The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 10

THE MAJW3BDESTER GTJARDIAK, THURSDAY; 1924. 10 POLICE INFORMER SENT TO GAOL. MEDALS. 11 CLASPS. 7 WOUNDS.

THREE SURREY CRICKETERS. THREATENED STRIKE OF BUILDERS. MEN TO BALLOT ON EMPLOYERS' OFFER. import to them and might be of still graver import- to the cause of Labour throughout Europe. There are claims which are just in themselves but are not opportune, an.

I become injudicious through the moment at which are pressed. For peoples' as for individuals the greatest wisdom lies not only in moderating demands but in choosing the opportune for pressing them. Hitch (left), Peach, and Hobbs choosing their bats at the Oval. TWO-AND-EIGHT A PENSION. DAY EXR ANKER OFFICER ANOMALIES.

The Committee appointed by the Government to consider the claims of ex-ranker army officers for augmented pensions concluded the hearing of evidence yesterday, and will report in due course. Mr. George Barnes is the chairman, and the two other members of the Committee are Sir William Finlay. E.C., and Sir Felix Pole, general manager of the Great Western Railway. When the sitting was resumed yesterday morning the chairman told Captain F.

D. Bone, general secretary of the ex-ranker officers' organisation, that the Committee would take one or two cases a little outside t)ie purview of your clients." Captain W. Hickman asked the Committee to include in this scope, if they could, the cases of ranker officers who had not been discharged to pension before appointment to temporary commissions, and after relinquishing their commissions, only received the pensions which they would have received in the rank they held before being commissioned. Captain Hickman added that his own re-tired pay after eighteen years' service, including four years as an officer, wss Is. 9d.

a day. Other ex-officers brought their cases before the Committee. "The dustman who collects dust has just retired on a pension of 2. 5s. a wvek from the Bermondsey Borough Council," said one, in calling attention to the scale of his own pension.

Dr. T. J. Macnaniara. M.P..

who was Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty twelve years, and whose father was a sergeant the army, was next called. Ho said that 50,000 warrant officers and K.C.O.'s ros to officers from the ranks during the war. The great bulk got permanent commissions, and were retired on the officers' retired scale. Mr. R.

Patterson (for the War Office: I do not accept that. Dr. Macnaniara repeated that the great bulk were given permanent commissions, but the Committee were concerned with a very small number, roughly about 2,500. When the new armies were being formed an appeal was made to pensioned warrant officers and N.C.O.'s to come forward, and they were told that they would be given tempurary commissions. He wondered if one in a thousand of those, men had any conception or what would be read hereafter into the term temporary If They Had Haggled.

There wa nothing about pensions -n the commission application form. If those men had paused to consider for a moment and had haggled with the War Office at that time they would, he was sure, have obtained mi assurance that they would be retired mi ofneeis' pensions. They continued to Jruw their liou-commissioued pension, and ihew the pay of their commissioned When they were demobilised tney went lack to their aioii-commissioned pension, and no addition was made to that pension in respect of their services as commissioned officers. "That is the grievance in a sentence," said Dr. Macnaniara, "and that, Mr.

Barnes, is what you have got to solve." Proceeding, Dr. Macnamara said he liked the devotion of tho War Office to the "closed book." But it was a book which Was opened by the War Office no doubt at the instigation of the Treasury on the slightest provocation if there was anything which could be recovered in respect of over-payments at any time. He was told of a lieutenant colonel with a pension of Z5s. a week uow a barman of a major who was now a blacksmith's striker; of a captain 60 years of age with long service who was a domestic servant. He was told that some of these ex-officens were casual labourers at the There was also the case of a' man who gave up a lucrative job to return to the army on the outbreak of war, and who had a command in France until he was knocked out.

That man had seven war medals, eleven clasps, was wounded seven times, and received a pension of 2s. 8d. a day. The Chairman said Dr. Macnamara hail made a very powerful plea.

Unfortunately he had not dealt with the difficulty that was in the minds of the Committee. Dr. Macnamara eaid later that there would undoubtedly be consequential claims, and they would have to be faced. The Chairman: I still have got the civilian officer in my mind. Dr.

