Llanelly Star

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?,-  THE' ¡y "SR'I< E THE national strike of railwaymen is deplorable from every point of view. It has plunged the country into confusion, inflicted suffering on hund- reds of thousands of innocent people, and if it is prolonged, will bring the nation to the verge of starvation and bank- ruptcy. Already factories and works have closed their doors, collieries are working only spasmodically, shipping is held up,—in fact the whole fabric of our industrial life is shaking to its very foundations. Above and beyond these sinister facts, is the moral issue which is involved. This is not a fight between workmen and a private employer. The railwaymen are now challenging the State. They are fighting the Govern- ment with the full knowledge that be- hind that Government is the nation. They broke off negotiations with the Primo Minister, tore up the existing agreement as a mere "scrap of paper," refused to listen to all appeals to post- pone drastic action, and immediately de- clared a "lightning strike." This was on Friday afternoon, and at midnight of the same day all work on the railways throughout the country came to a dead stop. NO BALLOT I WHAT is really at the bottom of this » terrible conflict ? Who are the men who have engineered this disastrous business ? We have a pretty intimate knowledge of the railwaymen of Llanelly and, presumably, those in other towns j are men of the same calibre. They tire as a class men to esteem and speaking with all sincerity, we cannot imagine them initiating or even supporting a policy which can only end in ruin and disaster for them and for everybody else, The engine drivers and firemen, the cheerful porters, the permanent way men, the traffic workers—we have them in Llanelly and a fine body of men the- are. We fool sure, from our knowledge of them, that the last thing in the world they would desire would be to inflict in- jury or harm upon anyone!. Feeling se- cure that their wages were not to be touched until the end of the year, we do not believe that they would hold up a hand in favour of a lightning strike. Whatever their opinion might be of the Prime Minister or Sir Eric Geddes, they would, we are confident, hesitate before agreeing to plunge a dagger "at the na- tion's heart. And yet, this is what has been done. Is it not safe to say that if a ballot had taken plaoe, the result would be against a strike? BLUNDERED BADLY. I TUDGED from the standpoint of mere tactics, the N.U.R. executive have blundered badly. If there was any at- tempt to interefere with the wages of the men, or -to break the solemn agreement which the Government made with them there might be some justification for an immediate "down tools" policy. But not even Mr. J. H. Thomas can suggest that the Government has any such ne- farious scheme up their sleeve. All that "Jimmy" can put forward is that the Government have made up their minds to crush trades. unionism and that if the railwaymen lose this fight, it will soon be the turn of other trades. Where Mr Thomas can find any evidence to justify this charge he does sot tell us. The fact is that at the present moment, the Gov- ernment are working in close oo-operation with trades unions and are doing their best to bring Whitley schemes into oper- ation in all industries. These schemes pro- vide for equal representation of employes and employers on the same lines as the admirable ConciJia tion Board which has done so much to establish the tinplate trade on a firm basis and provide stand- ard wages for all tinplate workers. Would not our railway friends at Llan- elly, like the tinplaters, prefer a Concil- iation Board to a lightning strike ? PUBLIC OPINION. THE fundamental fact, however, is -L this. However strong or however weak the case of the railwaymen may be, whatever may be the merits of the dis- pute, there is no possible justification for declaring an immediate strike, especially when the consequences of such a step may be so appalling. Let us illustrate the point by a local example. Sup- pose, for instance, a dispute as to the wages to be paid next year between the bakers of Llanelly and their employes. Negotiations are on between the parties concerned, and the employers suddenly issue an ultimatum-"If you don't agree to what we put forward we shall shut down every bakery in the town at mid- night." We can imagine the outcry that would go up in all quarters against the high-handed action of the employers. But is not this just whnt the N.U.R. have done ? For the life of us we cannot eee the urgency of a dispute in reference to wages to be paid three months and pos- sibly six months hence. This is what the man in the street cannot see, and this is why public opinion Is dead against the railwaymen*

WEDDING BELLS. EVANS—CARTWRIGHT. A quiet wedding (by licence) took place on Monday at All Saints Church, when Miss Wynifred (Gwen) Cartwright, Glenleigh, College Hill, youngest daughter of Capt. Cartwright, was mar- ried to Mr. Brin Evans, B.Sc., son of Mr. John Evans, "Berwyn," Felinfoel. Rev. Canon Watcyn Morgan assisted by the Rev. W. T. Havard officiated. The bride was given away by Mr Evan Jones, Surveyor, Stepney Estate, and had in at- tendance Mrs. Phil Jones (sister of the bridegroom) The duties, of best man were ably carried out by Mr. -1. A. Rees, brother-in-law of the bride. Mr. and Mrs. Evans left later in the day for London, where the honeymoon will be spent.

