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POST OFFICE LETTING.
POST OFFICE LETTING. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. DISCUSSION AT THE COUNCIL. Swansea Town Council met on Wednes- day, the Mayor (Alderman Lee) presiding. The first business was the Old Post Office letting. Th Town Cierk submitted a, report of the correspondence arising out of the letting of the Old Port Office building, together with aii minutes, records, and incidents relative to the same. 'Hit. oarrespondeiice ranged from 1901 into 1902, when it deals with in- quiries trom Mr. W. J. Rees, the Town Clerk, and the Surveyor. In reply to a letter from Mr. Rees, dated October 6, 1902. asking for terms of letting, etc., the Sur- vevor wrote :—- EFFECT OF THE DOCUMENTS. The Property Committee desire offers far the above, on a. short lease of, say, 7, 14, or 21 years, or a long lease of, say, 99 years. In the casi of a short lease an amount would have to bo agreed to be expended by the 'ecc.ee on the premises for alterations, etc., which, no doubt, would be required, and for a long lease, when the whole of the buildings misiit be taken down, an amount would have to be agreed to be expended by the lessee on new buildings, at least equal lL1 value to the present buildings. The Cor- poration piy 10 the Duke of Beaufort an ac- knowledgment of Is. per annum for the ground at the north end of the buildings upon which the steps leading to the vaults below are constructed, ¡nd the Duke of Beaufort has a right-of-way, as shown on the plan, leading to the old Castle. I am having a number of tracings prepared, show- ing the property and its surroundings, to send to applicants, and one shall be sent to you.' Simitar letters, it is stated, vytre sent Messrs. S. Andrews and Co., Cardiff, and J. M. Leeder and Son, Swansea. No corres- pondence took place officially with the Metropolitan Bank, who, as has been so frequently and pointedly declared, were de- sirous of arriving at the exact terms of the letting, but with Ylr. W. J. Rees who acted for the bank authorities. The property was eventually leased to Sir Geo. Newnes, and the following letters of December last-a rnont'i ago—are the only official letters refer- ring to the property, and these were written after the Council had decided to havp all the officiai letters before them. Town Clerk to Mr. H. Thomas, London (formerly Corporation pjstate Agent) :—"I have been directed by the Town (Council to submit a statement of all reports, minutes. and incidents relative to the letting of the Old Post Office premises from the time the Postmaster-General gave up possession to the letting to the present lessee, Sir George Newnes, and I boj to enquire, apart from any reports in writing on the subject you may have made, will you kindly state what offers were ever made to you verbally or in writing, for t-he premises?" Mr. Howell Tho-n as (to the Town Clerk), January 4th- It is, of coy v\ difficult to call to mind everything that happened, ut I expect you may take it that my reports (which, however, of course, I have not be fore me) set out all the material points which arose as to a letting of iris property during the period I was Corporation Estate Agent at Swansea. I do remember ap- proaching Mr. Eddorshaw upon the subject, but I do not think he sufficiently entertained the idea to discuss anvthing like details as to figures. In fact, apart from th, temporary ar- rangements made during the King's visit, I do not recollect any offer being made, either verbally or otherwise, during my period of office until the negotiations were opened with Sir George Newnes, and to which I remember reporting over the tele- phone during a meeting of th-3 Sub-Property Committee when I was in London, and after having just interviewed Sir George Newnes thereon. I shall. be happy to p.fford any further information v. Inch* may be required. If your report to the Council is not a confidential on<- I should be very interested to EOO a copy." The r-iinrit^s of Property Committee, cl3J.j, to the Sir George Newnes letter, is .00 February 6, 1905, and is as fcri- ..s :— "Resolved that a of the Old Post Office premises be granted to Sir George Newnes for a period of 21 years from the 25th M*ivh last, at a rental of £350 for the nrsf fourteen years and £400 for the remainuer of tho term, the lessee to have the option to determine the lease at the expiration of seven or fourteen years; the rent to ,commence as from ihe 29th Sep- tem!>-r j'.e^t." The- v"* of Mr W. J. Rees al) asked for the of letting which, however, were not i-: .v • The property was originally ad- t September, 1902, and applicant were r< ,-rcd to the Surveyor for informa- tion. NO :7r;.TL\VIENT FROM MR. TUTTON. Mr. H'1fkin thought Mr. Tutton should make aI, ..tplanation. He did not know be was charged with any offence. (Laughter.) But certain remarks had been made inci- dental to the property. (A voice: Woe*?") Continuing, Mr. Hopkin though-, r. statem-ent should emanate from Mr. Tuii-.i. Mayor: If Mr. Tutton does not desire to raake a. statement you should not encourage him to do so. Jth. Hopkin I don't. The Mayor called upon Mr. Tutton to mov^ the minutes of the Property Com- mittee. MT. flopkin: '• oh, no." (Laughter.) I am n allow it to go through in ttot fzncer. Proceeding, Mr. Hopkin said t present at the committee when .Mtf-T was raided, therefore everything ;Jta.1 to the letting was perfectly new ;i1. He had read caret ully through the -.vondenoe, and in the whole of the re- to Mr. W. J. Rees' application property they had been of an evasive Mr Rees had frequently asked for >ria on which the property' could be j • .dt vMr. Rees had never been able to (.01, "-inns. In one of the letters which a sent to him he thought it was tr-1.t Mr. Tutton was authorised to i Mr. Giynn Price and to endea.vour fcjotiate with hun for a lease of the j- rs interest for the Pogt Office. Noth- i ad transput" in the whole of the ne- gate ions to encourage Mr. Rees to take the property or give terms and the speaker thwybt it was due to the c c.,1 to ask Mr Tutton or the Mayor vrhv it was Mr. Rees was refused and never could obtain for the taking of thA E-roperty. The only t mg they found was when the negotiations wi h the Thike were at an end, through the intervention of the Local Government Boajd, who refused to alhw the Corporation to the pro- perty, they found Mr. Tutton enecting a letting to Sir George Newnes. It was fair to Mr. and his client-—AND the speaker did not think Mr. Rees would waste his time to write a.bout property unless he meant business—and the pubnc to know whY Hees w-is refused the terms for which he asked. The speaker (Mr. Hop- kin) was not making „ charge against any- one <-ny • It was dear Mr. Rees never obtained ten-ms for ^he property in question. Mfr. Buthen referred to details in the cor- respondence, and said that in the of tia he. thought lr. Kees had before him, .ro^rliK speaking, for severai years, at least before the final let ting- Mayor: Five years. MT. U nth en •• The terms upon which the property could be obtained. h, Dd. Davies: What was the rent? lT. R-uthen replied that the rent was not asked only offers, and he took it that ihe whole matter was well advertised, and it was no good anybody in Swansea saying that they did not know that the property was to let. He did not wish to refer to the '"airman, for when a matter was con- is-dared by the Sub-Committee and by the Council, it was not ri t to charge nY member He nlC" this Council finds in the docu- men\.