Macnamara said the oung civilian to whose services lie paid tribute could not be placed in the same category as a highly-skilled professional life-long soldier. The Chairman intimated that all the evidence had been heard. He assured Captain Bone that all that had been eaid would receive due consideration by the Committee and whatever the result might be, the Committee appreciated the fact that Captain Bone represented those who gave dutin-guished and valuable service to the nation in' time of trouble. It is expected that the Committee's report will be issued within two or three weeks. SIR AUCKLAND GEDDES.

PROM DIPLOMACY TO BUSINESS. Sir Auckland Geddes, who early this year resigned his post as Ambassador to the United States, which he had held for three years, has entered business life, having become a director of the Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company. Sir Auckland, whose tenure of office at Washington covered the Washington Conference and the Anglo-American debt settlement, suffered from iH-health during his last year in -America, his eyesight being seriously affected. When he returned to this country he said that he would have a few months' rest before taking up any new work, and his health is now faHy restored. Sir Auckland was one of tho War Ministers.

He was Professor of Anatomy at McGill Universitv. Montreal l. -wi niisu vo broke out, entered the army (he had hedd a TOuuBisaion in toe Highland light Infantry in tho South African. War), and rose be enAraI of 'recruiting, HtmkL- JIMi the Government as Minister of National 8ervice, becamesuc frfS Minister of Reconstruction in ISM and President of the Board of Trade. In Universitv Princi of MoGill uoiveraity, and the same year went Washington as Ambassador.

His brother, Sir Eric Geddes, also left V5 IS THE BLASPHEMY LAWS. HOME SECRETARY FAVOURS ABOLITION. The Home Secretary received a deputation from the Society for the Abolitfon of the Blasphemy Laws, who urged that the law should be amended so au to prevent criminal proceedings for Maepbenry, leaving it for the ordinary law to deal with iadeomt or ffen-ivo language or breaches of the peace. Zhty represented that the common Uw 'ai well as the old statute law) in regard -o bias-phemy is partial in far as it is against expression of opinion hostile' to parUcular; religion, '-and', may ued to gratify personal bostOiiy. JThe.Hcflj.SecretTy expressed his twitty fQriapaibyintii 'the ease reaeated, aid.

explaining that he could hold oaino uvpv ui iegisiauon mis session, ne promised to bring the -matter' before "his colleagues gramme for a fubaaoueni section. A "RECEIVER" WITH A BAD RECORD. INCITED DESTITUTE MAN TO STEAL. Chatwick Chater Jordan (32), aa accountant, who was stated to have been a police informer, appeared in the dock at the London Sessions yesterday charged with receiving property knowing it to' have been stolen. He was found guilty and sentenced to eighteen mouths' imprisonment.

Indicted with him was Francis Kingsley O'ConftOr (21). a sailor, who pleaded guilty to six charges of stealing and receiving a suit oase and other articles." He was sentenced to twelve mouths' imprisonment. Mr, Percival Clarke, who' prosecuted, said the police, in order to detect some clinics, had to avail themselves of the services of persons who were known as informers. There was no doubt that the defendant tad been an informer for some time, and hail rendered service to the police, but that did not entitle him, when the occasion arose, to give up part of the property and keep uie rest of it. That was only a way of encour-ing criminals.

Mr. Claike said O'Connor had been stealing property irom various boarding-houses, and the prosecution Alleged that Jordan, who had been acting as an informer, ha-1 given up to the police some of the property which O'Connor hail stolen, but had kepi most of it. That, said counsel, seemed as if defendant was running with the hare and hunting with the Mounds. When Jordan was arrested '19 said he had been working as an intor-iuT for various officers of the City and Metropolitan Police Forces, and lied receivtd about 40 from them. Very Useful to Police.

Detective Sergeant Selby said that Jordan' had given very useful information to the police. The day before thu arrest he nad arrested a nian on Jordan's information. Jordan, giving evidence, on nis own behalf, said he had been convicted of false pretences and served j. sentence of nine months imprisonment. Sinco his sentence he unuie up his mind, as he detested thieves, to work against them.

