The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-10-20

There have been no important walkouts since the general strike of May, 1926.
 Last year, for example, there were 553 disputes affecting 230,000 workers directly and 41,O00 indi- rectly in Great Britain and North ern Ireland.
 Strikes were sporadic, affecting in most cases, only small numbers and were confined largely to min- CTS and transportation workers. Walkouts have decreased steadily during recent years.
 Peaceful Bonds Cited
 Reasons for peaceful relationship between employers and workers are numerous, observers contend.
 Britain's extensive system of in- surances and social legislation, in- volving nearly half the population, are believed chiefly responsible. In addition to government action to improve working conditions and standards of living, private capital also has done considerable to help employees.
 Millions of dollars have been con- tributed annually by private capital in special benefits such as pensions, insurances and vacations with pay. In some cases workers are permit ted to own stock or share in profits.
 That there is an apparent grow ing psychology on the part of cap- ital to recognize that labor is en- titled to increased privileges was expressed recently in an address by the Duke of York.
 He said:
 "Contented workers help to bring industry prosperity. Pleasantness of work and right human relationships affect industrial prosperity, for the success of a business enterprise, as well as of nation, depends ulti- mately upon the willing -coopera- tion of individuals"
 Other factors also contribute to Britain's comparatively small num- Der of strikes.
 Arbitration Is Accepted
 Among these are: Improved busi- ness conditions with subsequent drops in unemployment and higher wages, conservatism of the Briton, willingness of both sides to submit disputes to arbitration, organization of labor in strong unions under re- sponsible leaders, bitter lessons of strikes during quarter of cen- tury, and assistance by the ministry of labor.
 Since 1921. Britain never has had more than 763 labor disputes in one year. During 1894 there were All involving 109,000 workers directly and 41,0O0 indirectly. Total num- Der of work days lost was 960,000.
 During 1926, the year of the gen. eral strike, walkouts affected 2,724,- 900 workers directly and 10000 in- directly. Total work days lost that year numbered 162, ,230,000.
 Strike Impoverished Unions
 Official figures show the general strike increased unemployment i'm mediately by nearly half million. The strike cost an estimated $2,- 500, 100000. Labor leaders discov- cred after the strike was over that wages were not increased, working hours were not reduced, trade unions were impoverished and no one was richer.
 General Federation of Trade Unions place the cost of strikes and lockouts in Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1900 to 1929 at 4,819, 1000, 900 work days and wage losses of $6,023, ,750,000.
 Improved conditions also have helped keep strikes to minimum, according to officials of the ministry of labor.
 Best available estimates place wage increases during the past 12 months at about $175,000,0OO. Of this amount coal miners have re- ceived $4O,0OO,O00.
 Last year 316,000 new houses were built without government financial aid, giving direct work to 250,000.
 Big Bulge in Building
 Total value of building permits this year are expected to reach $50, 100000, or about $80,000, ,000 more than last year.
 Official statistics show Britain's production of steel during April was 984,000 tons, the highest in his tory for a single month. Automobile sales are booming with approxi- mately 500 more sold each month this year than in 1885.
 Tonnage of merchant ships under construction at the end of the first six months of 1886 totaled 5000, or 50 per cent more than a year ago.
 Britain'S rearmament program is providing work for additional