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PAGES TODAY AND EVENING,CHRONICLE EDITION G R EATER CHARLOTTE'S HO ME NEWSPAPER" r f ii iHLOTTR NEWS EntabUsh ed. Dlly, 18S8 Sunday, lain. 1 - Vl 'MG CHHOMCLE E.tablL bed, 1903. T 1W 1 H CHARLOTra, N. C., WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 13, 1921. THE CHARLOTTE NEWS THE EVENING CHRONICLE f Consolidated 1 DDTPP WTtm nnvmr. I May S. 1914. f XVXVJU riVj V-rilMC Irifeti 'Triple Alliaito POWER INCREASE LITIGATION NOW IS BEINGDEBATED( Corporation Commission is Hearing Arguments ot Attorneys on Evidence, i By JFLE B. WARREN, Staff Correspondent of The News. IMldsh, April 13. Argument on the uihc-rn Power Company's petition for 2n invrcas9 in rates began before the Corporation Commission Wednesday and cv?ry indication points to a two (l;iy session of speech-making by the attorneys involved. It took an hour io pt the argument under way because nt ciis.iareements between the lawyers a? to Avliich side was to have the open ins ami closing argument. The com mission finally stopped the wrangling by announcing that in its opinion the Southern Power Company, as the pe titioner, had the right to open and close the argil men t. Then Attorney E. S. Parker for the Protestants made a motion to dismiss the petition on the following grounds: The Southern Power Company is engaged in interstate commerce and Corporation Commission has no author ity to regulate the rates. 2 The company has filed with the eommission no showing of the value of its property in North Carolina and no showing of its income from operation f the North Carolina properties on which the commission can intellegently pass on the rate question. 3 Fixing rates by the North Carolina i oinmission would result in the discrim ination agains Ncrth Carolina con sumers as compared with South Caro lina consurr-ors. 4 Fixing the rate would abrogate the contracts held by a large number of consumer?. V. S. O B. Robinson opened the ar gument for the plaintiff or the power eomrmny. -md devoted the first hour of his discussion to the mottn of the pro ; --.rants. Some of the protestants sug .;st-1 :h;iL tho company did not want io he repulated.' and that the motion (f Mr. Parker would result in taking them fr-ora the regulatory powers of the commission. He was challenged to accept the motion. Mr. Robinson, however declared that the protestants knew the company could not accept the motion, for they were regulated no mat f r what their wishes about the matter were. The Supreme Court of North Carolina had placed them under the regulation of the Corporation Commis sioni Aubrey L. Brooks had won hit; ass before the Supreme Court, when the trial of the cause of the North Carolina Public Service Corporation icainst the Southern-Power Company was up. by calling to the attention of the Supreme Court the suggestion of the power company that it was not subject to regulation by the Corpora tion Commission. All Mr. Brooks has to do to get a verdict is to shape a ropy of this suggestion before the Su preme Court. The Greensboro attor ney did not sign the petition for dis missal on the ground that tne Corpora tion Commission did not hav? jurisdic tion, for it was on this very ground that he is arguing before the Supreme Court this week. The Power company attorneys have contended before the Supreme Court that the nature of the Greensboro case is that they are subject to the regula tions of the Interstate Commerce Com mission, and hence the case pending thtre should come before the Federal courts. Before the company was with in the jurisdiction of the Corporation Commission for rate-making powers. Xo man courts regulation. All men are inclined to think the laws are made for the other fellow and not for him self, but the Supreme Court of North Carolina has already held that the Southern Power Company is cubjsct to the rare-making powers of the Corpora tion Commission and will have to abide hy that decision. The attorney showed by a number of cases decided in other states and in the Supreme Court of the United States that public utilities which develop power in one state and sell it in an other are not subject to the regulations of Interstate Commerce Commission hut rather to the ratemaking authority of the State Commissions. There is nc twilight zone within which public utilities separate. One of the cases cit e'l was that of the Pennsylvania Gas Company, which piped gas , from its .'if.nts in Pennsylvania to Jamestown, (Continued on Page Five.) iuicfcr n a hat store lookin' glass DMte Introducing? ir NewSenators 5 NO 5. j ; William Brown Mc'J? ey (Republican) Former Congressman, N.,.' C. S. Senator from Illinois, Suc ceeding Mr. Sherman. Mr. Reader: Meet former Congressman William Brown McKinley of Illinois, who re places former Senator Lawrence Y. Sherman, whose caustio