The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-05

London, April 5.-Britain's threat
ened general strike was deferred to-
day when transport workers ad-
journed without taking a vote.
Called to decide what action to take
in supporting the mine strike, trans
port workers considered only routine
reports. .--.s ----.,-- -e-s---
They are expected to take joint ac-
ton with the railway union whose ex-
ecutives meet here tomorrow.
Back to War Times.
Great Britain today was thrown
back into war time by the coal strike.
To combat what was accepted as a
threatened industrial revolution, gov
ernment agencies were empowered to
assume control of mines, food, manu-
factures and shipping, street car lines,
canals. harbors, export trade, lighting
and all means of transportation. Some
of these were to be taken over today.
Authorities were prepared to in
troduce the most severe restrictions
since the armistice.
Prince of Wakes Joins.
Sir Robert Horne today outlined the
governments position on the miners
demand He made a lengthy address
in commons touching on previous ne
gotiations with the miners, the condi-
ton of the business and declared again
that the governm ent will not subsidize
the industry.
The prince of Wales attended the
sitting. He followed the address in
terestedly from a seat in the gallery.
Horne insisted that the taxpayers al
ready are overburdened and would not
permit a subsidy for what is already
one of the most favored industries.
Whole Nation Menaced.
"The whole trade of the country is
menaced by this strike" Sir Robert
Horne told commons. The mining
industry itself will suffer a serious dis
aster-"
Sir Robert declared that the British
coal industry suffered greatly in the
last strike. which lasted two weeks.
I'VE lost a number of markets be-
cause we couldn't supply the COAL he
said. America profited by ouI
losses"
The miners, he said. demanded last
fall that the price of coal to the con-
sumer be reduced.
Now" he declared, they are de-
manding that the consumer be taxed
in order to subsidize the industry and
keep their wages up"
To carry out its industrial program
the government already has begun
extensive military and naval move
ments The navy recalled all mer
from furloughs and stopped leaves
Troops were distributed in such way
as to give the government the great
est aid, both i'm carrying on industrie:
and in preserving peace.
Government Action Prompt.
Railway men meet tomorrow. Th'
session of the Railway and Transpor
unions will determine definitel!
whether Britain faces a near-revolu
ton. The three great groups form
the triple alliance, comprising owe
powerful labor army in the country
The governments promptness il
meeting the challenge was disturbing
to transport and railway leaders. Al
a result it was indicated today the!
may urge delaying the strike vot'
until negotiations have been resumed
between miners, colliery owners anC
government agents
Hurry to ForestalI Cuts.
Railway and transport workers wer'
anxious to act however. to forestal
any movement to cut their wages
They believed any reduction made foi
miners will be applied to them next
Transporters appeared to be tn
reader to take strike action. The raj
workers were expected more time he
fore acting.
The entire alliance fears other
owners of the industry were intent OF
slashing wages to the starvation
point"
Unemployment figures leaped b,
the thousands Thirty thousand tan
merry workers Joined the idle today