Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

IVir. Watts Morgan on the Crisis. Addressing the District Meeting on Monday, Mr. D. Watts Morgan, miners' agent, said that the Cambrian dispute was the gravest matter with which the district was confronted. On Saturday evening, four representatives from the Federation Executive waited upon the r Combine Workmen's Committee with a view to finding out the exact position and to advise upon what course should I be taken. The official report which had sappeaied .in the Press defined the line of -3 action to be taken, and the committee had resolved to be faithful to the decision of the Federation ballot and refuse to \york ¡for the Combine until a, fair price list had been settled for the Ely Pit workmen, or the 800 men locked out by the company consequent upon a failure to agree had been reinstated in their former employment. Future action would have to be decided upon either by a. mass meeting of the men or by the joint committee representing the whole of the collieries. He noticed in the news- papers a reference to a deputation which had waited upon a committee from the Powell Duffryn workmen. He knew nothing about this matter, but he would remind them that they had agreed upon a line of policy, and they could not very well depart from that with any degree of safety. It was explained that the deputation was received as a matter of courtesy, but nothing was done. The committee felt that the line of action had been laid down by the workmen, but if the suggestion of combined action had been made at the commencement of the struggle mat- ters might have been different. As mat- ters now stood it was agreed that the conduct of the fight should be left in the hands of the leaders.

Naval Workmen's Com- mittee. Compared to Comic Opera Duke Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P.,Interviewed In an interview with a Pressman, Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., managing director of the Cambrian Combine, said that the Naval Committee had led the workmen into a hopeless morass, and much as he sympathised with them it was not for him to lead them out of it. The terms arranged on the previous Saturday would compare favourably with anything which obtained at the neighbouring collieries. They were worse from the company's point of view than anything they had intended offering, and it was only at the instance of Mr. Fred L. Davis, and out of regard for the public interest, that they finally accepted them when they were suggested from the other side of the table. The action of the Naval Committee, proceeded Mr. Thomas. has been extra- ordinary, and I am bound to say frankly I think it is a deplorable condition of things when the prosperity of an impor- tant district like that of the Mid-Rhondda should be in the hands of a lot of young fellows who, whenever there is fighting, are like the Gilbertian Duke of Plaza Toro, who led his army from behind; he found it less exciting.' He was, however, glad that. the un- certainty was to be ended, because it was really impossible to carry on business on the conditions which had prevailed at their collieries during the last few months.

Mr. Watts Morgan's Resolve Willing to share with the Men. Mr. Watts Morgan dealt in detail with Mr. Thomas' statements at the District Meeting on Monday. After dealing with the various points raised in the inter- view, Mr. Morgan said: '• My plan would be to concentrate our efforts upon that pit (Ely), prevent workmen of all grades from doing any work at that pit or any new pit opened by the Combine, and pay the men affected at least 20s. a week whilst idle, and in that way keep them in tolerably comfortable circumstances, and thus prevent the Combine opening out this seam at any of their collieries. At present the Combine are trading upon the weakness of the men, who do not see that to some extent we are enabling the Combine to get indemnified by the Asso- ciation by rendering the collieries idle, whereas there are ways and means in other directions of compelling the manage- ment to recognise the rights of Labour as well as the rights of the shareholders, so that both sides might have a taste of Cambrian marmalade.' Now that the men have decided upon the course which they consider most acceptable to them,, not a word further will be said by me except that I will strain every nerve to maintain the men and their families as long as the strike lasts. As far as I am concerned, as I said at the meeting at Tonypandy, I am willing to share what- ever I have got and to be on the same pay as the men. If there is no alter- native I am willing to share with the men in this struggle, and no resource will be left unused in winning the men's fight."