<; pi that the old Post Office bviidi/^s were advertised to let, both by 'Oewspaperj and notice boards, and offers >s?r s*aie and that, or any other sum was received until the final ietting was effected." Mr. Livingston asked whether they were fighting the election over again and sug- gested tha-t they would be wasting a lot of time by doing s*. Mr. Ben Jones seconded. The Mayor was about to put the motion when MR. DAVID DAVIESt OBSERTATIOS. Mr. Dd. Davies rose and said he was expecting the Chairman of the Sub-Com- mittee to make a statement, as he (Mr. Davies) had brought forward the matter, and suggested that something wrong had been said or done, and that the matter should be dealt with in a report. He (Mr. Davies) therefore expected Mr. Tutton to stand up and show how in the slightest I degree the documentary evidence was not a complete justification and vindication of the statements that he (Mr. Davies) made during the election. Proceeding to show how misapprehensions arose over the cor- respondence, Mr. Davies pointed out that it was not till 1904 that ME. Howe] Thomas was appointed, and he (Mr. Davies) was dealing with matters from 1901. In the first piac* he wanted to make it clear that he was not there to answer for anything he had not said, or for implica- tions which, he did not intend to convey. His contention throughout had been that in the Post Office letting one kind of treatment was given to the Metropolitan Bank author- ities, and another kind to Sii George Newnes. There was no personal imputation in that at all and he was not called to justify personal imputations. From first to la.st, and it was his statement to-day, he was suM that if the Metropolitan Bank had been dealt with in the same spirit as Sir George Newnes that property would have been let in 1901 and the Corporation vould have been in receipt of rent and rates for that letting during the three or four years the buildings were vacated. The Mayor I do not see where you say there was no offer made? Mr. David Davies answered that the bank avthorities refused to make an offer-and other people did the same—because they said it was not the way to do business, for as owners of property the Corporation should set a value upon it. But when Mr. Tutton met Sir Geo. Newnes he set the value upon I it and gave £350 as the rent, and why wat; I nx that same value, and the same proce- dure adopted in the case of the Metropoli- tan Bank? He would give the facts: Ihe Metropolitan Bank authorities had informally made overtures for the Post Office build- ings as far back as 189^7, not to the Corpor- ation, but to the Post Office people, who, at ,that time, had the option of extending their lease, but were contemplating a surrender. The Post Office people were asked if they would transfer their interests in the lease and they said No," but that when the time came for them to surrender they would do so to the Corporation. In March, 1901, the Post Office authorities intimated that it was their intention to surrender the pro- perty in September of that year. Mr. W. J Rees, who not an official of the bank, but who had been engaged to act for it, wrote the Town Clerk: You will doubtess remember my speaking to you some 18 months or two years ago as to my desire to negotiate on behalf of a good client for a lease of these premises," An acknowledg- ment followed, and in subsequent corres- pondence it was stated that the matter would be laid before the sub-committee. In June, however, fr. Rees wrote asking if the mat- ter has sufficiently progressed for further negotiations," and the reply said the Sub- Property Committee had deferred the con- sideration of the matter. As soon as any- thing has been decided I will let you know," wrote Mr. Bell, the surveyor. That was in June, 1901, and the next jump was to Jan. 1902. nearly a year after the first let- ter. Mr. Rees t hen wrote saying that he would be glad to know whether the com- mittee were now prepared to discuss terms either for a sale or a lease of the property. If they are not prepared to entertain it," I wrote Mr. Rees, I think I may, without discourtesy, ask you to favour me with a de- finite reply, so that I may turn my atten- tion to other for my clients." Then I the surveyor replied that the matter had been referred to the chairman ajnd himself to go into and report, upon, as certain pro- posals had been made. On the same date Mr. Wheat-lev. the Corporation assistant so- licitor, wrote Mr. Rees that he had seen Councillor Tutton, who desired him to say that the Corporation were prepared to let the premises, and to receive from yon any of- fer which you may desire to make on behalf of your clients." Mr. Tutton Continue that. Mr. Davies: Very well. (Reading): "The offer I need hardly say must, represent sub- stantially the value of the property and if made will be considered by the Property Committee on Wednesday next. Mr. Tutton That's it. Mr. Davies: That is hot important from my standpoint. Then there came a pause, went on Mr. Davies, and nothing happened except a consultation between Mr. Rees and the Sub-Property Committee. The Chair- man pressed Mr. Rees to make an offer, and when Mr. Rees mentioned £250, Mr. Tutton retorted with, Suppose you say £500 to start with." That was the only mention of a figure made by Mr. Tutton during the whole proceedings, so far as the Bank authorities were concerned. Mr. Davies, proceeding, said he had a distinct recollection, being a former member of the Sub-Committee, that the reason why the letters were evasive in character, and why people were not. encouraged to become tenants was because Mr. Tutton said he had an in- finitely better plan for the property. Mr. Tutton convinced the speaker, for one, that he had a better plan, and that Avas to ac- quire from the Duke of Boa ufort all the land behind and make it a big site. And in connection with that Mr. Tutton at the time stated the Council could do much bet- ter by means of that plan tha.n anv other. Later on that plan was adopted by the Sub- Property Committee, and subsequently by the Council, although Mr. Solomon moved an amendment thev should not proceed with it. That amendment (of Mr. Solomon's) was defeated bv 22 votes to 12. On that occasion Mr. Tutton opposed the amend- ment because he said this was one of the moet magnificent sites in Swansea, and so the scheme was adopted by the Council, and embodied in the Bill which the Corporation promoted in 1904. It was submitted to a town's meeting and the scheme was approved But it was subsequently struck out of the Bill. Yet from the moment the scheme was adopted by the town's meeting