phrases will be sadly missed in the senate forum. Senator McKinley is a short, stubby man, who is credited with plenty of good, hard sense. He is a hard-headed . business man, a bajiker, farmer and traction mag nate to boot. He is rated by his friends a "good fellow," and is re puted to have made his "pile." He was born about 64 years ago. Senator McKinley is familiar with the congressional game. He nas done his "bit" in the house. cle served seven terms from the nine teenth Illinois district, though not consecutively, missing .out in -ha sixty-third congress. The new senator from Illinois was born in the state he repre sents and was educated in its pub- LONDON PAPERS i STUDY ADDRESS Harding's Phrases "Excel lent Enough" But What of Concrete Substitute. London, April 13. President Hard ing's message to Congress was receiv ed too late for editorial comment in this morning's newspapers, although summaries of the message appeared in their columns, crowded otherwise with news of the critical industrial situa tion. The editorial writers of the af ternoon journals, however, .had oppor tunity to study the message and they devote considerable attention to those passages dealing with the League of Nations and America's! foreign rela tions in general. The Westminister Gazette pays espe cial attention to the declaration in the message of America's intention to have no part in the existing League of Na tions. "We have no reproaches to offer for that- abstention," it says, "but America canont have matters both ways. She cannot abstain and then complain that the victors have made of the league something other than America would have had it. The 'compacts of amity, the 'association to promote peace,', are excellent enough evidences of America's good will, but they form no adequate substitute for the league as it might have been had America willed it so." The Pall Mall Gazette says President i Harding's conception of the future seems to be expressed in his reference to "nations associated for world help fulness without world government," and it adds: "We trust he will preserve in the ef fort to show how this conception can be realized without disturbing the use ful work upon which the League of Na tions is already engaged." MOST FAVORABLE IMPRESSION. Paris, April 13. President Harding's message to congress created a most favorable impression in Paris, in official as well as other circles. Particularly favorable was the reception of the passage in the message interpreted here as regards the ratification of the treatv of Versailles detached from the covenant of the League of Nations and with reservations. hardFng to take up case of kilpatrick Washington, April 13. President Harding promised a delegation from Alabama which called on him today to personally take up with Secretary Hughes the case of Captain Emmett Kilpatrick, f Uniontown, Ala., who is held prisoner by the Russian bolshevik. The delegation, which was headed by Representatives Steagall and Tyson, asked the President to intercede in behalf of Captain Emmett Kilpatrick to obtain his release. He was captured by the bolsheviki last October, while serving as a captain of the American Red Cross in South Russia with Wran gel's army, .and has been sentenced to twenty years hard labor by the Soviets on the charge of having taken up arms against the bolsheviki and of acting as secret agent of the American govern ment. Captain Kilpatrick is one of a .num ber of Americans held in prison by the bolsheviki and thus far all efforts to obtain his release have been unavail ing. COMMISSION URGED TO STtfDY NEGROES Washington, April 13. Creation of neirm industrial commission to a cturtv th nroblems affecting the ne gro race, as suggested by President Harding in his message yesterday, was proposed in a bill introduced to day by Representative Layton, republi can, Delaware. The commission would consist of five white and three negro members, to be named by the president for a term of four years, with $200,000 appropriated- for first-year expenses. It would be required to make a comprehensive survey of economic conditions and negro labor; suggest means of stimu lating thrift, . stamp out bolshevism and find out how to best promote the welfare of the race -it. -y ,- . g qui i. i ft lie schools. He spent two years at the Illinois University. Senator McKinley is a -. man who hasn't got much to say, . but when he has it's invariably something worth listening to. RESOLVE ENDING WAR INTRODUCED Knox Peace Resolution is Referred to Committee Without Discussion. Washington, April 13. Senator Knox, of Pennsylvania, introduced today his resolution to end the state of war with Germany. The measure is similar to that which the last Congress passed and President Wilson vetoed. The resolution, which also would end the state of war with the Austrian