COALPORTERS' STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 17560, 26 January 1914, Page 5

COALPORTERS' STRIKE

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK. i I (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) I LONDON, January 23. The coal strike is threatening to extend to the general carters owing to constructors seeking to compel the carters to load waggons. The police are escorting vans in Kentish towns and other districts. Smaller retailers are selling coal at from oOs to 60s per ton. There is much distress owing to there being thirteen degrees of frost last night. The Coal Porters Union’s officials have withdrawn permits from the hospitals. MEN’S DEMANDS CONCEDED. LONDON, January 23. The coal porters refused to grant hospital permits, on the ground that they had not sought the' dispute. They recommended that hospitals and similar institutions should collectively approach the merchants. Some of the hospitals already feel the shortage of supplies, and others will have their supplies exhausted in a week. The guards at Waterloo barracks carted their own coal with escort** of students. The Middlesex Hospital loaded its own waggons. It is probable that many County Council schools will close, if the frost continues. The Cornwall Company, employing five hundred coal porters, lias resumed operations. The Merchants Society lias agreed to pay the extra penny. Sir Edward Cornwall, the principal of the Society, explains that the object is to prevent suffering, and not because the men are underpaid.