there was no public intimation of any kind given why it was that the scheme had been abandoned struck out, or that anything had happened to The reason why it was withdrawn oy the Parliamentary Committee of tlie Swansea Council was because they were led « believe the Local Government Board would resist the clause. At the meeW five weeks ap there was no one who couhfi Sow'S !ronie °f know' Mr Ruthhe of Swansea to Know. Mr. Rirthen had said the property had been properly adverti^ t+ l y 1902, but never al J W3S » vertised it had been publicly discussecT tb t the ability to let the premises in its exist ing state had become impossible by the adr>»" tion of the scheme referred to. The op- scheme made the advertisement worthiest and from 1902 that property, Was never ad. vertised. The Mayor said the property had been ad- vertised on a board outside. Mr. D. Davies said that may or may not be correct, but he should like to know who took that board down. His point wa. that. if the board was continually kept up ever since the scheme was adopted the advertise- ment became worthless, because something had happened to prevent a letting in that condition. That was the state of things up to February, 1905; in the meantime the premises were unoccupied and the rental and benefit of the rates had been lost. On Feb- ruary 13th, Mr. Tutton came down and made a statement to the General Purposes Com- mittee, and this was the first public intima- tion thai the property: bad been ia the market since the previous scheme had been adopted. The Mayor asked what year that was. Mr. Davies replied: The year 1905, and neither he nor others knew of the fact. Mr. Tutton said at the meeting re- ferred to that he had met Sir Geo. Newnes and suggested that the property should be let at JS350 for the first seven years, £375 the second, and £4DO for the remainder of the period. Sir George said he would do practicaJly as h. Tutton advised him, though he would like the terminable at seven or 14 years. Mr. Davies's com- plaint was what was done to Sir George Newnes should have been done to the oank authorities in 1901. The bank had been paying heavy rates for years and up to the purchase of the newspaper Sir George was not a ratepayer at Swansea. Why should not an equal opportunity have been given to other in the town to take the property? Why, for example, was not the opportunity given his (the speaker's) own company to compete, if so disposed, for ths property? A high official in the Metropolitan Bank had informed the speaker that the Bank were prepared to pay .£400 in 1901. And that gentleman was willing to. repeat it to tlie Mayor or anyone else sel- ected—the speaker would furnish the name and in confidence the gentleman so ap- pointed could tell Mr. lutton the resu-l- of the conversation. Mr. Tutton: Uh, no. Mr. D. Davies said he did not hlame r- Tutton for suggesting any possible lessee, but why M as not the same treatment give!^ to the .vietropolitan Bank four years before. As regards the extract trom the "Daily Lea.der," which the speaker read from (in which it was stated that "I (Mr. Tutton) meL Sir Qeo. Newnes and suggested that tlie property should be let a<t X>6b0 !°r first seven years," etc), Mr. Tutton ia never challenged the absolute accuracy o that report. If the Estate Agent commenced ( uüe business and carried it through, then the statement was not true. 11 It true, then Mr. Tutton and not the Ls ate Agent broached the subject to Sir reo- Newnes, and submitted to him the •erms. Let the Council look through the corres- pondence, and they would not find a suvgle minute fixing the letuag value. i no speaker did not know actually who lix^- it. It seemed though as if Mr. Tutton had un- bosomed him>elf to Sir Geo. Newnes, and gave him information which the Bank authorities had been trying to g2t .for years. If there was any misunderstanduig as to the source from which Sir George Newnes received the information Mr Tutton was responsible for it himself. Mr. Vivian, at the last meeting, said at the time of the letting Mr. Tutton came down to the Council Chamber with some pride, as if he were entitled to 'kudos"—an in- teresting word, to which objection had been taken—or congratulation. If Mr. Tutton had done that four years before he would have been so entitled. What was there to justify Mr. Tutton in offering Sir Geo. Newnes a fixed rental and withholding the same information from another? In con- clusion, Mr. Davies said he wanted the Sub- Property Committee to be a real committee, made up of independent men, and not an echo of the Chairman. And he wanted in the Estate Agent-if they had not one they must get one—°ne on wliom they could rely as regards the values of property, and that the same should not be altered by any mem- ber of the Committee; Mr. Tutton had been aocustomed to deal with the public estate as if it were his own, inasmuch as he as- sumed the power and authority. Mr. Tutton said Mr. Davies "had no right to make that statement. Mr. D. Davies said it was his opinion. Mr. Tutton: I have allowed this mem- ber to go on with all this stuff, which is absolutely false. When you make a state- ment of this sort it is time I stopped you. Mr. D. Davies: He is. not entitled, to stop me when I express my' own opinion. Mayor: Yes he is. Mr. D. Davies said was his exper- ience, though he wished it to be clear he was not reflecting upon Mr. Tutton's personal character. Mr. Tutton You have done that long enough. Mr. D. Davies said Mr. Tutton had been g authority which was unfair to other members. And here there was an ex- ample; there was no authority in any minute for Mr. Tutton to go a.nd give that information to anyone. Mr. Tutton fixed the t letting value and the speaker complained that equal treatment had not been given to other ratepayers as had been given to Sir George Newnes. Aid. Solomon said in ApriL 1901, a re- solution was adopted by the b-Property Committee and adopted by the Council to confer with Mr. Glynn Price with a view of taking up the lanlat the hack. When the Property Committee were in a position to make any recommendation it was embodied in the Parliamentary Bill. It was only natural that any possible clients then should be put off and told the matter was deferred, and that attitude ap- peared to be th; position adopted by the Town Clerk and Mr..Bell in all the correspondence. Mr. Howell i homas con firmed the statement made at the last meeting of the Council, that it was not Mr. Tutton who made the letting, but himself (Mr. Thomas). Mr. Tutton Qnite so. Aid. Solomon as regards the sub- committee being an echo of the chairman, he would point out that that sub committee now consisted of seven Progressives and five Municipal Reformers, and if the gentle- men appointed on the sub-committee wiuld attend more regularly, would have a food opportunity of ensuring their wishes eing carriod out. Mr. Corker t-aid, so far as he could roo collect, Mr. Tutton said hp had an interview with Sir Gorge Newnes in Swansea, and the suggestion of the £350 rising as stated was suggested by Mr. Ti. tton. The