RED PLOT BELIEVED TO BE BEHIND DOCK STRIKE

Chronicle (Levin), 4 July 1949, Page 5

RED PLOT BELIEVED TO BE BEHIND DOCK STRIKE

Received Monday, 10 a.m. LONDON, Ju.y 3. Four members of Parliament for . dockland constituencies, who allege j that there is a Communist sabot- | r.ge plot behind the London dock I strikes, will visit the Homie Secre- . lary, Mr. Chuter Ede, tomorrow to urge action by M.I.S. (Britain's Secret Service). . Mr. Robert Mellish, Labour M.P. I for Rotherhithe, told an East End ! meeting of the Transport and Gen- i cral Workers' Uiiion that he and Ihree other members of Parliament had investigated the situation aboard. the Canadian ship ; Beaverbae. Mr. Mellish told lieuter: "My information is being ■ transmitted to the Home Secretary ior acLon by the secret service. Disciosures reveal what I believe to be an organised attempt to disrupt the country's economy and the trade union loyaity of London dockers is being exploited by a Communist element." Crane Workers Staying Out. Lonaon crane workers- today adopted a resolution condemning the . dock strike as "phoney" and reco'mmending that their union should stay out of it. The men deplored the "activities of certain political elements who are attempting to disrupt the country.'' Meanwhne, the plans for go-slow tactics which would hamper all British rail traffic from tomorrow hung in the balance tonight as railwajmen met throughout the country to decide whether to accept or reject their union executive's call for normal working. Many meetings were not expected to announce their deeision much before midnight tonight,- when the go-slow plan is due to be put into action in an efif ort to force the r$Uway executive to grant an allround increase in wages for railwaymen. London dockers on strike now total upwards of 8000 with 78 ships awaiting unloading and another eight undermanned.