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I Poisoned by Cas. Gilfach Manager's Tragic Fate. Body Founck in Disused Heading. Inquest Narratives. Considerable sensation was caused at Gilfach Goch on Friday last when it became known that Mr. Samuel Price, manager of the Britannic1 Colliery, who had. gone down the mine that morning at. 0 o'clock, was missing. Search parties were organised. and eventually Mr. Price's body was found in a disused part of the mine in the Tokio district, having; apparently been overcome by gas. The pit-head was visited by hundreds of people during the early part of the even- ing, eagerly expecting some news of the missing man. The body was conveyed home amid scenes of general sorrow. The Late Mr. SAM. PRICE. Narrative at the Inquest. The inquest on the body was held at Gilfach Goch on Tuesday last by Mr. D. Rees, coroner. Mr. Pearson represented the Home Office; and Mr. Leonard Llewelyn, Mr. Frank Llewelyn, and Mr. Trevor Price were present on behalf of the Britannic Coal Company. Charles Read, timberman, said he saw the deceased about 8 o'clock on Friday morning. Later he fancied he heard shouts, but thought the sound did not come from the Tokio district, where deceased was found. > John Powell (the overman) said the dis- used heading where deceased was found had been reported as containing gas, and the usual danger marks had been placed at the entrance. Deceased must have known of the presence of the gas; he had been there only a day or two pre- viously with the fireman. When the body was discovered there were no signs of a struggle. Deceased's lamp was found upright on the ground, and did not look as if it had been dropped. Brattice cloth had to be used to divert the air and clear the gas before the search party could go forward. Even- tually they found deceased who, from external appearances, had been overcome by gas. Thomas Evans (fireman), who had been in this heading earlier than the deceased on Friday morning, said he could not penetrate the heading for more than four or five yards because of the presence of gas, which he had recorded in the report book, and had also reported verbally to Mr. Price. He thought deceased first lost his light, then missed his way, and was poisoned by gas. Everything had been done by danger marks to warn per- sons of the presence of gas. Mr. Bowen Jones said when deceased was discovered to be missing he organ- ised search parties. The body was found about 8.30. He thought deceased had lowered his lamp flame to test for the presence of gas, which he found; he must have then dropped his lamp and tried to get away, but failed. Dr. McCarthy said a post-mortem examination had been conducted by Dr. Naunton Morgan and himself. He attri- buted death to poisoning by gas. Deceased had been dead about six hours before the body was found. The jury returned a verdict of Acci- dental death by gas poisoning." The funeral, which was for gentlemen only, took place on Wednesday for inter ment at Aberdare. where Mrs. Price was buried a few years ago. Mr. Price, who was about 50 years of age, was recently transferred from the management of the Naval Collieries, Penygraig. to a similar position at the Britannic, which is now also one of the concerns governed by the Cambrian Combine. Prior to taking over the management of the Naval Collieries about a. year ago he was manager of the No. 2 Pit, Clydach Vale, and had also been manager of the Blaenclydach Colliery. Mr. Price was for some years the sur- veyor at the Aberdare Collieries, and had spent practically the whole of his profes- sional career in the Rhondda Valley. He was of an exceptionally genial disposi- tion, and had made himself extremely popular and respected by everybody.