nego- tiations afterwards vvre carried on by Mr. Ho wall Thomas. Mr. Tutton aid he did not think he need trouble to answer anything to the will statements made by Mr. Hopkin. as the latter had admitted he knew nothing about, 't. Bnt as regards hat Mr. Di. Twice-- had said, it was a grave statement to say the !lan,C a"thon'tiep we^e "cine behind our b«:ks to ■our tenants to trv and get a lease through fheni. Mr. Davies had said tho spec kpr had fixed th, valne That was absolutely untrue. It I- s verv significant that whilst the gentle- man in high authority referred to said the Bank were prepared to give £ >00 a year f fhp nronertv that that gentleman houW nofS, i-ructrf Mr W. J. r! ihpv ,vnTe prepared to i-ive that sum. Mr. R«r. to thai iie?t; if that <ha' ss? srs £ wjf^ f? speaker suggested £ 500, so that erne coul.1 start from one end and the other from the other. The suggestion was not, made to fix the rent; it was with a view of bringing the points together. They knew Mr. W. J. Rees well enough to know that he was quite aware of the drift of the matter. Mr. Tutton then recounted how he met Sir George in Castle-street and the conversation that place, the result of which was that he sent for the Estate Agent, and thon hirmelf kept out of the way. The speaker did not fix the rent. Mr. David Davies Did you say you did? Mr. Tutton: Don't you cross-examine me you can make any statement you ake. He'knew statements were made, but he dared say Mr. Davies knew that all tn statements in newspapers were not correct. Mr. Tutton referred to a statement made publicly, which afterwards on the face of it bore :m impress that. would not bear a second thought, and so it was scored out," and the statement was "For 3l years that property was unremunerative, and yet at the beginning of that period the Metro- politan Bank were prepared to pay JB400 a year rent." What was intended by that— that we knew they were prepared to pay. If that fact was locked up n the recesses of the "high officials" mind, Mr. W. T. Rees did not know it or did not state it. The committee would gladly have accepted any arrangement from that quarter as they did from Sir George N-ewnes at any time. Then it had been stated, "Why was pro- perty for which £400 a year could have
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STEEL DUMPING BEGINS.
STEEL DUMPING BEGINS. THOUSANDS OF TOMS ON THE lfATfiE. SWANSEA AGEKTi ALSEADY AD- ViSiiJ. BAD PRûSPItCT FOR WILSH MAKiRS. The threatened dumping of foreign steel ,las begun in earnest, no fewer than' iU,Juj tons of Amei ican bars having been Looked for shipment to Bristol juid Swan- -Iney are being brought over by the Birstol City line of steamers, the Swansea agents of which are Messrs. Richards, Tur- l^11. Co. The latter, waited upon on lust-day, told a "Daily Post" reporter tli.it tnej- hul been advised quantities of bars we; e ori their way, axia are expectod to airive in ten days' time. It is rumoured 100.030 tons of sheet bars are on their way to the Lnit-od Kingdom from America- As regards the 10,000 tons, their destina- tion ultimately will be largely in t-he Swan- sea and Newport districts, and the faot of their despatch will lie bad news for Welsn bar makers, the outlook lie ing a poor one for the cin-rent yea.r. I yerman bars, too, are being shipped to this country on a largo scale, and it was re- I ported on Swansea Metal Exchange on Tuesday afternoon that Midland merchants have already bought Inr, Ielv at C4 12s. 6d. per ton, delivered. This price is'below that winch Welsh makers can dispose of, the minimum current price on Tuesday being £ 4 15s. per ton. And it must be remem- bej'ed the carriage to Birmingham from this district is 8s. 9d. per ton South \Va]es has been supplving the Mid- lands with an average of 5.000 tons fef month. This trade is now practically a.t a standstill, a.nd the significance of the move bv the German dumpers, courtled with the American shopments now on their way, will be readilv seen. The tinplate trade remains slack, and there are more rumours of notices to be given, so that work may go on from day to day. Piew sales are taking place, mer- chants being still reticent, to buy except at their own figures, which makers contend they could not accept, without incurring loss The current quotations for twenties by fourteen (Bessemer cokes) are lls. lOJd. .per box upwards.
U>tfI!..:s......."''£:''_\i---.;...""…
U>tfI!s. "£:i DEATH OF MISS CAROLINE WILLIAMS. SISTER OF MR. MORGAN B. WILLIAMS, KILLAY. HER BENEFACTIONS TO WELSH EDUCATION. We regret to announce the death of Miss Caroline Williams, which took place on January 13th at her residence, 4, Vicarage- gate, London, at the age of 84. The de- ceased lady was largely connected with South Wales. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Williams, of Bridgend, and sister of jrir. Morgan Williams, of Killay House., and of Mr. Arthur Williams, late M.P. for South Glamorgan. 8M wa. the niece of the late Mr. Walter Coffin, formierly M'.P. for Cardiff, and from him inherited the Dinas Colliery and considerable estates in Glamor- gan. LATE MISS CAROLINE WILLIAMS. She took an active interest in all social and political questions, and all through her life was an araent advocate of Liberal opin- ions. She devoted her great ability and a largo portion of her means to the advance- ment of social reforms, specially inter- esting herself iii. women's movements. Miss Williams gave £ 1,000 to the South Wales University for the establishment of a scholarship fir women resident at Aber- dare Hall, of which for many years she was president. This was tne first scholarship for women ever given at a Welsh Univer- sity College. She aiso subscribed hand- somely to the funds of the new College buildings now being erected in Cat hays Park, and only a fortnight ago forwarded to Principal Griffiths a. cheque for £ 50. a portion of a sum of C200. which she had promised to the new School of Mining. The deceased lady was always ready to assist otl,er F objects, and her name figured in the list of subscribers towards the acquifiition of the Lalesbury Library. It was mainly duetto her exertions that the successful company of the Women's Printing in Westminster was established, and it was one of the last and greatest satis- factions of her life to see them settled in the new and spacious premises, which, after small beginnings, they now occupy. Her house in London was the centre of a distinguished literary circle, where such men as the late Professor Farreli. Lord Courtney, Mr. John Morley and others were frequent visitors In spito of her C., gieat age her keen intellect remained un- clouded up to the day of hex death, which war painless and sudden. She will be long and widely mourned both by her own family and the many friends who knew and appro-
[No title]
The death occurred cn Tuesday at Mil- ford of one of the crew of the barquentine Fanny, of Jersey, who was rescued at sea a W9ck ago, and later in the day the aban- doned vessel was towed into Mil ford Haven, curiously enough by the same trawler which rescued the crew.
