New Britain herald., 1926-05-13

it wss far easier to start a general strike than to halt one. There was some improvement in conditions this morning. but the citizens who retired last night with the thought that his troubles were ended was amazed upon awakening to find that ne still had to walk and endure much the same inconvenience.
 Even in London volunteers con- tinued to man the comparative few buses running, hardly any tramcars were functioning, and the subway was about the same as yesterday.
 The authorities predicted that things would begin to right them- selves forthwith although it would take considerable time before condi- tions approached anything like normal.
 Miners Not Affected As far as the miners are concern ed. their strike against lower wages and longer hours continues, and nothing is expected 10 develop before their national meeting of delegates here tomorrow.
 Much agitation was shown at trades union congress headquarters this morning on account of the men not returning to work. and 1t was admitted the situation was serious though not alarming.
 Ramsay Macdonald, J. H. Thomas, Arthur Pugh, Ernest Bevan and other leaders were at the headquar- ters today, and after a conference hurried away in different directions.
 Official Statements
 A trades union congress spokcs- man told the Associated Press:
 "1he situation confronting the country just at this time is not brought about so much by unwilling ness of the men to return 10 work as by the obstinate defiant attitude of the employers who in so many in- stances, according to our reports this morning. have refused point blank to take them back"
 Sir William Johnson Hicks, the home secretary broadcast a message saying:
 "The government is sure that all employers who have been assisted in meeting requirements Of the emergency by volunteer labor will recognize the great civic service those men performed and will desire to deal generously with them.
 Tt is suggested that employees dis pcnsing without notice with the serv- ices of any paid voluntary workers should follow the practice which the government propose to pursue, and grant q gratutity of at least two days pay"
 Split Is Feared
 There is a feeling in labor circles that the happenings since the falling off Of the general strike may cause q split between the trades union congress and the miners. and that when the miners delegates meet in Kingsway hall tomorrow it will be another black Friday" similar 10 that in 1921 when the railway and transport workers greed to back the miners but the railmen suddenly withdrew.
 At the moment the feeling is that the position is serious enough for the general council of the T. |. C. to con- vene an extra special session at which the T. L. C. may be compelled 10 take control of the situation again and ask the government to explain it's policy. Union officials says the en- ployers are insisting that the strikers sign on as new men and torcgo | many benefits. They declare this ! cannot be allowed.
 Reading May Be Named
 Lord Reading, former vicerov of ! India, may be chosen neutral chair ! man of the suggested advisory com ! mittc for reorganization of the min- . ing industry. Lord Reading has been , in the peers gallery on every occasion ' on which the coal dispute was dis 1 cussed. This morning he interviewed Premier Baldwin prior to the cabinet . at which the whole situation |