The New York herald., 1921-05-01
BALK AT UNLOADING
j. S. COAL In BRITAIN
Transport Workers Aid Strik-
ing Miners, but Fuel Is
Moved Anyway.

Special cable to THE New York HERALD.
| Copuri0ht, 1891, by THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
London, April 80.
| The coal miners of the British Isles
have settled down for fight to the
finish with the mine owners, after the
utter failure of the representatives OF
! both sides, with the Government pres
ent, to reach anything like basis FOR
an agreement after ten days of hopeful
negotiations.
The coal scarcity is becoming so
acute here that industries are strug-
Cling on with greatest difficulty and
vast increase of unemployment is al
most sure next week. Coal rationinG is
causing serious irritation TO the Govern
ment and Its supply Is getting low. but
trade officials say they can hold on Tor
some time longer
Coal is being received here from Amer
lea as rapidly as possible. and although
the transport workers have definitely
refused to unload 1t or to move 1t, act
ing in sympathy with the striking min
ers, 1t was admitted that the coal was
being unloaded and delivered where It
would do the most good. especially for
the supplying of bakeries and other In
dustries for the public welfare. Not
only are further large American ship
menus expected here. but they are
counted on to relieve the situation.
Sir Robert Horne, Chancellor of the
T,xchequer. who has represented the
Government In the negotiations between
the striking miners and the mine own
crs told the House of Commons that
the Government had struggled very hard
to see that an agreement was reached
49,. ,,,1 thn org "a N
hao made generous offer to the
miners.
I'VE offered TO provide FLO. 900, 900 In
order to assist in the wage funds for
distribution among the miners during
the next four months" he said. I'VE
have now been informed that the real
reason for the continuance of the stop
rage of the mine output is because rec
ognition has not been given to the fun
oamental principle which the miners
persist in--a principle of national a.
rangement whereby the weak districts
shall be subsidized by the stronger dis
tricts in the coal fields.
"The stoppage, which is bringing great
misery to the whole country, including
the miners themselves. is now disclosed
to be for a political object and 1t will
very soon be brought to an end"
The miners executive committee said
the stoppage might last another month.
However, the mine owners hope to ap-
peal to the miners In their own districts.
with the object Of making the best ar
rangements possible, but the leaders OF
the strikers say the districts will stand
| by the Miners Federation.
Further drastic cuts in the train ser
vice will go into effect next week 1t is
now regarded as certain that the under
ground trains and the tram car service
will be affected to such an extent that
the public will be inconvenienced great
iy. The hardships attendant on the
strike are now extending into the min
ing districts where thousands OF persons
are relying on the soup kitchens Tor
their chief food supply.
There has been some rioting, but or
minor character. It has been caused
principally over the theft OF coal. How
ever. the troops have been able to keep
good order SO far.
The Cabinet is considering the moving
OF clocks forward another hour for day
light saving on account OF the coal
crisis. This will make an advance Of
two hours in the time this summer. Ex-
perts are collecting the necessary data
for a measure to be introduced in Par
lament and 1t is almost certain of pas
sage. although farmers are making their
usual protest against IL.