3 MAY 1926
A general strike in vital services, fixed to begin to-night, has been declared by the Executives of the Unions affiliated to the Trade Union Congress. Efforts to prevent this grave development of the industrial trouble taking place broke down this morning. A Royal Proclamation declares “a state of emergency,” and the Government are taking all necessary precautions for the public safety. One of the first measures is the rationing of fuel.
“Keep steady; remember that peace on earth comes to men of goodwill,” was the message broadcast by the Prime Minister to the country.
Sir Felix Pole, general manager of the Great Western Railway Company, appeals to all employees to hesitate before breaking contracts of service with the Company. The railway companies and the men have shown that they can settle their disputes by direct negotiations. He adds that the mining industry should be advised to do the same.
Inquiries made in the Scottish mining districts made it evident that the miners are determined to hold out, and that financially the strikers’ prospects are gloomy. In most districts the miners’ Unions’ funds are insufficient to make a long stoppage possible without considerable hardship, but this does not appear to worry the men.