government, was referred to the foreign' relations committee without discussion. It would pro- . vide that American rights under the treaty of Versailles should be reserved. The resolution' follows: "Resolved: That the joint resolution of Congress passed April 6, 1917, de claring a state of war to exist between the imperial -5ermanU.government-&ni the government and people of, tfcfti United States, and making provisions to prosecute .the.' same, be, and the same is hereby repealed, and said state of war is hereby declared at an end. "Provided,' however, that all. prop erty of the imperial German . govern ment or its successor or successors, and of all German nationals whicn was, on April 6, 1917, in or has since that date ccme into the possession cr under the control of the government of the United States or of any of Ks officers, agents or employes from any source or . by any agency whatsoever, shall be retained by the United States and no disposition thereof iade, - ex cept as shall have been heretofore, or specifically hereafter be provided by Congress, until such time as the! Gar man government has, by treaty with the United States, ratification where of is to be made by and with the 'id vice and consent of. the senate, made suitable provisions for the satisfaction of all claims against the German gov ernment of all persons wheresoever domiciled, who owe permanent alle giance to the United States, and who have suffered, through the acts of the German government or its agents since July 31, 1914, loss, damage or in jury to their persons or property, di rectly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of shares of stock "in German, American "or other corpora tions, or in consequence of hostilities or of any operations of war or other wise, and also provisions granting to persons owing permanent allegiance to the United States, most favored nation treatment, whether the same be na tional or otherwise, ..in all matters af fecting residences -business, profession, trade, navigation, commerce arid in dustrial property . rights, and confirm ing to the United States all fines, for feitures, penalties and seizures im posed or made by. the United States during the war, whether in respect to the property of the German govern ment or German nationals, and waiv ing any and all pecuniary claims based on events which occurred at any time before the coming into force of such treaty, any existing treaty between the United States and Germany to the con trary notwithstanding. "Section two. That until by treaty or act or joint resolution of Congress it " shall be determined otherwise, the United States, although it has not rat ified the treaty of Versailles, reserves all of the rights,; powers; claims, priv ileges, indemnities, reparations or ad vantages to which it and its nationals have become entitled, including the right to enforce the same under the terms of the armistice signed Novem ber 11, 1918, or any extension or mod ifications thereof or which, under the treaty of Versailles have been stipula ted for its benefit or to which it is entitled as one of the principal Allied and associated powers. "Section three.. That the ' joint res olution of Congress ; approved Decem ber 7, 1917, declaring that a state of war exists between the imperial anl royal Austro-Hungarian government and the government and the people of the United States and making provi sions to prosecute the same, be, ' and the same is hereby repealed, and said state of war is hereby declared at-an end." . ONLY ONE RESIGNED. Budapest, April 13. (By the Asso ciated Press) Gustave Gratz, minis ter of foreign' affairs, is the only mem ber of the ; Hungarian cabinet to r niim ai a result 'of '.the -visit of former Emperor Charles to Hungary, f Qmt Work Friday "DEALERS' DAY" BRINGS. SCORES TO AUTO SHOW More Than 800 from Two Carolinas Take Part in Program. TODAY'S PROGRAM. Afternoon. PYyor and his band. Soloslst: ; Margaret Travers, so prano;. John Wummer, flute; Carl Schumann,. French-horn. Part I. 1. Overture "William Tell," Rossini. V 2. (a) "March of the Toys," Her bert. ' " " -; V (b) "Don't Take Away Those Blues," McKierrien. 3. Excerpts "Bohemian Girl," Balfe.' . 4. (a) "The Dying Poet," Gott sch&lk - Xb") "Dardanella" by request), . Black. 5. Duo for flute and horn Messrs wummer and Schumann. 6. Finale to "Egyption Ballett," Luigini. PART II. 7. " Scenes from "The Magic Mel ody," Romberg. 8. (a) "The Love Nest," Hirsch. ' (b) "A Scotch. Patrol," Sharpe. 9. Soprano solo "Because,". D' Hardelot Margaret Travers. 10. 'The Daughters of America," Lampe. Miss Carmela Ponselle 1. Aria from 'La. Favorita," Donizetti. 