The New York herald., 1921-04-07

in wages on the rail decontroi next
August is having its effect, and little
DOUBT was expressed In railroad circles
that they would go out IL they were
called upon TO do so.
That the more sober unionlst poiiti-
clans and the mine owners succeeded
in showing the radicals the time was
not ripo for such action Is considered
the surest proof that the bulk OF British
labor is not affected by the virus OF
direct action" ana 2olshevism.
The present prospect of a settlement
or the strike came at the end of day
that was crowded with conferences. The
Cabinet, the executives OF the transport
workers union and the executives OF tho
railroad mems union all were in session
this morning.
At noon the workers conference un-
expectediy issued a fighting statement.
promising to back up the miners with
whatever steps were necessary, and
then the executives OF all three OF the
unions in the Triple Alliance went into
4 conference while the Cabinet went 70
the House Of Commons.
Premier Takes Hand.
1, was across these battle lines that
the Prime Minister threw the peace bait
He wrote Identical notes to the mine
owners and the miners. calling attention
to his statement in the House OF Conn
mons last night, when he rendered the
good offices OF the Government toward
reopening the negotiations.
The mine owners Immediately accepted
the plan, but the miners issued state
ment in which they said:
The Prime Minister lays down certain
conditions as preliminary to reopen
ing of the negotiations. A part OF these
conditions already have been met by
the federation. and a communication
has been sent to all our members say
ing 1t is not our policy TO let the pit
ponies die, and instructing our people
to cooperate with the various managers
to raise these ponies"
The statement charges that IN sew
eral cases mine managers left the
ponies In the mines to drown against
the expressed wishes OF local workers
because they had no surface accom-
nlodations for them. 1t continued:
The other condition laid down by
the Government-that relating to pump
ing-is one we have been considering
| and we have informed the Prime Min
lister that we think the laying down
OF this condition is quite unnecessary
and ought not In any case to be a bar
to any meeting taking place between
the owners, the worknien and the Gov
ernment. We still desire that a meet
ing should take place with n view to
arriving as speedily as possible at an
honorable settlement Of the existing
dispute"
| While specifically the Government is
sticking to conditions of no subsidy for
the miners and no Government contro,
OF the mines, a report gained circula-
tion In the Hobbies OF the House of Com
mons tonight that the Government
might consider the advisability OF item.
porary financial aid to, the Industry
/ pending a final settlement OF the strike
dispute Five million pounds sterling
has been mentioned as the amount nee
| essary to sustain the losing industry on
the present wage basis until an agree.
| ment can be reached, but some experts
estimate that the sum may run a hun
dred millions sterling more, In view OF
| tn extreme technical involvement OF the
mine wage schedules and the long drawn
out difficulties OF negotiating with these
schedules as a basis.
Strikers Growing Ugly.
The negotiations also are begun lust
In time to relieve the anxiety over a
wrecking of the mines. The strikers are
beginning to show an ugly mood in
many districts, and many mine pits are
reported to be In dangerous condition
| IN so far us food and fire are con-
cerned. despite the efforts OF the yolun-
| teer workers UhO in manu- gpgto1.o.