services
IN the event of walkout by the entire
triple alliance. Efforts to avert such a
contingency are continuing and in some
quarters the belief is expressed that the
railway men and the transport work
ers may confine their participation In
the miners strike 20 a refusal 10 handle
coal.
The Government in 1918 employed
naval men for the pumping OF mines
during the strike at that time, but x Is
said that should the regular mine pump
ers now be called out scores OF mines
inevitably must be flooded. as there arc
insufficient naval forces available FOR
the work.
The miners began 20 leave the pits IN
various districts this afternoon. The
Board OF Trade officials have decided
that coal for export shall be rationed
rgidly.
Stocks for home consumption VIII be
allocatcd to essential industries. and all
domestic consumers VIII be rationcd tho
same as during the war. The supplies
on hand. Il was stated to-day. arc gem
eratlv bptter than normal