MINERS AND T.U.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1927, Page 9

MINERS AND T.U.C.

WHICH THE ACCUSERS?

BIG LABOUR GATHERING

(United Presa Association.—Copyright.) (Eeceived 21st January, noon.)

LONDON, 20th January.

The General Strike inquest opened in the Central Hall, Westminster, to consider the T.U.C. and miners' separate reports in the presence of two hundred delegates, representing four million unionists. Mr. Hicks (president of the Trades Union Congress) was chairman. Messrs. J. R. Macdonald and J. H. Thomas were present. So also were several deposed strike-time members of the miners' executive to defend their policy, though Mr. Cook earlier had said: "We are going to fight the greatest struggle of our lives. We are not in the dock; we are the accusers, and Extremists were boasting that they hoped to censure the T.U.C. and uphold the miners. ■

A leading member of the T.TJ.C. executive prophesied that the'inquest •would. be thorough, with nothing concealed. "When all is over to-night," he said I think we shall have given the strike a decent burial. We will concentrate on the future and bury our differences and the hatchet."

A vote of confidence in the General Council of the T.U.C. and a censure of the Miners' Federation was the issue privately debated. There was a lively interlude after Mr. A. Pngh read the report. Many wanted to know why the council called out the engineers and shipbuilders, knowing that the General Strike had been cancelled by other unions. They asked why they were not included in the General Sti-ike order. _ Mr. J. A. Thomas had a. mixed reeepturn. He criticised the miners' leaders for attacking members of the council when the latter were bound to secrecy and unable to reply. He concluded in making a vigorous appeal for support of the council.

Mr. A. J. Cook (miners' secretary) replying to Mr. Thomas, spoke almost an hour, but not arousing enthusiasm. He was once subjected to. considerable interruption. /

Mr. Citrine followed and relied on many facts and details to controvert Mr; Cook's speech. He greatly impressed delegates, winning a round of applause. '

Mr. Ernest Bevin (Transport Union leader) also replied to the miners. He moved that the' General Council's report and the miners' statements should be referred to tho unions for a rank-and-file vote.

The conference adjourned.