COAL INCIDENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 5

COAL INCIDENTS.

STRIKE.COMMITTEE'S VERSION. HOSPITAL SUPPLIES. (By Telegraph.—PresE Association.! Waihl, May 17. Tho position of affairs in connection ,with tho strike of minors is unaltered. Tho Strike Committeo had uindo (h« following statement in regard to tho coal incidents:—"The Borough Engineer was summoned to appear before the Strike Committee. Tho'ouginccr explained that ho hud bought on behalf of.the Borough Council sixty odd tons of cord from the Grand Junction Company, which hud been refused transit by tho Striko Committee. As to tho gasworks being short of coal, ho said on order was on tho road, but the present supplies would' last two months. In. regard to the coal purchased from th* Grand Junction, the Strike Committee refused to allow its transit to the gasworks. "Tho Jlavor waited on tho Striko Committee, and stated that tho Grand Junction had agreed So sell (he hospital n. truek of coal, and asked permission to havo tho coal carted to the hospital. They replied that as it was slack conl it was'unfit for open-firo purposes. - lie Mayor was also informed that, seeing the Borough Council had so generously come to the pul of (he Grand Junction Companv, the borough had sufficient coal to inert all hospital requirements, pending o>o arrival of their own consignment. The Jlavor was further informed (lint the Strike Committeo wouul see lhat.tlie requirements of (ho sick in. She Hospital would be considered by their committee. The Mayor (lien retired." . The statement gees on to say— "The committee's action m the above refers was endorsed at a mass meeting of tho men yesterday. A member explained that another member q? the union had been refused admittance of lii»clllltl by the medical supcrintewicnt until, the «t'riko was over. This action, was vigorously condemned, and a special committee was set up (o investigate. It now appears," proceeds the Strike Committee "that deliberate attempts are being tal in retaliation for refusing admission to a sick child. Tho union officials w-co-iiso that the hospital must be considered but at the same time they disapprove of tho Hospital Board acting as a tool of tho company, and ensuring with courage (he Grand Junction aganis;t In* with the ratepayers' money. The. bUiko Committeo's opinion is that the, whole eauso was a (ran to alienate public sympathy and nullity the strikers.