Combine Workers Bring Out Tools. Long Struggle Anticipated. Peace Efforts Prove Abortive- "Comic Opera Leaders"—Wlr. D. A. Thomas' Criticism. All the workmen employed at the collieries of the Cambrian Combine, totalling nearly 12,000, brought out their tools on Monday last, all efforts at securing peace having proved abortive. The collieries idle and the number of men employed at each are as follow: Cambrian, Clydach Vale 4,054 Glamorgan, Llwynypia 4,142 Naval, Penygraig 2,144 Britannic, Gilf ach 790 11,130 in addition, the disaffection has spread to the Aberdare and Maesteg districts, the total thus affected being over 20,000. A deputation from the Executive Council of the South Wales Miners' Fede- ration met the Joint Committee of the Cambrian Combine workmen on Saturday night, and discussed the whole situation in regard to the Ely dispute. The object of the meeting was to ascertain the desirability of having a ballot in order to test the feeling of the men. A strong feeling was expressed on all hands that the grievances of the men were of such a character that they were resolved upon fighting, and that a ballot would serve no good nurpose as there was no doubt t all as to the views entertained by the workmen. It was therefore resolved to dispense with a ballot, and to adhere to the previous decision to fight. This reso- lution was subsequently confirmed at a joint meeting of all the committees of the Combine workmen. The proceedings at both meetings were conducted in private, but the following is the official report,, given at the close — • A meeting of the Joint Committee representing the Cambrian Combine workmen, called at the instance of the Federation, was held at the Thistle Hotel, Llwynypia, on Saturday even- mg, to meet the deputation appointed by the Federation Council to confer with the committee upon the situation created by the failure to settle the Ely Pit nrice list. The deputation con- sisted of Messrs. John Williams M.P., John Davies, Dowlais; Vernon Hart- shorfi, Maesteg; and Thos. Richards, M.P. general secretary, accompanied by Messrs. D. Watts Morgan, Ben Davies, and W. H. Morgan, Rhondda miners' agents. The views of the Council upon the Combine dispute having been put before the meeting, a general discussion revealed the fact that there was absolute unanimity in the committee in favour of adhering to the decision of the ballot of the coal- field and stop work on Monday. The rumour that the Combine workmen desired a further ballot was strongly repudiated by every committeeman who addressed the meeting. After a general exchange of views upon the possibili- ties of the situation, it was unanimously resolved: That the tyrannical action of the Cambrian Combine in locking out a body of our fellow-workmen, to en- deavour through their sufferings to enforce an unfair price list upon other workmen, must be resisted at all costs. We therefore pledge our- selves to be faithful to the decision of the Federation ballot, and refuse to work for this Combine until a fair price list is settled for the Ely Pit workmen or over 800 fellow-workmen who are not affected, reinstated in their employment. This resolution was confirmed by a joint meeting of all the committees of the Cambrian Combine workmen. Later, a deputation from the Powell Duffryn workmen had a conference with the Combine Committee with reference to a joint action in the Aberdare struggle. It is reported that the suggestion met with approbation, but no definite line of action was taken. Another conference is expected to take place shortly.. Arrangements are being made to bring all the horses to bank, temporary stables having been erected at the colliery yards Feeding of Necessitous Children. A meeting was held on Saturday at Tonypandy Council Schools for the pur- pose of forming a Canteen Committee under the Rhondda Urban District Coun- cil to deal with cases of necessitous school children who, owing to the strike in Mid- Rhondda, might be underfed. Councillor J. D. Williams, J.P., was elected chair- man, and he was supported by Councillors D. C. Evans (vice-chairman of the Coun- cil), David Williams, William Thomas, Lewis Hopkins, and Mr. T. W. Berry (Director of Education). Councillor J. D. Williams explained the Provision of Meals Act, and emphasised the necessity of first exhausting other means of sup- port. It was resolved to hold another public meeting on Wednesday to fully deal with the matter and to arrange for a large working committee.

Workmen's Intention. -+--+- Historic Meetings at Tonypandy. Two largely attended meetings of the Cambrian Combine workmen were simul- taneously held on Wednesday at the Empire, Tonypandy, the Theatre Royal, and the Llwynypia Baths. The follow- ing resolutions were put to the meeting and carried with acelamation:- That steps should be taken by confer- ence with the leaders of the organisa- tions concerned with the view of get- ting the enginemen and stokers and winding enginemen to cease work by the end of the week That until this was brought about the men referred to should abstain under any circumstances from doing anything whatsoever outside their ordi- nary work; That, in the event of their making common cause with the miners, the latter pledged themselves that those men alluded to should be reinstated in their former occupation when a settle- ment was arrived nt. Mr. Wm. John, who presided at the Empire meeting, said that while they might differ on matters of policy, they were all united in their determination to make this struggle one tnat would never be forgotten in the history of the Com- bine (applause). They did not intend to resume work until every effort had been made to right the wrong that had existed among them (applause)/ There was abso- lute unity among them, and they wanted this unity and solidarity to obtain among their agents (hear, hear). In dropping tools they had the whole support of the Executive Council of the South Wales Federation. The Combine Workmen's Committee would strain every nerve to bring the fight to a. successful issue, and it was their intention to stop any man doing any work at the collieries. They intended to prevent even any of the officials.), from Mr. Llewelyn downwards, to enter the colliery yards (applause). Mr. D. Watts Morgan said if they, the Mid-Rhondda workmen, were going to fight, they must set themselves down to do so with grim determination to win (hear, hear). It ,was a well-known fact that negotiations in connection with the original matter in dispute had been con- ducted until the owners got the per- mission of the Coalowners' Association to tender notices—not to the 80 or 90 men directly affected by the dispute but to the whole of the men employed at the Ely Pit. No effort had been spared by the workmen and their representatives to obviate a stoppage of the Ely Pit. On August 31st, the last day when the notices were running out, a suggestion was thrown out by the management as to whether the men were prepared to let the matter go before an umpire or an independent arbitrator apart from the Conciliation Board altogether. To this they (the workmen's representatives) re- plied that they would offer no objection at all to this course provided a settle- ment was arrived at upon fair and equit- able lines which, would be satisfactory to the men employed in the seam. Later on in the day, however, a message was con- veyed to them to the effect that the Coalowners' Association would not consent to refer the matter. The question was asked as to whether they as workmen questioned the right of a company to close a. colliery if it was unremunerative. To this he (Mr. Morgan) made reply that none of them set up the claim that an employer was .bound to keep a colliery going if it did not pay. But the fact was that the promise made to them had not been fulfilled and the Ely Pit workmen were not only refused work at the other collieries governed by the Cambrian Combine, but were refused employment at any of the collieries which were in the Coalowners' Association in the district. He maintained that it was fair neither in the face of God nor of the law that detectives should be used by the employers to hound men who were not parties to any dispute from miliar to post and refused the right of selling their labour where it could be paid for by other colliery owners (applause). Mr. Morgan appealed to them to close their ranks, and present a solid front, so that they would all win or lose together.