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
TEACHERS' SALARIES. SWANSEA AUTHORITY REFUSE TO LEVjLL UP. At Wednesday's meeting of the Swansea Corporation, the (Alderman Lee) pre- siding, MI. Tutton, submitting the minutes of the J Education Committee tor aaoption, com- mented on the practical settlement of the controversy wit; regard to the reiiiodeiling ai the Oxford-street- Schools, and claimed credit for having moved,the re:orulK>n that had been the means of bringing that about. All the trouble that had been taken, and possibly the little feeling that had arisen, Lhough that, was from the other side—(laugh- ter)-ha.d been fully justified in the position Lhey now found themselves in. Every mem- ber round the table, he thought, would not grudg- & meed of praise to their architect for the able manner in which he had con- ducted the negotiations up to the present time. (Several voices: "1 do.") Mr. Tut- ton So you mav. It was a most important position to find that by the ability of their architect the managers had accommodation for 860 instead of 850, whilst the playground had also been divided. As to the salaries he read the previous decision that the man- agers be repaid the sum they had expended, and in conclusion claimed tha.t the inclusion of the shop premises had eased the question of a settlement. Mr. David Davies elicited, in effect from Mr. Tutton, that the payment of the tea- chers salaries in the non-provided schools did not include the increase granted by the managers so as to level up the salaries to the scale paid the teachers in the provided schools. All we are liable for we say we will pay," Mr. Tutton put it. Mr. David Davies said he had hoped that Mr. Tutton, who had proposed the final re- solution for re-modelling of the schools would have moved yet another resolution which would entirely close the education contro- versy, and which would be a resolution of justice to the teachers in the r.on-provided scltcols. It could not be made a question of principle for Parliament had made cer- tain grants in rate aid for this specific pur- pose without imposing upon the ratepayers increased burdens, so that if Swanes'* paid the, teacher? in the non-provided schools the same scale of salaries as paid to those in the Council schools they would still have from £3,000 to £4,000 to the good by rea- son cf the Act of 1902. His authority for that statement was Dr. Macnamara, the vice- president of the Board of Education, whilst tiL- Right Hon. Mr. Lloyd-George, at the Cardiff Convention, had said tha.t the rating authorities could pay the teachers equal sal- aries and yet keep within the four corners of their principles not to give rate-aid to tho Voluntary Schools. His (Mr. Davies's) point was that in Swansea they had reached a stage where every contentious point had practically disappeared, except one, and that was that question of the teachers' salaries, and he asked whether it was worth while perpetuating the strife, which would go on continuously, until what was regarded as a groat injustice was set right? There was no question of principle, and the only point that made him wonder was the attitude of the Labour members on a point that touched the Trades Union rate of wages. It would be worth the £200 or £300 which was in- volved by the increase in order to keep peace in Swansea, and that peace was wanted, not only in elementary education, but in secon- dary education, for the development in par- ticular of the Technical College. But that would not be done if they kept that sore open, and so he said it was worth something to the town to set tie the question so far as could be done. The managers could not be expected to go on paying the B200 or £.3(X) increase, and if the local authority did not do so the fight must continue. He hoped that Mr. Martin and Mr. Tutton would not continue the injustice to the class of people (teachers) who had been placed in the fight-, ing line, and he moved that the salaries of the teachers in the Voluntary Schools be levelled up to those paid the teachers in the Council Schools. Mr. Corker seconded, and said unless equal salaries were paid the local authority could not expect the efficiency they would other- wise get. He might say that the managers had already lost a number of good teachers in consequence of the difference in the scale of pay. No doubt the teachers thought they were entitled to the regular Council rate. Mr. Colwill urged that not only elementary but th cost of secondary education had by mistake taken into account in arriving at the rate-aid Swansea should receive, but he admitted that on the basis of Is. 8d. in the J3, the cost of elementary education, the amount accruing to Swansea would be from £ 2,300 to £ 2,500. Then with regard to the attitdde adopted by Labour, he contended I t}-w.(, the front plank in the Labour platform had been that of no taxation without repre- sentation. Therefore they opposed :ate-aid to the Voluntary Schools. I Mr. Tutton and Mr. Solomon said the amendment was out of order as the previous decision of the Council would first have to be rescinded. Air. Sinclair: We have seen to-day what has come about by the meeting of two bodies, and cannot something be devised over the salaries question in the hope of settling upon something. Mr. Tutton: We cannot accept that posi- tion at all. Mr. David Davies withdrew his amend- ment, and submitted another that the chair- man and vioe-chairin-an of the Education Committee, Mr. HoweJ Waikins, and Mr. Tutton be asked to moet the managers and discuss the matter of the teachers' salaries. Mr. Thompson seconded. Mr. Tutton raised objections as the prin- ciple of representation could not by the pre- vious decision of the Council be discussed. Mr. H. Watkins agreed. The Mayor ruled the amendment out of order. Mr. Merrells asked how he was to move in the event of his desiring to do something for the teachers in the Voluntary Schools? Mayor: You will have to give notice to the Education Committee. Mr. Merrells saad he was not a member of that. commiteo- Mr. Livingston Bring it up at the next Council meeting- Mr. David Davies (referring to the Mayor's ruling) But the matter must not originate here. Deputy Town Clerk said that all matters must be referred to the committee except in cases of emergency. Mr. David Davies If the Mayor's ruling to day is correct this body is in no manner a revising authority. What power have we under that ruling over these minutes? The Mayor said the matter might be re- ferred back. Mr. David Davies: With a recommenda- tion? Mayor: You can do that, Mr. Dd. Davies moved that the matter be referred back to the Education Committee and reccmrne.vi the expediency of meeting the managers to consider the question. If you shut that out," said Mr. Davies, then the revision that thjs the superior body can do becomes an utter farce." < Mr. H. Watkins admitted that there WEUS a difference between the two amendments. Deputy-Town Clerk said the principle was the same as in ordinary Council. Suppos- ing some member said Walter-road should h., lit by electricity, that crmld not be re- commended if there is no reference to it in the minutes. Mr. David Davies (holding up the educa- tion minutes) But here is a bundle of re- ferences to the Oxford-street Schools. Aid. Solomon said the question of the salaries was only contained in a letter of tlv clerk a month ago. Mr.avid Davies But he is the mouth- piece of the committee. Mayor (after speaking to the Deputy- Town Clerk) I am informed by tho Town Clerk that the amendment is out of order, so we proceed to the next business.
