Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04

the world for the seven days
ended January 3, 1881:
4 81
GREAT BRITAIN.-As the year
drew toward its close Britain faced the
possibility of great strikes in two major
industries-coal mining and cotton tex
tiles. For some time merely temporary
agreements had governed in the coal
mining industry, and that for the South
Wales fields, which employ about $780,
900 miners, was due TO lapse at the
years end. The other day general
stoppage was averted through reluctant
acceptance by the miners of the spread
over" system, the wage question being
referred to negotiation, with no present
reductions. The owners continued in
sistent on wage reductions correspond
ent to reduction of working hours; the
miners would not hear thereto. At the
last moment government officials rush.
ed to the mine fields. But intervention
was vain; neither side would bulge. As
the New Year was rung in the strike
order went cut.
However, fresh negotiations now in
progress seem to offer good prospect OF
a settlement A long strike would be
terrible, indeed. The safety men con-
tinue at their posts.
NV understanding is that the Ian
cashire mill owners propose that the
workers shall be required to operate six,
eight or ten looms cat the owners dis
cretion), instead Of the present maxi
mum of four; on new wage basis, 70
be sure, but not presumably CORE
spondent to the addition in number OF
looms. Some 100000 workers are In
volved, the old agreement expiring yes
terday.
The total of registered unemployment
on December % last was about 2,408,-
600. having increased by 900 within
seven days The figure at the be-
ginning of 1880 was about 1908, 600.
During 1880 exports fell of about 20
per cent in the comparison with 1929;
imports IA per cent; taxation rates were
increased in the course of the year, YET
revenues sadly fell off; serious budget
deficit irnpends.
All :. the major tndustries-textiles,
iron and steel, coal, engineering in sun
dry sorts, building-slumped sadly
throughout the year because of the de-
cline of exports; major causes of the lat
ter being the depression in this coun-
nv, the rather curious economic dislo-
cations in Australia, the turmoil in
China and the Indian developments, IN
GLIDING anti-British boycotts.
Agriculture, so long neglected, had its
worst year of several decades. The
government promises remedial legisla-
! ton, but its tentative proposals in that
sense are not very promising.
The 1880 achievement OF the Labor
government in the foreign, common
wealth and imperial fields, was none
too satisfactory. The London Naval
Conference leave appraisal of that
to others. The Egyptian negotiations
! broke down completely. AS to Palestine
-"Paucas Palabras" is the word. Brit
ish participation at Geneva was unim-
pressive, to put it sweetly. The imperial
conference was a fiaSco in an almost
incredible degree. The round-table con-
ference on India may turn out a sue
cess-Heaven knows that success is de-
sirable. is necessary-but its few weeks
record to date is not too reassuring.
The coming session of Parliament
promises to be bitter one; bitterest Of
all. perhaps, will be the fight over the
bill proposing repeal Of the trades dis
pute act.
On the other side, it is reassuring to
| note that 1880 saw the opening of six
new legitimate theaters In London
| intellectually satisfactory, It's said)
and that Sir James Jeans book, 1.-THE
Mysterious Universe" has a tremendous
sale The opening In London of great
Persian art show strikes vivid pic
| turesque note.
The New Year honor list includes
4 peers, baronets and 80 British
knights, while 20 knighthoods are dis
tributed among the dominions. India
and the colonies. Among the new
| barons is Sir Ernest Rutherford, the
| great authority on radium: this beng,
| 1t is said. almost the first peerage
! conferred for eminence in scientific re-
search. It was about time, consider
| ing the number of peerages conferred
/ for indifferent achievement in business,
politics and literature. Sir Ernest Is
3 frst-rater, and the chief glory Of the
Age Il 1Es achievement IN scAencas