Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-07
CONFERENCE ON
MINERS STRIKE
.EBR0KEN UP
Lloyd George Announces
That Conference Comes
to Abrupt End.

Force used by Miners to
Keep Volunteers Out
of Mines.
London, April 7.-(By the As
sodated Prcss.)-A complete
breakup of the conference be-
tween representatives OF the min
crs, the owners and the govern |
mcnt with the view to settling the /
coal strike was announced in the
house of commons by Premier
lloyd George this afternoon.
London, April .--(By the Associ-
ated Press. with the breakdown of
the conference between the coal own
ers and the striking miners, concern
ing the wage dispute this morning:
and the almost immediate decision of
the railway men to join the transport
workers in supporting the miners,
Great Britain this evening was
trembling on the edge of an indus
trial precipicc.
The prime minister, Mr.. Lloyd
George, who had attempted media
of the negotiations to the house OF
commons at mid afternoon, adding
the significant statement that the is
sue raised was much wider than that
of wages. This was interpreted gen.
orally as meaning that the govern
lnent and the miners. to all lntents
and purposes, were again at grips
over the old question of nationaliza
tion of the mines
H A Ray Of Hope.
Some ray of hope appeared in tho
debate in tho
when J. r. Clynes, chairman of the
parliamentary labor party, and others
pleaded with the prime minister to
call the miners and owners again to-
gether, with neither side Offering
conditions as the basis for the re-
opening of negotiations One of the
members of the miners executive
body, Samuel Finney declared the
miners were willing to negotiate on
this basis and the debate generally
showed desire to make every effort
to bring the contestants together
again.
Meanwhile, the representatives of
the railway men. the transport work.
CTS and the miners were .conferring to-
decide what immediate steps should
be taken to enforce the miners de-
mands. Both the railway and trans
port men had stated their intention
of giviig The miners full support. but
no intfanatton was forthcoming as TO
whether this would mean a nation
wide strike.
The government. on the other
y isssst sanj sfsl isssfey 5ystsi sfhs ems
ployment Of all"the facilities Of the
army and navy.
Force is Used.
London, April 7.-Reports from
MINING that the
strikers were adopting a more ag-
gressive attitude to make volunteers
stop keeping the collieries free from
water. In numerous instances force
was. used. AT Borrowstounnes Scot
land, miners today threw bombs at
pit head to intimidate volunteer work
ers in the mine. No material dam
age was done.
London, April 7.-(By the Asso-
ciated Press)-The National Union of
Railwaymen today unanimously de-
cided to support the. coal miners in
their strike.
Pumpmen Still Out.
London, April 7.-(By the Associat-
ed Press)-Leaders of the miners
union, who conferred with Prime
Minister Lloyd George this morning,
refused to order pumpmen and engi-
neers in mines affected by the coal
strike, to resume work, pending nego-
tiations with the mine owners. AS
the result of this srefusal the miners
and their employers will not meet to-
day.
Await Decision.
Leaders of the transport workers
federal on, which already has de-
cided to support the miners. met this
morning, but adjourned until O'Clock
"a, FA2 ;,, ,I.1n nf hoN
might learn the result of the confer.
ence Of the miners and the prime
minister before deciding what form
the support will take.
The National Union of RailwaymeT
also convened during the forenoon
y but it remained in session to hear the
result of the premiers conferenc"
The conference Of the prime min
!: lister and the miners leaders LASTED
upwards of two hours. Mr.. Lloyc
George, who was accompanied by Sill
Robert S. Horne, the chancellor OF
e the exchequer; Thomas j. MacNa
mara, minister of labor, and official!
of the mines department urged the
miners to accede to the owners con
dition that pumping be resumed pend
ing negotiations. This the miners
representatives declared they were
unable to consent to and shortly after
adjournment of the conference thu
ment! saying:
'sThe negotiations have broker
down. - Il
May Gall Navy Men.
Queenstown, Ireland, April T.
Naval units here and at other port
had been instructed, as a result of th'
strike of British miners, to hold them
selves in readiness for emergenc!
service. Shore leave has been cur
tailed, even officers being required t.
return to their ships by $3.50 O'CLOCK
in the evening. Naval officials view
the situation as being filled with tn,
gravest possibilities.
The question of shifting large mum
bers Of the crown forces in ireland
to England, il disorders ensue hai
been fully considered, 1t is understood
and ii such steps should be taken, j
is said, the forces transferred vii
probably include many auxi1iaries re
garded az especially qualified by thei
work in Ireland to deal with element
seeking to stir up trouble Omcials
however, are aware of the possibtb 1t!
that the Irish Republican army ma.
take advantage of the opportunity Of
fered by disorders in England, ant
military authorities are reluctant t
decrease the forces in ireland.
FARMER MURDERED.
. \. y f. . ,1It 7 y s.