Evening star., 1950-08-24
Canada Will Mobilize
Commercial Aircraft
In Rail Strike Crisis
By the Associated Press

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BY the Associated Press
OTTAWA, Aug. 24.-The gov
ernment obtained authority today
to mobilize and control all COM
mercial aircraft to cope with a
/ three-day-old rail strike threaten
ing to paralyze this country's
economy.
Officials said they would not use
the authority unless the strike
causes a further deterioration in
transport facilities. These ad-
mittedly are already hard hit.
Under the order the government
has power to ration passenger traf-
fic and dispatch commercial air.
craft for any point in Canada for
emergency use.
The walkout of $4,000 non-
operative rail workers who are
pressing for higher pay and 40
hour week has made thousands
of others idle. More probably will
be laid off as the strike continues.
Shortages Are Felt.
The nation faced the gloomy
prospect of widespread shutdown
of its heavy industry and Of heavy
losses in sales and distribution.
Canada's millions already felt
a shortage of mail and a total
lack of telegraphic services.
The government has called an
emergency session of Parliament
for next Tuesday to discuss what
action it will take on the paralyz-
ing walkout. Because of the rail
Istoppage, many Parliament mem
bers are to be flown in by a spe-
cial airlift.
Big cities like Saskatchewan,
dependent on rail-hauled coal for
their power houses. faced electri-
cal shortages.
AS the quick effects of the
strangulation swept across the
country refinery workers, packing
house workers. base metal miners
and flour mill operators went
home with nothing to do.
Coal Miners Face Layoff.
| BY the end of the week the
strike is expected to be felt also
in Nova Scotia, Alberta and Brit
ish Columbia. Nearly $4,000 coal
miners in three provinces may be
laid off. So might nearly 5000
auto workers in Oshawa and
Hamilton. Ont.
Western wheat farmers and On
tario peach producers expected
critical results from the lack of
rail transportation which carries
their products and which bring
migratory harvest workers to their
fields.
No direct government inter-
vention was in prospect before
the opening of Parliament. The
administration stood by its deci-
sion to have the legislators share
responsibility for any action.
Cabinet Meets Again.
Members from Central Canada
are expected, to reach Ottawa
without aid. The airlift will help
those east of Quebec and west
of the Lakehead.
The Cabinet was. meeting again
today, continuing talks on what
action it would ask Parliament to
take in regard to the strike.
Prime Minister Louis st. Lau-
rent said yesterday no final deci-
SONS had been taken by the cab
met.
Meanwhile. industries dependent
for supplies on the Canadian Ma
tional and Canadian Pacific rail
systems face early closedowns.
Some already have begun.
ROOD shortage Threat.
Food shortages threatened.
Some industrial issues on the
Stock Exchange took a nosedive.
Travellers were stranded.
Merchants started food ration
ing in the Northern Ontario towns
of Gogama. Hornepayne, Foleyet,
Nakina and Armstrong.
In Atikokan, a Northwestern
Ontario mining town, it was esti-
mated food will last only until
Monday.
Meat and milk already have
been used up. F. A. Cox, town sec
retary. said. The only bakery in
the town Of 5000 has plenty of
flour. but its yeast is almost ex-
hausted.
Atikokan, which has no road
outlet and no regular air service,
has appealed for mercy train"
on the Canadian National Rail-
ways.
Coal Miners Laid OFF.
Union Leader Frank Hall said
his unions will give cooperation
where any real emergency exists"
Three thousand Novia Scotia
coal miners were laid off, because
of lack of coal cars. Similar re-
ports came from other parts of
the nation.
Should the strike be called of
before Parliament opens, it was
considered likely the government
would shelve temporarily any
planned legislation to forestall
future stoppages of this kind.
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