SWANSEA MILLERS'' STRIKE.
SWANSEA MILLERS' STRIKE. MESSRS. WEAVER'S MEN COiYlE OUT. INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO DOCKS MEN. LABOUR LEADER AND THE r. Li- PLOYERSCHALLENGE. EMPLOYEES OFFER ARBITRA- TION. As announced on ednesday, instruc- tions were issued by Mr. Harry Y\ idiams (secretary, National Amalgamated l.u;x>ur- ers' Union) on Wednesday evening for tlie employes at Messrs. Weavers I-lour Mills, Swansea, to cea.se work in consequence of the firm refusing to grant an advance of wages asked for, which amounts to a request practically for 2s. a week all round. The employes of Messrs. Thomas, Evar.?, and J- Dyer were at the swio time instructed by Mr. Williams to give a week's notice. Over 300 men a.re affected in the two notices, fers. Wfavtr's men numbering alout 180. As a consequence the night shift on vYednas- day at Messrs. Weaver's did not go in, and during the night and on Thursday these mills were at a standstill. The masters' reply to the men s demands were received by Mr. Harry W illiams shortly after four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. At that time he was due to give evidence in a County Cour case, and was no free until five o'clock. By means of the tele- phone Mr. Wilhams ordered bills to be printed, and within an hour all the prelim- inary arrangements for a stoppage had been made. The committee room at the Bird-in- Hand, High-street, had been bookoG pre- viously in of emergency. The instruc- tions issued to the. men were that no work- man of Messrs. eaver was to rctuni 10 work until the- dispute was finaijy set'led. The significance of Ims stop wii: be appre- ciated when it is remembered that praict'.o ally the whole of the employes at ibs Swan- sea Docks—numbering over 1,909—are in the National Labourers' Union, and Mr. W il1- liams has several times stated that he has only to hold up his little finger to r-.uise a complete paralysis of trade at the port. The boatmer. have been instructed not io touch any ropes or in any wav assist any consigned to Messrs. Weaver and Co. or Thomas, Evans, a-nd Dyer. The tagooat- men are instructed similarly not to assist any such vessel the trimmers were instructed not to put any coal into any vessel that has been discharged by the two firms by non- Union labour t.he hydraulic men were tocid not to put down a chute on any vessel dis- charged by the firms bv non Cillon labour, and no cranem-en were to work a.:I Yseil consigned to these two firms unless ordered by the generil secretary. The inFtrud ions to the men concluded with the wr)ris:- "This is a fight to a finish, ar.d a the em- ployers give no quarter they car? expect none from us. Every man is expected to be true to the Society and fight to iii end." Messrs Weaver's men met at the Bird-in- Hand on Thursday morning at ten o'clock. and Mr. Harry Williams, seen by a "PoGt" reporter, said he meant fighting to the bitter i end, and had plenty of funds. He also s"id he had written to the employers stating that he had accepted the challenge, but at the same time would be prepared to meet them if they desired. The reason why there is a difference-in the treatment of the two firms is that the new engine at Messrs. Weaver's has been overbau led, and the men had been working from day to day.
|MEETING OF TIl: MEN.
MEETING OF TIl: MEN. MR. HARRY WILLIAMS ADDEl HS STRIKERS. LITTLE FACTS UK HAS UP H SLEEVE. FIRM'S ABILITY TO PAY UIGH DIVIDENDS. A crowded meeting of the men on strike was held at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel on Thursday, Mr. J. Miles presiding. Mr. Harry Williams said so long as inen belonged to that union he had taken oare belonged to that union he had taken care they should not get victimised by any em- ployer. It was not for him to a,rgue z, whether Messrs. Weaver and Co. could compete with other millers; the fact was that the men were worse off to-dav than they were four years ago. The had I MR. HARRY WILLIAMS. told him that with the purchasing power of money they could not live as well and keep as good a home, etc., as they could four years ago. (Applause). So Jong as the firm paid 12 per cent. they could .Il'.iid to pay better wages. (Applause). It(-, could say a lew things which would surprise Messrs. Weaver and Co. if he gave it out in public. A director had tedd him the other day that he wanted a deputation with the speaker, because he was going to ask bme questions which would be necessary to pdt to a practical man, as the speaker did not know anything about the mills, li that gentleman knew all t-he little things the speaker knew about Weaver's mills he would be very much surprised. The reason he did not gl\t them out was that there might be a libel case. The speaker knew the tinu would like to reduce the funds of the Labourers' Union with a nice little libel case; ii they did there would e some left. (Laughter) The speaker heard a remark the previous day which had been passed by a certain otiie'al in Weaver and Co. to the effect that if the men belonging to the firm came out -otild starve them into submission, bet.ause the National Labourers' Union bad not any funds to protect the members. The speaker did not wish to bounce in a.ny way, but he was going to begin the strike with £ 2,500, and when that was finished he had got some more. (Ap-
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ARBITRATION iFFEEED.
ARBITRATION iFFEEED. "IF THE MEN RETURN FORTHWITH." Messrs. Weaver and Co., Ltd., have re- plied to the men's letter as foalows:To Mr. Harry W. Williams. Dear Sir,—We an in receipt of your letter of even date. "Subject to our uken returning to work forthwith, we are prepaired (without pre- judice), to submit the whole matter res- pecting the question in dispute to aa-oo- tration, a-nd we suggest that the arbitra- tor be nominated by the Board of Trade; his award to be loyally accepted by both sides."
"WILL NOT BE~ACCEPTID."