He bought the property fron OVonuui-, believing that it was O'Connors own property and had not been ttolen. O'Connor deceived him entirely. The jury, without leaving the box, found Jordan guilty. ueiacnvc sergeant Had low said that Connor wish nine other offences of fcteuling from boarding-houses to be taken into consideration in addition to the cluiyes in tho indictment. He had been convicted on previous occasions, and had been sent to Borstal.

He came o. a good family in Liverpool, and had given the police every help in trying to tiace the property he had stolen. Deteetivc Sergeant Horwell said Jordan was s-entenced in 1917 by court-martial to nine months' imprisonment for consDiracy. At that, time he was a gunner iii the Boyal Garrison Artillery, and was a clerk or orderly, to the garrison chaplain. In that position he gained access of offices in the building, and was able to get hold of leave passes.

He then went about Woolwich and found young men, mostly of Jewish extraction, who were. in business and had. not been called up. and told them that if they joined hia regiment lie would be able to give them leave passes so that they could go and attend to their business. He received a good deal of money from them, and on that occasion he dragged down with him an officer and several regimental sergeant majors.

He went bankrupt in 1819, the police officer continued, for 2.080, and failed to appear at his public examination. In ,1920 he was. sentenced to nine months' iiiu.risnnnient for conspiring to obtain 3,803 by falbe pretrnces. In. 1923 he wai sentenced to six and two months' 'imprisonment, to run concurrently, for loitering and being in unlawful possession of morphine.

He was released from prisoji in December last. I Incitement to Rob. When Jordan was arrested a young and decently dressed man came up and said, I wish to tell the police all I know now you have Rnt Jordan." The voung man made a statement in writing that he had met Joidan al. the Y.M.C.A. in Waterloo Road when down and out.

The Y.M;C.A. authori-tics had told him Jo go to the police, ai that, lay he hud come out nf prison after sen ing a sentence of three months which he goi through Jordan. When he came to London he was ko hard up tha'. he sold some of his clothes tn Joidau. After spending the moiiy thus ubi allied he saw Jordan again, pud Jordan suggested that hr should go to a Milway station, steal something, and bring it to him.

Ho went to' Waterloo and sU.le a gold" watch and chain, which hn sold to Jordan for ISs. Jordan then suggested that he should go to ictona and steal a suit case. He went there, but wag arrested by a detective. Jrrdati Th3t is hearsay evidence, my lord. Sir Robert Wallace (the chairman): I will only deal with you for what the jury have convicted you of.

The officer in conclusion said that Jordan had been the cause of a good manyyoung thieves being- caught. oir Robert Wallace, in passing sentence, said that Jordan had committed gross perjury, and had been guilty of vry serious offence. DERBYSHIRE BRIDGES. MINISTRY AND THE KOWKLE7 WIDENING. Derbyshire County Council, at.yc-uterday't meeting, approved certain bridge improve, ment schemes.

A tender of 20,381, th had been accepted from Messrs. Lehane and Co. for the construction of new bridge at Baslow, 250 yards lower down the stream than the present etructure. Alderman the Duke of Devonshire, wiios generosity the Committee acknowledged, offered to give the land requited, about 8,620 square yards. The tender of Mr.

G. Tomiinson, of Derby, of 30,862. also the lowest, wa accepted for the erection of a new bridge over the Dove on the Derby -Burton road, to be known as Egginton Bridge, in lieu of the ancient Monk's Bridge, which would uot be interfered with. It is to be constructed in ferro-concrete, $0 feet between the parapets. Sir JSdward Every was willing to aell-the land required at 50 pr acre.

Strong objection had been made by tha Marquis of Granby and the tenant of the Peacock Hotel io the widening of the old bridge at Rowsley. and the Parish CounciJ, airo objecting on the ground.that the beauty of the structure would be spoilt, suggested that a footpath should be placed on one side for tliA ii nf iwfU.fM.n. ti J.UK Annuls of Granby complained that a rsw bridge i. i wiuu tue garaen or me nptel, but he had no objection vo a footbridge being placed on either -side of the Plffnt bndge. The committee booed, how-erer, that after a little further consideration 01 trie tnaf.tAi.

nnA il. i the public generally, ail real objection to S. 7v- wiucujug woma. De lemovea. "Tombnson's tender to cary out the woik tor llZ8'had been provisionally accepted.