I More Room Wanted. I OVERCROWDING AT THE INTER- MEDIATE SCHOOL. The need for additional accommoda- dation at the Intermediate School was strongly urged by the Headmaster (Mr. G. J, Thomas, M.A.) at the meeting of the Governors on Thursday. It appears that there are 60 more boys at the school now than there were last term, and there was a possibility that still more old boy of the school would return. He suggested that steps be taken for pro- curing the use of the Glenalla School- room. The Chairman (Aid. Jos. Roberts): But isn't Glenalla Schoolroom rather far away from the school ? Aid. D. James Davies: What about Stebonheath ? Couldn't a portion of that school be temporarily occupied by boys of the Intermediate ? It would not be for long, and I am sure the Education Authorities would not mind. The Headmaster: I had not thought of the possibility of getting Stebonheath. Mrs. Phillips-: Wasn't a resolution passed some time ago that admittance to the school be refused if there was lack of accommodation ? Mr Thomas: That was so, but it would be an extremely difficult fmatter to refuse admittance to all the scholars desirous of entering. I have already refused to admit boys under 12 years of age. Coun. E. Willis Jones: I should not think it advisable for the Headmaster to count too much on acquiring Stebon- heath just yet. I propose that Mr. Thomas should find out the condition of filonalla School as to repairs, etc., in case the Governors might, later on, be held responsible for the state of the schoolroom. Mr. Thomas: Oh, it is in perfectly good condition. After further discussion it was ultimately decided to authorise the Headmaster to take the necessary steps for the acquiring of Glenalla School room temporarily.

Mr. Gough Williams, local secretary of the Shop Assistants Union, has been ap- proached with a view to being nominated as a candidate at the Borough Council election.

A speaker at the meeting of the National Union of Clerks on Wednesday said: "It was a difficult job to find an employer in Llanelly in a decent frame of mind." Fancy a clerk saying that

Ex-Serv?ce Men andStrike I LIVELY MEETING AT LLANELLY. I The Athenaeum Hall was crowded out I on the occasion of a meeting of the Dis- charged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers Federation on Wednesday after- noon. The meeting was convened for the pur- j pose of submitting a resolution regarding the attitude the Federation would adopt Ii during the present crisis. Mr. Jack Morris, the secretary, then read the resolution drafted by the offi- cials:- "That this mass meeting is of the opinion that the best interests of the com- munity will be served by the ex-service men remaining neutral in the present railway crisis." A representative from the Burry Port Branch then read a resolution which they had passed pledging themselves to stand together to prevent any Class Z man be- ing called upon by the Government for strike breaking or any other purpose. A Voice: The Government want us to support them. Do they deserve our sup- port ? A Voice: Wo want to know whether they wish us to fight in another country ? Cries of "Order" and "Rubbish." A member kept continually interrupt- ing the speakers, and the audience de- manded that he should be 'chucked out.' The same voice: What are we going to do ? A member: Oh, "shove a sock in it" (laughter). A member spoke supporting a motion that the Burry Port resolution should be added to the Llanelly one, and he said: "We will all refuse to go if they call us up for further service." A Voice: And in to "clink" you will go (laughter). A Voice: Yes, and let them have a guard-room in Llanelly keep the de- serters (laughter). Voice: There is one • -i) out it, if they put us into "clink" They will have to feed us (loud laughter). Revolution by Evolution, Mr Tom Mabbett urged the mftT^r." to consider what they were a revolutionist myself continued he, but not a bloody revolutionist. I believe in revolution by evolution. People will shout out about the Government; but those people are the very ones who have put them there. My advice to you all is to he calm and if you are called up, decide yourself what step you will take ( applause) A complaint was made by various members that it was very unfair that certain newspapers stated that large numbers of ex-service men were volun- tarily assisting the Government in the present crisis. The Secretary contended that such statements prejudiced the public against the Federation, and he quoted a letter from the General Secretary of the Feder- ation which emphasized the advisability of maintaining a strictly neutral atti- tude. -A-,lr. Evans (of the D.S.S. Federation) said that the Discharged and Demobil- ized Sailors and Soldiers all over the country were discussing it, some were going to support the Government and others were not. He hoped that what- eik they' would decide to do they would stick to it, and acknowledge the respon- sibility (applause). The resolution was eventually carried, but the motion to incorporate the Burry Port resolution was defeated.