2. (a) Lord is . Risen, Rachmaninoff; b) Fanchonette, .C. B. Clark; (c) To a Messenger. LaForge. Fred- erick Brisotl at the piano. . Evening. Pry or and his. band. Soloists: Margaret . Travers, so prano; Leon Handzlik, Cornet; Har old Stambaugh, cornet; Joseph Sas 'sano, xylophone. . . ' - Part I. 1. Overture "Festival," Bach, 2. . "'Reminiscenes of Chopin." 3. Xylophone solo "Valse Ca price," Sassano Joseph Sassano. 4. Scenes from "The Velvet 'Lady," Herbert. 5. (a) "La Paloma," Yradier. (b) "The Body and the Birds," Ilager. 6. Descriptive "A Hunting Scene," Buccalossi. ' 1 Part II. 7- Selection "Floradora," Stu art Messrs,. Handzlik and Stam baugh. - ' '-;.. . Duo for concerts ''Short and ;;.Sweet? Short.;;, jt,,- .-w 91 " Excerpts "Fedora," " Giorda- ' nO. I " " ' .10. Soprano solo "A Heart That's Free," ' Robyn Margaret Travers. i ; ': ' . 11. "The Triumph of Old Glory," ' Pryor. Miss Carmela Ponselle, mezzo soprano: V 1. Aria from "La Favor ita," Donizetti. 2. (a) Lord Is Risen, Rachmaninoff; (b) Fanchon ette,; C. B. Clark; (c) To a Messen ger, LaForge. Frederick Bristol at .the piano. . . "Dealers Day" at the Carolinas auto mobile show Wednesday has brought to Charlotte more than 800 dealers of the two states. - ; Automobile men began arriving in the city Tuesday afternoon and Wed nesday morning trains brought them in by the score. The day has been featured by 1 numerous conferences among dealers and distributors during which business conditions of the Caro linas were discussed as well as prob lems facing the industry in the two states. ' Wednesday and Thursday will be the two big days of the automobile show. The increased' attendance Tues day night over the opening night was taken as an indication thatthe crowd Wednesday ; will be enormous, followed by another record-breaking assemblage "Society Night." . Miss Carmella Ponselle, one of the musical stars engaged for the show, will give her first concert of the week during the Wednesday afternoon show. She will also - sing Wednesday night and Thursday -afternoon "and night. Mis.s Marion Harris, who delighted the crowds of Monday and Tuesday, has concluded her engagement. John N. Wyllis, president of the Wyllis-Knight Automobile company and one of the biggest manufacturers in the country," will 1 arrive in Char It tte Thursday morning from New York . to attend the Carolinas show. E. N. Culver, assistant sales manager of the Overland Automobile company, and W. L. Colt, division manager, will also come Thursday. ' R. A.- Stranagan, president, of the Champion Spark Plug company, who was expected to reach the. city Wed nesday for the show, will be unable to come until Saturday. Mr. Stranahan and wife are at Pinehurst. Mrs. Stran ahan fell from her horse the first of the week and broke her nose, and this has. necessitated the postponement of the visit to Charlotte until Saturday. Mr. Cook, division ; manage r of the Champion Spark Plug company, is here Wednesday; also H. E. Witherspoon, southern sales manager of the Wain right Engineering company. Most all of the Charlotte distributors with organized agencies will hold con ference .during Wednesday and Thurs- (Continned on Page Thirteen.) Charlotte and , Vicinity: Fair and somewhat warmer tonight; Thursday unsettled ' probably showers. Gentle to moderate southeast winds. . North and South Carolina: Fair to night, somewhat warmer in west por tion; Thursday cloudy, probably show ers in west portion. ,- . President Harding Qualifies As "The Great Compromiser" The Season Is On In Two Major Leagues The season is 6n. Sixteen major league teams, forti fied with recruits to strengthen their weak points, cross bats today in the opening of the 1921 National and American league pennant fights. The eight fortunate cities that drew opening .day dates were: National League Boston Braves vs. Brooklyn. Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York. Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh. Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis. American League New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia. Washington Senators vs. Boston. Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago. St. Louis Browns vs. Cleveland The visiting clubs will open in their own parks withing the week. HICKORY BOY IS HELD FOR HAZING Indicted by Grand Jury for; Outbreak at State College Some Weeks Ago. Raleigh, April 13. R. H. McComb, of Hickory, a junior at the North Caro lina State College of Agriculture and Engineering here, today was indicted by the Wake county grand jury in con nection with the outbreak of hazing at the college several weeks ago in which a number of students had their hair cut and were otherwise mistreated. A capias will be issued immediately for the McComb arrest. Judge Conner indicated that the case would go over until the May term of court. The true bill against McComba charges him with wilfully annoying, threatening arid heaping indignities upon W. R. Lof tin, freshman at the college, against the