A letter from- the Minister of Transport, to nhopa the matter had been-submitted, stated that, while regretting the necessity for 9 grounds of public safety and wuuvjft uau uv Mivriuutve nut jo proceed with the' widening! Thi present OtfflffA Wen nnla. tS parapets, with no aoooramodation- for, foot tsu. zesincuans iub lo. do ITVMUVt (1nnn n9 k. mo vuuiiKimuav -or uu nohope of nudihg a site for and the construction' of a-b'v-Dass 'w'as not n.

-w- yiMiuon mo committee, toe uouncu eonaenv ing, bad decided to put the work in hand: If- the British workers will bear in mind the great responsibility, which lies on their shoulders; will bear in mind that it lies in their power to contribute to the weal or the woe of the workers the world over; that labour struggles are at the present moment struggles of international political significance, and that any errors that they may make will hinder the pacification for which we are working; 1 am sure that tho result will be greatly to the general good. The Conservative press in every country on the continent of Europe is noting with satisfaction the number and the extent of the strikes in Great Britain; we lament it. But we. are sure that the fundamental sound Bense of the British, temperament will quickly gain the upper hand -once more at the present stage. If Great Britain is to work efficaciously for peace, that is for the security and the prosperity of her own and of all other.

peoples, sne must have before all else tranquillity at home. All of us in Europe who are friends of democracy-and of peace have a right to address directly to the British workers and to appeal to then-practical idealism. I hope that this right will not be contested, and I have ventured to speak a word in sincerity, even though it may displease some of mv friends in Great Britain. PREMIER MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

THE MISCHIEF-MONGERS." Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, in an interview with a special representative of "The New Leader," which appears in the current issue of that journal, said On foreign policy I ani still very hopeful, but your leaders must not imagine that I sin the over-optimistic person that some newspapers represent me to be. I cannot promise an immediate and comprehensive Europenn settlement. All I can do is to claim that the conditions for such a settlement are belter than thev have been, and that the advent of a Labour Government has had an enormous influence for good. On the other hand the influence of the 'mischief-monger is still lamentably great.

A recent speech made by Mr. Lloyd George in the House of Commons might have seriously hampered good relations with France. Luckily, France was aware that it was simply a partisan attack upon the Government, and would not be likely to influence our policy one way or the other. An Imposed Settlement Impossible. Asked about Germany Mr.

MacDonald isplied; I have never made any secret of my firm conviction that in any settlement Germany must play the part of a voluntarily co-operating nation. It is folly to imagine tost wo can impose conditions upon other people. We have to bring them along with and establish a determination on both ides to carry out mutual obligations. Our policy hitherto has destroyed the democratic and pacifist sections of Germany. I hould like to persuade my "foreign colleagues to stop all that and give ourselves as well as Germany a chance.

It is terribly alow. Dealing with the subject of armaments the Prime Minister said thcru was no use hutting their eyes to the fact that, if their foreign policy fuile.l. armaments would return. Then there would be a new grouping of Powers in which Russia and Germany would play no inconsiderable role, and finally there would bo a new world war. That, at any rate, was the condition of things which was being created up to the time they took office perhaps not always created consciously, but created as a matter of evolutionary inevitability.

A Warning to Labour. On the question of strikes he said these were inevitable after the cruel way wages had been reduced, but all his life he had been opposed to the "sympathetic" strike. It had no practical value; it was simply beating the air and it had one certain result a bitter and blinding reaction. I know what I am speaking about (he lidded) when I say that aj a result of some recent occurrences the code of law which has protected workers' organisations for generations has been in greater jeopardy than I have ever known. Liberty is far more casilv destroyed bv those who abuse it than by those who oppose it.

LIBERAL UNION AT NORTHAMPTON. MR. McCURpY TO MEET A NEW ASSOCIATION. (From our Correspondent.) Northampton, Wednesday. After negotiations which have been proceeding for several months, the union of two sections of the Liberal party at Northampton will shortly be accomplished.