F.t 1!- rn c1 ia t e S ,l oJ —— 6 — Aid. Jos. Roberts, J.P., presided over t k' meeting of the Governors of the Intermediate School on Thursday after- noon, at which the Headmaster reported that the Foster Memorial Fund now stood at £ 105. The opportunity is still open for any friends of the late Lieut. Foster, who may not yet have done so, to sub- scribe to the memorial. "A Splendid Report." I The Clerk read the report of the C.M.B. Inspecor on the Girls' School ¡ which was of a most satisfactory nature. The Chairman said that it was a splen- did report, and he congratulated Miss Davies, the headmistress, on the success she had attained. It was mentioned in the report that a specialist in geography was urgently needed, and Miss Davies was authorised to find a suitable person to fill the post. Cleaner's Wages. I An application was received from the school cleaner for increased remuner- ation. It was explained that the erection of a hut in the school grounds had added materially to her work, and she had to employ an assistant to whom she paid between 14s. and 16s. weekly. It was decided to allow her an extra 12s. 6d. a week. Pariez VOus. I The Head Master reported that acting on the recently issued circular from the Board of Education he had secured the services of a Frenchman for the teaching of the French language. Emphasis was laid in the circular on the importance of teaching conversational French. The action of the Head Master was ap- proved of. 1 Roll of Honour. It was reported by the Headmaster that an old boy of the school, in the per- son of Arthur R. Brown, had executed a beautiful Roll of Honour for the school, and permission was asked to have the work suitably framed. This was readily given, and the Chairman, on behalf of the Governors, extended warm thanks to Mr. Brown for his fine gift.

Slow Payers. RATE COLLECTORS NOT ALWAYS TO BLAME. The Clerk (Mr. D. C. Edwards) re- ported at the meeting of the Board of Guardians on Thursday that a complaint had been made by the treasurer about the slowness of the Collectors in bring- ing in their money. Lady Howard: Disagreeabie Remarks about them have been passed at the County Council. I think they should perform their work better. The Clerk (jocularly) We can dismiss them if you like. Lady Howard: Oh, no Rev. Roberts: The Collectors are not all to blame. You must bear in mind that some people are very slow paying. Mr. David Evans: Yes. I know one Collector who put in a demand note in May and got paid in September. The discussion then dropped.

FROM LLANELLY TO ABERYSTWYTH. A party of Llanelly boys were travell- ing to Aberystwyth by motor-car on Wed- nesday for the purpose of entering the Welsh University when unfortunately, just outside Kidwelly, the car had a break-down, and the passengers were thThS placed in a dilemma, as Kidwelly is not a place where one can obtain cars at will. By a stroke of luck, however, they were overtaken by Mr J. Knoyle, grocer, who was doing some business with his motor van. Mr. Knoyle kindly gave the lads a lift to Carmarthen, where another car was procured and the journey to Aberystwyth completed without further mishap. >

A SEMI-NATIONAT, f' f., .4 .¡. Eieteddfod æ ( H.J ..{,. ? -? c. t,j 0 TV ill be held at the MARKET HALL, LLANELLY, On CHRISTMAS DAY (Dec. 25), 1919. Chief Items: Male Voice Competition: Test piece, "Martyrs of the Arena." Children's Choir Competition: Test piece, "Over the Fields of Clover." Other announcements will be issued shortly. Secret a-ries :-F. J. Saunders, Rhoslwyn, Robinson terrace, Llanelly. IVOR WALTERS, Glanmor Terrace, Llanelly. LLANELLY AND DISTRICT ALLOT- MENT HOLDERS' ASSOCIATION. A GENERAL MEETING of all the '??- AIloimcut Holders of Llanelly and District will be held at the Y.M.C.A. on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9tli, at 7.30 p.m. All Cottage Gardeners and Allotment Holders will be welcomed. W. J. EVANS, Secretary.

DEATH OF MR. MORR!S THOMAS. DEATH OF MR. MORRIS THOMAS. ) We regret to announce the death of Mr. Morris Thomas, joiner, 6, Florence street, who passed away on Thursday, Sept. 2.5th, in his 40th year, from heart trouble. Deceased had been ailing for only a week. He was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Llanelly Rugby Club, and very well known in the district. Much sympathy is felt for the widow in her sad bereavement. The funeral took place on Tuesday at the Box Cemetery. There were a large number of men present. Floral tributes were sent by the following-His Sorrowing Widow Father, Mother, and family; Dai and family; Jack, Evan, Peggy, and Sarah; Tom and family. Eileen and Nancy; Rev. and Mrs. Bevan; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Roherts; Mrs. Morris and family; Mrs. D. E. Perrott and family; Mrs. C. W. Brown; Mrs. McNicholas; Llanelly Town Band; New Dock Stars R.F.C. Mrs. Thomas wishes to thank all who so kindly sent the floral tributes and also notes of condolence.