peace and dignity of the state in alleged violation of spe cial a?t against hazing. ' ' ' -Besides Lof tin, whom .McCoEabis Ml legedrto have hazed, th witnesses be fore the grand jurywere Ivan Holle man, R. C. Stephens aud W. T. Price. Raleigh, April 13. Judge Connor, in Wake county superior court, today asked the grand jury to make a vigor ous investigation into the hazing epi sode at the North Carolina State Col lege of Agriculture and Engineering here several weeks ago in which a number of students had their hair cut and were otherwise mistreated. Dur ing the hazing,, a number of shots were exchanged .between : the hazers and their victims and the door to the room of at least one student was broken down.' The grand jury will call a number of witnesses before it and,, if probable cause is found against the students in volved, they probably will be indicted arid tried at this term of court. Haz ing is a statutory offense in--North Carolina, the penalty for which is left to the discretion of the court. HARDING APPROVES ARMY PROMOTIONS Washington, April 13. President Harding approved today the list of twelve new major generals and 26 new brigadiers as prepared by Secretary Weeks and it will be presented to Congress soon. Clarence R. Edwards, who command ed the 26th (New England) national guard in France, heads the list of ma jor generals. His name did not appear in v.o Hat wViirh was sent to Congress by President Wilson and confirmation J of which was held up. Besides General Edwards, the brig adiers promoted to be major generals are: , . James W. McAndrew, John L. Hines, Henry T. Allen, David C. Shanks, Adel bert Cronkhite, George W. Read, Wil liam M. Wright, Charles H. Muir, Charles. T. Menoher, William Haan and George Bell, Jr. The name of Brigadier General Omar Bundy was dropped by Secretary Weeks from the list of major generals as. prepared by Secretary Baker and submitted to the last Congress. Colonels recommended to promotion to brigadiers were: " . Colonels Grote Hutcheson, Jesse Mcl, Carter, W. H. Gordon, George B. Dun can, William Weigel, Ernest Hinds, Ulysses G. McAlexander, Mark L. Hersey, E. A. Helmick, Robert L. Howse, William A. Lassiter, William R. Smith, Fred W. Sladen, Harry H. Bandholtz, Hanson E. Ely, Dwight E. Aultmn, Johnson Hagood, Dennis E. Nolan, . William D. Connor, Fox Con ner, Preston Brown, Malin Craig,. Hen ry D. Todd, Jr., A. J. Bowley, William H. Johnston and Robert Alexander. BIG GERMAN BIPLANE CIRCLED OVER DOORN Doom, April 13. (By the Associated Press.) A huge German biplane, with black planes and long black streamers, circled very low today over Doorn castle, where the tV' of the former German empress, . Augusta Victoria, now lies awaiting the funeral cere monies to be held in the castle Sun day. , The biplane dropped several wreatns fn thft.nark surrounding the castle. The visit of the . German aircraft f was in disregard of police regulations forbidding atl aviation activities, ex- cept those of the Dutcn military serv ice. , ' By DAVID LAWRENCE, Staff Correspondent of The News. Copyright 1981, by News Fublislii-.iy Co. Washington, April 13. Warren Harding may be known in history as "the great compromiser." Judg ing by the expressions of pleasure which came from 'practically every faction in Congress after hearing the President's address, there can be no doubt that Mr. Harding has embarked on a middle-of-the-road course best calculated to cool the partisain passions of the last two years. The "bitter-enders" and "irrecon cilables" are happy. The true friends of international co-operation and a League of Nations are pleased beyond measure the message is more than they expected. Even the democrats are quietly saying "I told you so" in referring to the ac ceptance by Mr. Harding of the Versailles, treaty as a basis for fu ture foreign policy. And the dip lomatic representatives of foreign nations wht only yesterday were de spairing of America, wondering if the uncredible rumors about a re-. turn to national isolation could be true,' are gratified that while the method and phrases may differ, while the formula may not be so all-comprehensive, the spirit of al truism still breathes in America. The allies who fought the war with us are not to be deserted peace is to be made in harmony with their wishes rather than those of Ger man'. Mr. Harding himself surveys the situation with the naive confidence that he has but expressed more defi nitely, the pledges of his campaign. It is this leage of nations the existing one which must be rejected, but he utters no word of disapproval against plans to use the existing league as a basis for changes that would suit America. He doesn't close the door on that. But of .course changes would make it a different league perhaps the Harding league instead of the Wil son league. . The true friends