The National Liberals and Independent Liberals, at separate meetings this week, have passed an identical resolution declaring the time has arrived when both bodies should unite to form a new organisation to ba called the Northampton United Liberal and Radical Association, and members of both bodies will be invited to attend a meet, ing for this purpose. Both sections also decided that Mr. MoCurdy, who was beaten at the general election after representing the borough for fourteen years, should be invited to visit Northampton and address the new organisation. POTTERY WORKER'S DEATH. LEAD POISONED EIGHT YEARS AFTER RETIREAIENT.

A pottery worker named Levi Cotton, of longton, after being stopped at his wort eight years ago, has died from chronic lead poisoning. A verdict to this effect was returned by the North Staffordshire Coroner at the inquest at Stoke-on-Trent yesterday. It was stated that Cotton, who was 54 years of age. had worked in the lead virtually all his life until he was stopped by the Home Office certifying surgeon in 1916. He had not worked since, but had received compensation.

Three doctors who made a post-mortem examination agreed that tfce condition of the heart and kidnevs was wholly typical of lead poisoning. PRINCE OE WALES INVITED TO KENYA. Nairobi, Wednesday. In view of the postponement of the Prince Wales's visit to Sonth Africa Sir Robert Coryndon, the Governor, in response to strong expressions of popular feeling here, has invited the Prince to visit Kenya. Beater.

The qv. George Benton, of Aberystwyth, -itcil the pastorate Sale Congre-' i in succession to the Rev. '3 -s Webster. RESTRICTION OP OVERTIME. (From our Labour Correspondent.) The building trade unions yesterday decided to take a ballot of their members on the employers' offer of a halfpenny an hour increase of wages.

As the original demand was for 2d. an hour, the vote will probably go against the offer, and strike action may be taken. Fourteen days' notice has been given to the employers, and the General Council of the Trade Unions Congress and the Ministry of Labour have been informed. The ballot is not to be taken until after April 23, so there will be time for mediation by outside bodies, and the possible reopening of negotiations. The decision of the unions is explained by the following official statement issued after the meetings last night The Negotiating Committee met in London) this morning, and passed the following resolution for submission to the Executive Councils of the various unions concerned, That we inform the Executive Councils that in the opinion of the Negotiating Committee the terms expressed in the employers' letter of April 15 cannot at the moment be improved by further attempts at negotiations.

We therefore advise that the whole facts be placed before our members, and a ballot vote be taken as to whether they are prepared to support their demands by strike action, and that such notice as required by the constitution of the National Wages and Conditions Council be tendered, to give either parties freedom to act as they may decide- This recommendation was submitted to the meeting (of the Executive Councils of the unions) and carried unanimously. The Negotiating Committee were instructed to draft the ballot paper to be submitted to the members, and it was resolved that. 14 Hav' notice be given to the employers in accordance with the preceding recommendation. The question of- ceasing all overtime except for public health and safety services has also been under consideration, and drastic action in this direction is immediately possible. The question of canying ou the work "of the Government's housing scheme was considered by the Conference, and referred to the Negotiating Committee for the purpose of drafting a resolution thereon.

The possibility of a dispute in the building trade is to be reported immediately to the Trade Unions Congress General Council and the Ministry of Labour. A further meeting will be held to-day to draft the terms of the ballot. As 14 days' notice has been given to the employers, under the clause in the agreement which prescribes this notice before strike action is taken, it would be possible for a strike to begin, at the earliest, on May 1. It may be taken as certain that very great efforts will be made by the Congress and the Government to prevent this happening. TEMPORARY AGREEMENT ON MINERS' WAGES.

ANOTHER SIGN THAT STRIKE IS UNLIKELY. (From our Labour Correspondent.) A joint meeting of the Executives of the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation met in London yesterday to make arrangements for the continuance of work until a new wages agreement is framed after the Court of Inquiry has reported. The agreement of 1921 expires to-day, and the Court of Inquiry does not begin to hear evidenpe until next Thursday. The terms agreed on are another indication that no stoppage of work will come, for they bear Bigns of conciliation on the owners' part, take account of the better terms which the new agreement will give, and suggest that they will be embodied in agreed form by May 14. Although the old agreement has expired its machinery is to bp continued in the meantime, and on May 1 a number of districts (notably the eastern area) will receive increases in waces as a result of the profits made by the industry in January and February.

