The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-31

fic on the railroads fell off so badly
that $4,000 railroad men could not
be reinstated after the general strike
and 100000 were employed on a
parti.time basis only.
Merchants Suffered
The purchasing power of the
population fell off and retails stores
in turn suffered Millions Of dol
lars worth of foreign orders were
lost through the sheer inability OF
factories to produce goods wanted
Toward the end of the strike sup
plies of coal began coming in from
Germany and the United States
but principally Germany-at the
rate of 100000 tons a week, but
this was scarcely more than enough
to supply the winter needs Of house
holders and what surplus there was
for factory needs came far too late
to repair the damage done through
the earlier loss OF orders and mar
lSets. Economically, 1926 was a
back year for British business.
In the field of international pol
itics Britain during the year scored
three notable achievements. The
first was the successful engineering
Of the LOcarno treaties, long step
toward inaugurating an era of bet
ter understanding among European
nations. The second was the tactful
handling of the delicate situation in
the League of Nations in such a
way that Germany's entry into the
League was not vetoed. Credit for
both these achievements must large
ly be given to England's foreign
secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain
Succeeds i'm Diplomacy
The third success was the negotia-
ton of an agreement with Turkey
over the Mosul oil fields. a dispute
that at one time was feared would
bring England dangerously close to
war with Turkey.
Aside from the general strike and
the coal stoppage, public interest in
politics during the year mostly cen
tered on the passage of the betting
tax, the electricity bill, and the
triennial meeting of the imperial
conference at London. Despite bit
ter opposition and predictions that
it could never be made to work, the
betting tax assessing a tax of from
212 to per cent on all forms of
betting finally passed the House of
Commons and is in successful oper-
alton today. 1t is estimated 1t will
yield the treasury revenue of about
$25.5O0,OOO a year.
The electricity BILL sponsoring a
$3.50, 100000 project for the creation
of a series of gigantic super-power
electrical stations placed at strategic
points throughout England, with
feeder lines running through to the
remotest hamlets, is now before
parliament. Backers of the bill
claim that only by the creation of
such stations and the production of
cheap electricity can England equip
herself to compete on better basis
with the power products of the
United States.
Birth Rate Declines
Although the marriages per thou
sand Of population Increased con-
siderably over previous years in
1926, the birthrate continued the
slow decline that has marked prac-
tically every year since the war.
Delegates to the Imperial Con
ference held in London in October
and November achieved a consider
able measure of success in the main
aim of the conference, the tighten
ing of the economic bonds of the
British Empire. Great impetus was
given to the closer linking of the en-
pire through the extension Of air
routes and faster cable and radio
services. Plans were also laid for
the expansion of inter-empire trade,
and the development of empire mo-
ton pictures to compete with for
eign-produced pictures.
Although there was a slight re-
Taxing of the Chinese boycott
against British goods, the British
employers of Chinese labor, during
the latter months Of the year, the
boycott in one district or another
continued throughout the year re-
sulting in total loss to British
trade estimated in the neighborhood
of 5O,000O 900. The successes Of the
Cantonese troops especially during
October and November, paved the
way it is believed for early recogni-
ton Of the Cantonese government
Of South China.