of an as sociation of nations do not care much about names or titles. The passion for international cooperation' knows no pride of authorship. ' , There is, moreover, a hope in the camp of the . pro league republicans that Mr. Hardings league may be even a better league. Hindsight ia better than foresight and the inter weaving of jthe league with the enfortfe-. ment of the Versailles treaty, which was conceived by Mr. Wilson as a vir tue, is how looked upon by many true friends of the league, such as Herbert Hoover, as a retarding influence -an obstacle to the better development of international amttyr; K Mr. i-Hoovlr'TiaS contended thorughout that the separa tion of the enforcement clauses of the treaty from those which have for their object international counsel and con ference would be a step lorward in the history of world cooperation- Mr. Hard ing has taken up the idea and it is re ceiving an enthusiastic response. Of course. the "bitter-enders" regard as just so much twaddle the notion that there will ever be any kind of a league of nations with American mem bership. They say they are delighted with the message because Mr. Harding sticks a knife in the Versailles treaty and carves out the league. They insist that once the league is torn from the Versailles treaty it will collapse and while there will be much talk, there will be no action. Such forecast of the future may prove true eventually, but it finds no sympathy in the executive end of the avenue .where . the influences for a closer working agreement with the na tions of the world are multiplying daily instead of diminishing. Secre tary. Charles Evans Hughes, of the de partment of state, is pointing his policy entirely toward . American membership in some association of nations. As for foreign governments, those here who are in a position to say what Europe's attitude will be, insist that Mr. Harding has opened the way to a compromise. They are pleased beyond expression. They say that for Europe it is essential that the existing league of ' nations ' shall be used as a machin ery for any new association. To be sure, they do not even think it would be difficult to substitute- international commissions; appointed by the signa tories to certain articles of the Ver sailles treaty, for the commissions which-the league was to appoint. The task of separating the - league from the enforcement of the Versailles treatv can be accomplished by amend ments accepted by all the signatories Article ten would either be defined or limited in its application. And the reparation problem would be handled by an international commission, rather than by an agency of the league of nations. The big news of the message is that Mr. Harding is - basing his objections to the Versailles treaty largely on the covenant and that, with a few omis sions - such as perhaps the Shantung section and the labor clauses, Mr. Harding would accept the Versailles treaty and submit it to the senate. Incidentally, the public may . wonder why so many newspaper stories .were sent broadcast recently giving the au thoritative word that President Hard ing has described the Versailles treaty as unworkable. The truth is the words used in conversation at the White House were the "Versailles ' covenant" and many of the reporters attached no significance at the time to that word imagining, of course, that the entire treaty was regarded by the executive as unworkable. It appears from a reading of Mr. Harding's address, that he meant to reject the covenant and not the treaty. Slowly the govern ment's foreign policy is being unfolded and thus far it is significant that the departure from the policy of reserva tions to the existing league, which was favored by more than two thirds of the senate, has not been by any means ex tensive. ASK COMPETE LIBERATION. Washington, April 13. Complete lib eration of the Dominican Republic from the military and political influence of the United States vas asked of Presi dent Harding in a petition presented Tuesday at White House by President Henrique Y. Carvajal. NEARLY4 MILLION PERSONS WILL BE IDLE AS RESULT Decision Follows Inability oi Miners to Reach Agree ment With Mine Owners London, April 13. (By the Asso- 0 ciatod Press.) The miners, accord- I ing to The -Evening Standard today, have decided there can be no re newal of the negotiations for a j strike settlement, even if fh V tations emanate from the govern-f M ment or the labor leaders. t London, April 13. (By the Asso- ! V morail IKuu.. I i . . . .... - . aiu m i cas.i virtual uriiain s tri ple alliance" of labor will call its members from their posts at 10 o ciocK x nday night, it was an nounce here at 11 o'clock this mor. ning. This decision follows the" inability of the National Miners j Federation to reach an agreement', with the mine owners and the gov