Evening star., 1921-04-10
Men Agree to unconditional
Conference" With Coal
Operators Tomorrow.
LABOR LEADERS ORDER
NO VIOLENCE BE DONE
Changed Attitude Brings Conf
dence That General Walkout
Has Been Avoided.
RN the .ASso..iared Press

LONDON. April 9.-The strike OF the
coal miners. which threatened to
carry with it Il general strike of the
railwaymen and transport workers
seems now to be in fair way OF
set.lemea: through negotiations.
The dispute throughout has been
fruitful of surprises. and another one
was sprung tonight. when after con-
ferences and interviews between the
parties concerned lasting all day long
and when it was supposed that all
efforts to move the miners had proved
Intellectual. it was suddenly an
and that conference with the coal
owners had been convened for Mon
day to discuss the questions involved,
while notices were sent to the mining
districts urging abstention from any
action that would interfere with
necessary measures for the safety of
the mines
The only explanation yet available
as to what inducements were offered
to the miners to remove their rooted
objection to asserting to steps as
suring the safety of the mine owners
property is the somewhat cryptic
statement of Frank Hodges, secretary
of the miners union. THE conference
was arranged Internationally"
Confident of Settlement.
Whether the rumors that the govern
ment is willing that the wage aues-
tion should be adjusted on a national
basis may be held to explain the change
in the situation is unknown If, as
Mr.. Hodges suggests. the government
and mine owners have really agreed
to. an unconditional conference. that
would be sufficient to induce the miners
to yield the pumping point. In any
case. the unexpected agreement gives
the Eyeliest hopes that the struggle
which would have swept the country
will be avoided.
Arthur Henderson, the labor leader.
who is in close touch with all the
negotiations. although not personally
concerned in today's meetings with
Premier Lloyd George, was tonight
full of confidence that there will be
no general strike Tuesday.
Triple Alliance Statement.
The executive committee of the
triple alliance. after a conference with
the premier. issued the following
statement tonight:
ut has been agreed that: First, the
government shall summon a confer
ence of representatives of the Miners
Federation and the coal owners at
the board of trade at IL o'clock Mon
day morning to discuss the question
in dispute between the two parties.
and. second. the Miners Federation
shall tonight issue notices TO the
federation's branches, urging the
miners to abstain from any action
interfering with measures necessary
for insurins the safety of the mines,
Or necessitating the use of force by
the government
The statement was issued by Mr.
of the National Union of Rai,waymen,
and Mr.. Thomas, in an interview, said
II was the result of negotiations be-
tween the railwaymen. transport
workers and the government, and
had been accepted by the miners.
The triple alliance will remain in
permanent session during the nego-
tiations. in ordor, il necessary. to give
effect to their previous decisions.
Press A.sociation Hopeful.
Concerning the probability of a set
clement. the Press Association says:
There is definite hope that the nego-
tiations will proceed smoothly and
tEat not only will active intervention
By the raiiwaymen and transport
workers be averted. but that the min
ers' stoppage will be ended. The
early return of the pumpmen is pos
sIble.
Throughout the day the representa-
lives of the triple alliance continued
their efforts to bring about negot,a-
tions between the miners and the gov
ernment. After the third interview
between a deputation of railwaymen
and transport workers with the pre-
nnier at Downing street. J. II. Thomas
and Harry GosIing, leader of the
transport workers, reported that the
deputation was going to discuss mat
tiers again with the miners. but would
not see the premier again until to-
morrow.
At this conference Sir Eric t;edd.s
Lord Birkenhead. Sir Robert S. Horn.
Austen Chamberlain and other mem
bers of the government were present,
After this conference the prime minis
tar vent to Buckingham Palace and had
an audience with the king
During the day 1t was reported that
provided the pumping difficulty could
be surmounted. the government was
not averse to negotiating the wage
question on a national basis, as claimed
by the miners. II is not absoiutel,
certain, however, that the governme n,
will go that far with respect to wages
Military Precautions Proceed.
The cabinet today sanctioned meas
ures to insure the safety Of the mines
and batChes Of naval ratings w~r. sen,
10 Wales ami Scotland 20 protect til,
volunteers and bumpers. together with
additional troops to aid the civil author.
-: fcnnfiana6 -ansh0DxEoiHRakI