Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-29
100000 WORKERS
STRIKE IN ENGLAND
$500 Mills Closed in Lam
Cashire District Over
Wage Cut.
BIZ the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
MANCHESTER, England, July 90
The biggest stoppage in the British in
dustrial world since the famous general
strike of 1926 and the greatest tie-up
in the cotton industry for decade be-
gan in Lancashire today. Approximately
half a million hands were idle; some
1,500 mills, scattered over a wide ter
ritory, but centering in this big indus
trial city, were affected when the work.
ers remained away from the factories
rather than accept a wage cut of 1921
per cent.
The heart of the British cotton IN
dustry is faced with probably the worst
time in its long and frequently troubled
history since mediation by the ministry
Of labor has failed. Figures on the
number of mills continuing to work at
the old rates or in which the workers
accepted the cut were slow coming in,
but it was estimated at noon that not
more than score of plants were oper-
ating with any degree of effectiveness.
s5,OO0,000 Week Loss.
If the stoppage continues for week,
it is estimated that the half million
total of idle hands will be augmented
by 100000 more workers in the dis
tributive and allied cotton trades. The
loss of the mill workers in wages will
total at least $5,000,000 a week.
Even today Lancashire hoped that the
government would be able to reopen
negotiations. It was reported here that
Premier Macdonald contemplated per-
sonal intervention. A statement by Sir
Horace Wilson, permanent secretary Of
the ministry of labor, blamed the en-
ployers for the lockout. Sir Horace said
the workers had all along offered to
submit the dispute to court of arbitra-
ton and to accept the courts decision.
The ministry under Miss Margaret
Bondfield followed the situation closely
Miss Bondfield also issued a statement
this morning. 1.-THE minister of labor
has received report of negotiations
which took place last week in the cot
ton trade and has considered the pres
ent position. She is watching the Sit
uation with the greatest anxiety, but
feels there is no action which the de-
partment can helpfully take at present" :"
Strike Decided Saturday.
= The strike was automatic, having
been decided upon Saturday. Last
minute efforts to avert it Saturday and
Sunday failed. 1t affected almost the
entire Lancashire cotton industry, with
the exception of few plants outside
the employers federation which were
still operating.
It was the outgrowth of continued
depression in the textile trade, which
three weeks ago led to an announce
ment by employers that 1914 per cent
reduction in wgaes would be made
nffpptiUn SATURDAY. rTnn UynrHnrcs 1IniAnS
refused to accept the reduction and
ordered the strike when efforts at nego-
tiating their differences were rebufted
by the employers.
Nearly every city and town in Lanca-
shire is affected by the strike, which is
expected to cause a loss in wages Of
about 100000 (about $5,000,000)
weekly. All mills were open as usual
today for the workers, but the unions
were stanch.
Mills whose owners are not members
they could continue paying the old
wage rate temporarily. They employ
only a few thousand out of Lancashire'S
workers.
Many Others May Go Out.
Some, in reckoning the probable
effect of the strike on other industries,
10000 to 100000 bleacherS,
dyers and finishers would be thrown
out of work shortly or reduced as
result of the strike. The greater part
of the $4,000 tons of coal used in the
mills each week will cease, depriving
miners of their occupation, while miners
and railroad and shipping men also will
be affected. :.
The Lancashire wage scales are based
on piece work with complicated lists.
The employers demanded the workers
accept a reduction of shillings and
6 pence on the pound, or about 12R
cents on the dollar.
There was some feeling some sort OF
government action still could save the
day and prevent the misery and f1nan-
cial depression which inevitably follows
British trade disputes. In this event
the operating spinning section probably
would ask for resumption OF negotia-
tions on their own account. Tt is ex-
pected the mill owners would meet them
half way.
Among the mills remaining working
were those of the Broadhurst Lee Co.
at Manchester, employing 1000 hands,
and another of the same firm at Bolton,
employing 1000 hands. There were II
mills working at Bolton, two at Pres.
ton, and several at Radcliffe and
Rosendale.