New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-14
Miners Refusal to Treat
With Government Re-
suits in Call to Rail Men
and Transport Labor
LLOYD George Has
Not Given Up Hope
100000 Under Arms to
Meet Emergency; Walk
Out May Affect 5 Million

From Tie Trtbu,e's European Bureau
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.

From Tie Tribune European Bureau
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, April 13.-The British
Triple Alliance of labor to-day
fixed Friday night at 10 o'clock as
the time for the railway men and
transport workers to strike in sym
pathy with the third group of work
ers represented in the alliance, the
coal miners.
This is the second time the date
for general strike has been fixed.
The first time set was last Tuesday
night, but the strike was postponed
at the request of Premier Lloyd
George, in the hope that further ne
gotiations could find way to pre-
vent the tying up of British trans-
port and industry.
Lloyd George Still Hopeful
Tonight that way had not been
found and Britain again is on the
brink Of the greatest industrial dis
aster in her history However, the
Premier has not given up all hope,
and is still casting about for some
plan to prevent strike which will
result in about 100000 persons be-
coming idle.
The situation is rendered particularly
grave tonight by the fact that many
other unions not affiliated with the
Triple Allan ce intend to quit work
simultaneously with the big three.
J. H. Thomas, head Of the railway
workers. announced that the Amalga-
mated Society of Locomotive Engine
men and Fremen had decided to enter
the strike and will quit Friday, along
with the electricians.
British Public Apathetic
The British public has become accus-
to omed to the strike threat and receive.
the latest announcement alphabetically.
There also is a feeling that definite
showdown with labor had to come
sccner or later and might as we'll be
got over with.
After the miners fat rejection Of
the governments terms last night a
renewal of the Alliances threat of di-
rect action was expected and the off
cial announcement of the strike date
this morning caused little surprise.
Leaders of the electrical trades. loco
motive firemen, engineers and railway
of the Triple Alliance to-day on the
question of putting the strike into
effect. The Federation of General
Workers, comprising half million
in scattered trades not allied
with the Alliance also is holding special
meetings to determine itss attitude
Builders. tailors and other unionists
seem generally favorable to the min
ers' cause, but the fundamental reason
labor is rallying to the strike is the
fear Of decreased wages throughout in
dustry.
1t is not difficult TO envisage situa-
ton in which to some extent the
original issue Of the miners wages will
be lost sight of in the larger problem.
Premier Lloyd George said in the
House of Commons this evening:
Government Takes Precautions
THE situation is of great and in
creasing gravity, but | hope still wiser
government is prosecuting all neces-
sary measures to meet the emergency"
statement issued by the Board of
Trade said: s
'In the event of the threatened cx-
tension Of the stoppage of work the
government will use the fullest powers
Of the state to protect workers who re-
main working"
The Parliamentary Labor party.
which theoretically should head Eng
lands 100000 trade unionists. Is
seeking to exercise a restraining in
huence. It's leaders have been in con-
Alliance and it is holding frequent
In trying to find q way out of the
crisis Lloyd George is reported to be
seeking to influence the mine owners to
make larger concessions, but apparent
ly has had little success in that direc-
tion. The miners latest position on the
wage question alone was that they
would be willing to accept an average
daily wage reduction of shillings.
The reduction proposed by the mina
owners was 4 shillings.
London May Be in Darkness
Should general strike mater;alize
London would be hard nit, as, in addi-
tion 70 heavy reduction, if not stop
page of all forms of transit. q wall
out of electrical workers would affect
the lighting. The telephone and tele-
graph systems, which the government
operates, would be little interrupted.
Considerable rioting is reported in
Scotland. where the extremists are still
defying the orders of the Miners Fed
Grafton not to moiest the safety men,
and in Wales the pump men are work
ing under police and military protec-
tion.
Recruiting of the defense forces ia
slowing down as the quotas are being
obtained. estimates introduced in Par
liament yesterday being on a basis of
o4o.oO0 men under arms. Should it be
necessary the total doubtless would be
increased, as men on foreign service
and in Ireland heavily reduce the mum
Der of troops available
The official attitude OF labor is voiced
through The Daily Herald. the labor
which ~