Llanelly Cinema. There was no strike declared at the Llanelly Cinema this week, and every- thing went humming along, and the pic- ture artists have decided to perform as usual, and have promised to be on the screen next week, and if they cannot get there by rail they will' take the road, thanks to the enterprising manager, Mr. E. Carter, for securing the change. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next, the picture of special mention is 'A Grain of Dust,' a very fine story, depicting how the strongest and most successful of men may be powerfully influenced by a humble girl; in this drama Lillian Walker is the star. Willam Desmond will appear in "Fighting Back," a magnificent drama of great interest. Another episode of "A Fight for Millions" will be shewn. For the last three nights, Kay Laurefl and Russell Simpson appears in a grand Stoll (Goldwyn) production, entitled 'The Brand.' Another beautiful drama is 'The Whip,' a masterly screen production of the famous Drury Lane drama. Eddie Polo is most exciting in "The Circus King." Monday, and during the week. "The Adventures among the Cannibals" will be screened.

The local pressmen are up in arms I against the accommodation provided for l them at Stradey. It is to be hoped that the protest will not be in vadn.

Peace Peace Peace CLOTHES are now required for the millions of Soldiers and Sailors re- turning to Civilian life. Save your Tailor Clippings We buy all kinds paying 1/4 per lb. Write, call, or telephone to Charles Davies, Princess Street, Llanelly. Telephone No 123 Telegraphic address: Rags, Llanelly

Strike of Law Clerks a I EMPLOYERS AND THE UNION. At a meeting of Law Clerks,, held at the Athenaeum Hall-prior to the public meeting of clerks—on Wednesday night, it was unanimously decided to call a strike of law clerks as the local Solicitors had refused to meet Mr. Ben Griffiths, Welsh organizer of the N.U.C., to which Union the clerks belong, in order to dis- cuss the remuneration of the clerks. The date of the "calling out" was left to Mr. Ben Griffiths. Great enthusiasm wa,s shown, and a resolute determination to carry out their decision, in view of the scandalously low wages paid them, being in most instances lower than wagee received by road orweepem.

It is Said That a local orator had an embanass- ing experience at a party last Saturday evening. That he was holding forth in great style and explaining that all our modern troubles arose because society waa too artificial. That just at that psychological moment his false teeth dropped out. Collapse of the artificial orator. That it is not likely that a wedding, fixed for Xmas will take place after all. That the situation between the parties has been changed since the arrival of a letter from France. That it was too bad of the b-hoye to pin an "engaged" card on the back of a young lady at the Hippodrome on Mon- day evening. That as it happens, however, the des- cription is quite accurate because we hear that the "wedding march" is being re- hearsed in her honour. That Llanelly's victory on Saturday plunged Swansea, into the deepest glopm. That ly did the "Sospans" collar the point,1: -i. bagged a good gate. That there s a heated altercation on the Pwll car ..veen two local knuts on Monday aftt v.,t. That the abject of discussion amongst them was tie movements of a young flapper of cLeir acquaintance. That what the passengers wanted to know was why a married man should be so interested ? That a young lady greatly fancied her- self promenading up and down Stepney street on Tuesday morning. That adorned with her mother's veil, she went swanking along in the most ap- proved style., That if the mater happens to see this paragra.ph there will be trouble in a cer- tain household. That a local billiard expert (?) has been making up his balance sheet this week. That the record shows that he has played tweitty games, and paid for twenty. Might we again remind him of marbles ? That a local official appears to have formed an overmastering liking for revue. That at any rate there must be some strong attraction seeing that he has wit- nessed a certain revue five times this week. That it has been suggested that he has been smitten by the charms of one of the fair damsels Impossible That a clique of young men who visit a certain Pwll restaurant conduct themselves like Zulus in a war dance. That it is Natural for the suburban folk to pay so much attention to them and ex- press doubts regarding their sanity. That if their parents knew all about it we venture to say there would be an in- crease in the attendance of a certain Sunday school. That a slight difference of opinion be- tween two ladies was settled in the good old fashioned way recently. That the bout of fisticuffs was most exciting. That it is to be hoped that they will become friends again now that honour ha,s been satisfied on both sides. That two Llangennech "blades" had a rather warm time of it the other evening. That after escorting two fair maideDa to their homes in the Trostre district, they demurely asked for a sandwich apiece as a reward for their gallant con- duct. That their rejoicings were a treat to behold when each of the damsels brongJbBfc from the house a nice sandwich wtueb the bhoys thought contained meat. That their chagrin can be better im- agined than described w hen the two heroes dug their teeth into the bread only to taste—pepper. Oh, you wicked Cayeime( ie)