Feeding of School Children. Combines Offer Rejected. A public meeting was held on Wednes- day evening at the Tonypandy Schools, convened by the District Council, to con- sider the question of providing food to necessitous school children during the present distress caused by the Mid- Rhondda strike. Councillor J. D. Wil- liams presided over a largo attendance. Mr. W. P. Nicholas (Clerk to the Council) appeared to answer questions on behalf of the Council Mr. T. W. Berry (Director of Education), Councillor Dd. Williams, and several local ministers and school- masters were also present. Mr. J. D. Williams explained the posi- tion, saying that the Act could not be put into force until the distress funds were exhausted. They could then get a grant of £ 1,200 from the Board of Edu- cation. He had received a message from Mr. L. W. Llewelyn stating that the board of directors of the Combine would give a donation of £ 100 per week as long as the. strike lasted. (Cries of Let him keep it," and "Let his money perish with him "). In answer to a question, the Clerk stated that the funds available must be. insufficient before the Act could be put into force. Another question was asked whether it would be fair to accept Mr. Llewelyn's money when the three meetings of the workmen held that day had resolved to reject the offer. Mr. J. Hughes said that as £100 per week was totally insufficient-E70 per day being wanted—he was of opinion that this offer had been made by the Combine directors merely as a hindrance to the grant of the Board of Education. Another question asked was that, as the Act only provided for the five school- days of the week, what would the chil- dren do on Saturdays and Sundays and also during the holidays if the strike proved to be a prolonged one? Could they ng utilise local donations for these un- provided days? The reply was in the affirmative. The Rev. E. Richards proposed that the meeting instruct the committee to apply to the Board of Education to put the Act of feeding necessitous school children into immediate action. Mr. Dd. Jones, Clydach Vale, seconded, supported by the Rev. W. A. Williams. The resolution was carried unanimously. It was also decided, on the proposition of Mr. Will John, seconded by Mr. Owen Buckley, to reject the offer of Mr. Llewelyn. This resolution was passed with only one dissentient. A Distress Committee was selected for the Llwynypia and Clydach Vale dis- WY. tricts, the present Penygraig Committee remaining.

Gelli and Cilely Disputes. Mr. D. Watts Morgan, presenting a report upon the various disputes in the district, said the men were still idle at the Gelli and Cilely Collieries. In regard to the former the position was unchanged, and they had already raised the question of the action of the company in locking- out a number of men in the other seams who were not affected. The whole of the men at the Gelli had received notices from the employers in consequence of a. failure to settle a price list for the seven- foot seam. At Cilely the men had refused to comply with the suggestion of the management that they should all go back to work unconditionally and that the question in dispute in the six-foot seam should be relegated to the Conciliation Board. The difference a.rose with regard to the stopping of a penny allowance per ton for .working on top of bottom coal. The men had now made an offer to return to work provided the management con- tinued to pay this allowance for the time being and then refer the matter to the Conciliation Board for investigation. If the management did not accept this offer the lock-out would continue.

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