The Washington times., 1924-09-10
j. s. AGITAT0R
ST|RS UP IRISH
LABOR
Strikes Were Diminishing in
Emerald Isle Till James
LaFkin Arrived
BY DANIEL O'CONNELL,
international NeMs Service.


DUBLIN, Sept. 10.-For some
years strikes have been running
Ireland's industries. Scarcely one
new enterprise has been started in
any part Of the country. Capital
has been tied up by the fear that
no sooner would a factory be
started than a strike would be
declared. Dockyards and factories
have been closed, and industrial
distemper set in.
About a year ago a more reason
able attitude was taken by the
trade union officials and strikes
became more uncommon. Then
came James Lafkin on the scene
after his release from Sing Sing
Prison in America. He imme.
diately started q new trade union
strikes In the last twelve months.
His propaganda was openly RED"
He claimed to be the member for
Moscow in the Soviet. He fought
with the regular trade union
officials and ended up in several
libel actions. in all of which he
was beaten. He has now left
Ireland and is understood to be in
GNuSoi9t Uut HIS
on his work here.
Recently they tried to shut down
the principal railroad in the south
OF Ireland and tried to intimidate
the other workers, but the regular
trades union men met them with a
flat contradiction, and though VIC
lence was attempted by the Larkin.
ties on a few occasions, they were
worsted and two or three Of them
found themselves in the Litfey
Ireland is probably seeing the last
OF Larkin's rule.
Irish Athletics.
II there was one thing that
the Tailtean games. proved it was
that Irish athletics are in a poor
way. The games, in a way, were .
success, but were very poorly pat.
ronized by the people. Although
the Irish teams competed in dozena
OF events as compared with the
small entry Of Americans they
could barely equal the total points
scored by the United States.
w. @. Osborne Omitted Stntes)
was the hero Of the whole under.
taking. In every competition in
which he competed he won first
place-from putting the shot to
high and long jumping. Not for a
long time has such an all-around
good athlete been seen here. /: has
been decided that the next Tailtean
games win be held in Dublin in
1928, not later than seven days
pic games at AmSterdama.
Gaining in Killarney.
The project Of turning Killarney
into a casino appears to be bearing
fruit. The Earl Of Kenmare and his
son, Lord Castlerosse, both Of whom
own immense property in this local
ity, and several American million
aires are said to be interested In the
proposal.
Certainly nowhere in the world
Is there more wonderful scenery
than on the famous lakes. 1t is
understood the intention is to build
huge hotels and gambling halls
which would rival Monte Carlo. But
first of all 1t must be sanctioned by
the government OF the Free State,
which 1t Is believed will be forth
coming.
WIN IuS EcLuEu OL NORMAL COnul'
tons in ireland trade has bucked
up considerably. but high cost Of
living still greatly hampers trade.
It Is reckoned that the houswife's
weekly bill here in Dublin is fifty
per cent more than In the London
home. However, bankruptcies in
the Free State have materially re.
duced this year as compared with
last, the total for the year being
only seventy.