ernment for the settlement of the miners' strike, which began April ' The "triple alliance" is made up of the National Miners' Federation, . having a membership of 800,000; the National Union of Kailwaymen, with 300.000 members, and the Na tional Federation of Transport Workers, which numbers as it mem bers large number of unions which have a membership of close to 300, 000. It has been estimated that, if the "alliance" should call a strike, there would be nearly 4,000,000 persons idle in England as a result. The decision of strike was reached unanimously by the transport workers and railwaymen, J. H. Thomas, gen eral secretary of the railwaymen'3 union, said after this morning's meet ing. "The walkout," he declared, "will take place at 10 o'clock Friday night. Many other unions have sent applica tions to join the strike, and there are being considered." Other labor organizations may'; be come involved in the controversy be tween the government and the "triple alliance." The Daily Mail declared to day that the executive committee of the Electrical Trades Union resolved last night to support the "triple alli ance." An electricians' strike would paralyze street car traffic and public light companies. All London newspapers today dwelt' on the serious injury done the country by continued uncertainty over the in- dustrial situation. The London Times and The Morning. Post pointed out it was notthe' actual amount of the wages at' present in dispute, but the question of national control of the profits of industries which was at stake. The Morning Post emphasized the alleged fact that "hidden and subversive forces were behindxthe whole movement" and declared: "The miners' demands must be re sisted at all costs." The government today issued the fol lowing statement bearing upon the la bor situation: "In the event of the threatened ex tension of the stoppage of work, the government wishes to make it clear that they will use the fullest powers of the state to protect the workers who remain at work in any services essen tial to the life of the community. "In any settlement which may be reached, the government will give their support in assuring that the position of such workers shall not be prejudiced as compared with their position before the stoppage." - . One of the many uncertainties of the situation is nheiher the three cornered negotiations, to which the Owners, the miners anl the government had been party, had been really -brought to an end. The postponement of the triple alliance sympathetic strike yesterday created an acute situation within . the labor cainp. It is understood ' that the miners, with some show of feeling over this seeming indication of weakness, made a preemptory demand upon their partners - in the alliance this morning that they "lay their cards on the table" and declare finally whether they intend to strike, and if so when. ' The miners, it is learned, threw in the faces of the triple alliance leaders an argument contained in the mani festo issued by those very leaders last week, charging the government and owners with conspiracy to break up the trade unionist movement. The miners pointed - out that the deser tion of tne railwaymen and the trans port workers at this juncture would bring approximately this result, for the triple alliance was ' generally con sidered the most . powerful Industrial weapon of the trade unionists. "If the triple alliance is beaten, the whole 'movement is beaten," was one of the contentions voiced, it is said. Under the pressure of these claims, the new strike decision was made. While the discussions were going on among the several parties to the con troversy, reports were coming in of sporadic outbreaks in mining and in dustrial centers. None of these, how ever, had any serious aspect. HOPE FOR SETTLEMENT. London, April li. (By the Associa ted Press) Speaking of the triple al liance strike announcement, Mr. Lloyd-George, the prime minister, stated in the House of Commons to day that the situation thus created was of "great and increasing gravity" buthe still hoped that wiser counsels might prevail. Meanwhile, added the premier, the government was taking all , possible steps to meet the emergency. Mr. Lloyd-George said the govern-; ment deeply deplored the decision of : the triple alliance. He emphatically doubted, he continued, whether a dis cussion of the question in the house today would advance the object all ha I in mind.; This last statement was greetedrwith cheers and both John R. Clynes, - chair man of the parliamentary labor party, and former Premier Asquith concurred in the opinion that' debate - would be unwise. .'-'.'' Follow The Auto Show-April to 16thi 4 11th The Arrdw To
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April 13, 1921, edition 1
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