The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-15
Eleventh HOUR
PARLEY FAILED
Miners Refused to Reopen
Wage Dispute With Owners.
Big Concessions Offered on De-
mand of Lloyd George.
REPUDIATE PEACE PROPOSALS
British Railway Men Cancel
WaIkOut Order.
Decision Comes After Miners
Refusal to Confer.
MUST FIGHT ALL ALONE
Little Chance for Victory With
out Promised Support.
All Preparations by Army and
Navy Complete.
Little Chance for Victory With
out Promised Support.
All Preparations by Army and
Navy Complete.

London, April 15.-An unexpected
and sensational split in the ranks OF
the powerful triple alliance of labor
this afternoon completely changed the
con1plexion of the blackest industrial
crisis Great Britain had ever faced,
and averted the projected strike OF
railwaymen and transport workers in
sympathy with the miners.
Declaring the miners were wrong N
refusing to reopen negotiations with
eolliery owners, railway and transport
workers called off tl-eir sympathstlc
strike scheduled to begin at 10 p m.
The decision came after hours OF
suspense. At one time, all hope Of
peace was lost. Premier Lloyd George
appeared before the house OF COM
mons to announce that the miners had
refused to reopen negotlatloI1s on tne
terms suggested last night by Frank
Hodges, their secretary. 1t was be-
lievcd then that the general strike
could not be averted.
Thirty minutes later. it was an
noulced that the triple allance hau
reecinded their strike call
This left the miners fighting alone
for their demands. These were re-
garded as more political than lndus-
trial Miners asked that mining pro1-
its thruout the nation be pooled anu
that a. national wage board be instl-
tuted.
The calling of a conference of rep
resentatives of the miners from all the
coal fields at a date to be f1xed to-
morrow was decided upon by the eX-
ecutive of the miners federation TINS TINS
evening. It took this action after
hearing the decision of the railway
men and transport workers to cancel
their sympathetic strike.
Frank Hodges, the miners secre-
tary. when questioned regarding this
decision said it meant that the miners
strike would continue.
Cannot Win Alone.
Secretary Frank Hodges last night
informed members of parliament that
the miners at last were ready to dis
cuss wages first. On that suggestion,
Premier Lloyd George formally in
vited the men to renew negotiations.
The premier and colliery owners
were kept waiting more than an hour
before the miners repudiated Hodges S
offer.
Then followed Lloyd Georges grave
announcement in commons and final
ly. the dramatic act of the triple al
Fighting alone. 1t was believed. the
miners cannot enforce tt cir demands.
The shortage of coal is acute and
many Industries have hoen shut down
as result but the government has a
host of volunteers who are expected
to relieve the situation. somewhat.
Demand National Scale.
The prime minister announced the
miners refused to discuss the matter
of wages unless the owners agreed on
a national wage scale and a pooling
of all profits of all mines This is a
renewal of their original demands.
1t Is persistently reported that
Frank Hodges. secretary of the
miners union, whose statement to
parliament members last night was to
form the basis for today's renewed
negotiations. had resigned. If this
were true, it might mean that Hodges
did not have the support of the
miners in his attempt to settle the
strike.
Army and Navy Ready.
Mingling with the crowds were
hundreds of soldiers and sailors.
equipped, except for weapons, for i'm
mediate service.
The military showing further i'm
pressed on the street crowds the fact
that the zero" hour was approaching.
They watched the hands on the big
tower clocks as they slowly circled
toward noon. When Big Ben
doomed IL O'Clock, depression settled
over the crowds. That meant there
were but ten hours remaining in
which to call off the general strike.
Miners in Secret Session.
Nothing in the appearance of the
miners leaders this morning indicated
they were preparing for settlements
Most of them were up to late hour
last night. They were haggard. Re
plies to questions flung at them were
in monosyllables. The session was
secret
The miners refused to confirm ru-
mors that Hodges had resigned. If
they were displeased at his peace Of
fer of last night. they did not show