"WILL NOT BE~ACCEPTID." MEN TO MEET TO-MORROW: MR. WILLIAMS' OPINION. 1T. H Williams, seen by a "Daily Post" reporter, with reference to the firm's offer, said the matter would be placed before the men for final decision on Friday morning. His own view, however, was that the offer would not bo accepted, as the men. being once out, were determined to stop out until the matter was settled. "If they wanted arbitration," said Mr. Williams, "or conciliation, they had the option of it before. It is too late now. Once they drive me to a strike I am fight- ing." "Then there is little prospect of a settle- mentT" "None," was the replv. UNION'S REPLY TO MESSRS. WTEAA"ER. The following is a, copy of the letter which Mr. Harry Williams sent to Messrs. Weaver:— "January 16th.-Dear Sir,-I am in re- oeipt of yours of even date with reference to referring the matter in dispute to arbi- tration. I have been instructed by the men up to now that once they go out they would not return to work until the matter was settled between yourselves and me. I am not prepared to say what answer the men may give you with reference to your letter, but I will place the matter before them at a meeting in the morning, and you will have your answer from the men through me." It may be mentioned that the union has 2,0.:18 members in Swartwa. and those now on strike will reccive strike pay aceordins: to Mlle. This averages 12is. per week, with an allowance far each child.
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ly[. C. C,'S HEAVY DEFEAT.
ly[. C. C,'S HEAVY DEFEAT. WORN OUT ENGLISHMEN. (Beater's Foreign Special. Adelaide, Thursday-The test match has concluded. Australia won by 245 runs. England were all out for 133 runs. AUSTRALIA.-lgt Inuings. -r- Total AUSTRALIA-Zud Inninw. Total 506 ENGLAND—1st Innings. Totad 363 ENGLllcd innings. Total —— 183
IATAEMLKG INCIDENT IN SKETTY…
I ATAEMLKG INCIDENT IN SKETTY ROAD. At six o'clock on Wednesday evening as a Cower bus, belonging to Mr Taylor, Llan- gennfth. was proceeding homeward, and passing Gwydr Gardens, Sketty-iowl, Swan- sea, the vehicle, to the consternation ct the passengers on a tram oax and pflflBBUB by. suddenly crashed amrOl1 ila left aide and Sà0 JdæI't. &
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THE AMERICAN HOLOCAUST.
THE AMERICAN HOLO- CAUST. DREADFUL THEATRE DISASTER MAD STAMPEDE FOR LIFE. DEATH-ROLL CLOSE iN 200. Philadelphia, Tuesday.—The most hor- rible theatre disaster that has occurred in this country since the Iroquois Theatre fire in 1903 in Chicago, when nearly 600 people lost their lives, took place last night in Boyertown, a small place near Pottadown, about forty miles from here. I have just returned from Boyertown, in which every family is mourning the loss of one or more of its members, for neatly 170 people perished in last night's disaster, and the town itself contains only some 3,000 in- habitants. It was during the middle of & moving picture exhibition that the disaster ooourred. One series of pictures had been shown to a. delighted audience which crowded every part of the hail, but when the second series commenced to be displayed something went wrong with the gas connection, and a load: explosion occurred and set fire to some of the woodwork about the apparatus. The accident itself was of no consequence, and had the audience retained presence of mind the fire could easily have been put out and no loss of life would have occurred. A general stampede, however, set in, and those in front made a dash for the stage, which, in lieu of gas footlights had oil lamps, the lamps were overturned, and soon the place was a mass of flames. It was the overturning cf the oil lamps that really did the damage. The oil ran in rivers of flame across the stage, setting tire to the scenery and drapery, and when this happened there was no longer the slightest hope of check- ing the stampede. With cries twwl shrieks that the place was on fire, the crowds surged to the back of the hall, endeavouring to squeeze through tike two medium-sized doors giving admis- sion, and the fight for life was terrihc. Many of those wl10 had got upon tlie qtage made their way to the exit there, but the stage door was left open and the wind fanned the flames, whicti, feeding upon the painted canvas and lies, swept out ever the auditorium, burning, blinding and suffocat- ing the irantic crowd seeking to escape. The mass at the doors formed a human barricade, so tightly were they wedged in the openings and the passage. Many of those who gained the exit feU as they were pushed from behind on the staircase, and once fallen they could not rise. The others, like wild animals, trampled on them and pushed their way over their bodies to the outer door. Little children and young girls went down in this mad death drive, while strong men made of their bodies a path to safety. There was no question of cowardice or courage, the panic had turned almost every- one into something inhuman, and the few cooler spirits who attempted to shield some of the helpless at first were themselves transported into maniacs when their efforts became unavailing and then the first Jaw of nature became their standard. The smallest children were underneath with their chests crushed in, with their skulls in many instances broken and their flesh cut beneath the feet of the struggling crowd. The condition was exactly similar at the windows, where only the most agile, scrambling over the heads and faces of others, plunged out headlong in their haste to escape. A number were killed in this manner and had their limbs broken. Searchers in the ruins to-dav found several bodies in a kneeling position, with their hands clasped, as though their last act had been one of prayer. Among the identified dead are thirty-two men and youths, fifty-six women and girls, and thirteen small children. Two members of the Boyer family, from whom the town is named, are among the victims.—("Daily Chronicle.") Reuter states that up to 5 pjn. on Tues- day evening 167 bodies had been recovered.
- LLANELLY DIVORCE.
LLANELLY DIVORCE. RICHAELIEU V. RICHAELIEtL London, Thirr-day.- In the Divorofl Court to-day—before the president, Sir Gorell Barner,a decree nisi for the dissolu- tion of her marriage was granted to Mrs. Louisa Richaelieu, a governess living at Hull, until recently of Llanelly, on 'he ground of the cruelty and adultery of her husband, Mr. Irdan Miguael Richaeiien, a jeweller, who had resided at Llanelly. The suit was undefended.
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POST OFFICE LETTING.
been got in 1901 kept till 1905 Give any nartie they like to it, but a Liberal poli- tician had used 11)S position as chairman of the Sub-property Committee to lease to the Liberal member for Swansea under condi- tions unfair to the ratepayers." A Voice Hear, hear. Mr. lutton If you cover it, or it is covere I for Mr. D. Davies, pc ssioly the result of to-day will crop up in another place. It has cost me an election, ar.d therefore by implication it has lost me the confidence of a certain number of people which I have held for 20 or more years. Mayor said there might have-, been a verbal offer, but theie was nothing before them in writing. Town Clerk, in answer to a question, said the whole of the facts were embodied in th0 ietters before them. Mr. Trtton said as Instance of the at- tempt to twist. his statements, it had been stated that he (the speaker) bad dd lared It was a most magnificent site.' n:.1 statement he had made in reference to ',he combined site. Alr- Tutton ren'inded the Council that Mr. Howell 'Thomas remained with Mr. W. J. Rees until 1904 before en- tering into the service of the Corporation, and from what he knew of Mr. Thomas h 1 should have expected the latter to say—if h2 had known-" I know where I can get a customer." Mr. Howell Thom.1,S did not, however, recollect anv offer being made. MR. DAVID DAVFES' AMENDMENT. Mr. Davies said he wished to move an amendment. Mr. Tutton said if Mr. Davies wis io make another speech, he should claim ihe same. Mr. D. Davies said he had a perfect right to move the following amendment "That I in the opinion of tlie Council the negotia- tions over the letting of the old Post Office building should have been characterised oy the equal treatment of all the possible lessees." Mr. Tutton submitted it was no amend- ment at all. Air. Thompson rose to speak. Mayor said he could hot allow any mote speaking. Mr. Thompson That is to say I am gagged. (Laughter). Mr. Davies, who was ruled to be in order, said he had not st,at.ed Mr. Tutton fixed the value of £ 500. What he said was the only figure mentioned by Mr. Tutton or Mr. Bell was £ 500. It was according to the statement of Mr. Tutton himself, as reported in the Daily Leader," Mr. Tut- ton who had fixed the rental for Sir George I' Newnes. Mr. Tutton said he was not respon- sible for that report. Mr. D. Davies asked if it wa-s able that a reporter shoaid from his, own imagination supply the actual figures and, terms of the letting in tie report of the meeting. At a subsequent meeting, when Mr. Tutton spoke, the latter never made a sugges- tion that the report was wrong. It was in- conceivable that the statement shcutd have been concocted with all the figures correct. The bank authorities approached the Post Office before the expiration of the lease with the idea of getting the anetpired period. As for the letter of the late Estate Agent, Mr. Howell Thomas was not appointed to that position until 1904, when the bank authorities had long before gone elsewhere for a site. The negotiations with he bank were finished in 1902. Mr. Tutton had stated that he did nor, fix the value of the site. But would Mr: Tutton have let that statement if incorrect gl) unchal- lenged ? Mr. Thompson said there had been no discussion in the Council except the clo- sure was applied when a member ot the Reform party was on his legs. ° the Mayor) Your appeal will not be m vain, and I merely ask your permission to second the amendment Aid D. WiHiams said the whole of the negotiations for letting took place when the mover of the amendment was a member of the Sub-Property Committee, and if lie was aware that unfair treatment was being meted out Mayor appealed to Aid. Williams. Aid. Williams Then the gag is not only on the Municipal Reformers. (Laughter). Aid. Williams contended the mover of the amendment was equally to blame as any member of the committee-if anyone was to blame. Mr. D. Davies said he was not a mem- ber during the later transactions. Mr. Lovell said the amendment was in- consistent.. The amendment was put, the following being the voting For (7) Messrs. Corker, D. Davies, Hemmings, Hopkin, Latimer, Molvneux and Thompson. Against (20) Aldermen LeW.IS, Mathews, Payne, Rawlings, Solomon, D- Williams and W. Williams, Messrs. Colwill, Pbilip Davies, T. J. Davies, I- Gwymie, Ben Jones, D. Jones, Livingston, Lovell, Miles, Owen, Ruthen, Tutton and H- W atkins. Th 3 Mayor and a number of members did Owen, Ruthen, Tutton and H- W atkins. Th 3 Mayor and a number of members did not vote. 1 The resolution was then put. and carried.
|MEETING OF TIl: MEN.
piause). No one detested tiie najmeof strike more than the speaker; no man hated a strike more than he did, but when he was driven to one he would use every weapon be could handle ana every man who be- longed to the union before he was beaten, and if necessary to win the strike he would call out every man in Swansea belonging to the union before he gave in. (Applause). There were something like 600 trimmers, all members, together with every dry-dock man; almost every man under the Harbour Trust, Lug-boatmen and boatmen, and with the speaker's experience of Swansea men, for twenty yeais as Labour leader, he honestly believed that if he were to go to the docks to-day and ask aj)y one of the sections to put down their tools they would do so like men. (Applause). lie hoped it I would not be necessary; he did not wish to harm any other employer, the brokers or the shipowners, but he would use every w/eapon he had before he got '*lick-Pd- (Applause), If it was necessary to appoint pickets that would be done later m the dav. Hs asked the men "Do you think the firm can compete and pay i-d wages?" (Voicos: "Yes," and "Cerl.affily. ") They told the speaker he knew nothing about mills. Why, he knew everything. When a ship went to Weaver's all that was necess- ary to be done was to put the elevators on board, and in half a day they began to worK; the grain went up to the mill by itself it was weighed automatically; in fact, it went up into the mill with profit to the employers, because the ship was charged enougn to make a pront on discharging the firm's own cargo. Take the caee of Sruiier's- Their ship- had to be discharg-ed at the top end of the East Dock, Capdifi, busheiied, bagged and tied up over the side into lignters. A steam barge had to be kept to take the lighters to the West Dock, where the works were and then they had to go through the same process, more costly even than Weaver's, to get it into the works at all. Yet they oouid charge Is. a sack for the floor more than Weaver's and get it- He was certain that Weaver's coukt com- pete, even if they accepted a iiuJe less profit for the shareholders. (Applause). On the following day he intended opening out the whole question. He was sorry Messrs. Thomas Evans and Dyer had seen their way to back up Weaver's, but when he opened out on the following day they would see whether Weaver could not conmete, and the public would find that the men iu the union were a solid body, prepared, if driven to it, to fight for their rights. (Applause). Mr. Williams counselled the men to carry out the strike credible to themselves, to the speaker, and their union. (Applause). The Chairman spoke of the cost of neces- sities, and said the fiour Weaver's made could be bought by men elsewhere at Id. a loaf cheaper. Mr. W. Jenkins proposed a vote of con- fidence in the general secretary.- Mr. F. Evans seconded, and said "Let us do our duty as men, and fight for that which it is necessary for us to live."—Carried. Mr. Williams said if it was a question of competition it was competition in men's l'an 3 bodies—competition in selling men's ronls almost, and why should the labourer be used as a tool to hurl the shares up of the capitalists? (Applause). The men had begged long enough; they were bogging in Cardiff and Newport, and got nothing. "Now you are out to fight for it and you are more likely to get it that way than begging." The strike committee then met to make their arrangements.