The official statement of the temporary terms was: 1. Wages to continue as at present -to April 30. 2. Results of ascertainments for January and February apply similarly as from May 1 (the effect of this, it was explained, is that the terms of the existing agreement will govern wages). 3.

The new agreement as to the minimum percentage of profits and the ratio of profits to wages to apply as from Hay. 1 if agreement on those points is reached by May 14. 4 NO LIKELIHOOD OP STRIKE. STATEMENT IN COMMONS. In the House of Commons yesterday, Lord EDNAM (C Homsey) asked the Minister of Labour if any stoppage of work was likely in the coal industry to-morrow in view of the fact that the old scale of wages had expired and no new scale had been fixed.

Mr. SHAW (Minister of Labour) said so far as he knew there was not the slightest likelihood of a stoppage, taking place. The Court of Inquiry, presided over by Lord Buckmaster, would begin its meetings in the near future. He thought there was every prospect not only of avoiding a stoppage but of coming to an understanding which he hoped would bring peace to the mining-industry for a very considerable time 'to come. (Hear, hear.) Mr.TIARDIE (Lab.

Springburn) asked if the terms of reference had not been too much narrowed down. Would the Committee investigate the high retail price of coal and find out who was doing the swindling 1 Mr- SHAW said it was scarcely to be thought that a Minister having set up a Committee -should tell it what it ought to do. That' would abrogate the idea underlying a Committee of Inquiry, tbat-it should consist of men with certain qualifications who would bring judicial minds to "bear on the problem. The terms of reference were sufficiently wide to cover-the circumstances and bring about the desired result. TRAMCAR COLLIDES WITH LORRY.

FIVE PASSENGERS INJURED. Five tramcar passengers were injured and taken to hospital yesterday as the result of a collision in Leith between a tramcar arda. Iorrv. There' was a violent impact which. jammed the.

lorry against an electric wire standard'. JTone rr --neers seriously hurt. LABOUR UNITY. TKADES CONGRESS LOCAL COUNCILS. A CONFERENCE CALLED.

(From our Labour Correspondent.) Some little conflict has been going on in the Labour movement between the Trades Councils, which are local bodies composed of representatives of trade union branches and the Trade Unions Congress. Last year there was formed, largely on Communist inspiration, a Federation of Trades Councils, aiming at securing representation on the Congress, but also at creating a new organisation which should directly represent the rank and file of trade unionists and give driving force to the national trade union movement, now controlled so largely by union officials. The- Fedex-ation has been frowned on by the official Labour movement, but it has had the effect of making the Trade Unions Congress pay more attention to the Trades Councils. The latest step is the summoning by the General Council of the Congress of a conference of Trades Council delegates in London on- jay 7. In convening the conference Mr.

Fred Bramley, the secretary of the Conference, points out to the Trades Councils that their complete detachment from the Trade Unions Congress has in some instances led to misunderstanding, a lack of co-ordination of trade union effort, and, at times, the development of local policies which were in conflict with the decision of the Trade Unions Congress. The conference is called to discuss ways and means of obtaining closer contact and unity of purpose between Congress and the Trades Councils. One of the proposals to be discussed is the formation of a national advisory body, consisting of representatives appointed by the Trades Councils and by the General Council in equal numbers, for the purpose of constituting a link the two bodies. Other proposals are that the local councils should act, through their secretaries, as tho Labour correspondents for the General Council and of distributors of its publications. The General Council is prepared to deal only with Trades Councils, or Trades and Labour Councils, as industrial units and not as political bodies.

As political bodies they are already affiliated to the Labour party. There is as yet no hint that the Congress will be asked to return to the arrangement which lasted from its formation until the nineties by which Trades Councils were affiliated and sent representatives to the Congress. Indeed, the Congress was itself called into being on the initiative of local councils, particularly that of Manchester. Those who are anxious that the Trades Councils should develop into more powerful bodies, are critical of the Congress's latest proposals, which are thought to subordinate the Councils too much. HOME FOR AGED SAILORS ON FIRE.

EXCITING RESCUE WORK. The Royal Alfred Home, Belvedere, Kent, was the'scene yesterday morning' of thrilling rescue work following the "discovery -of a fire. In the home were 88 old merchant sailors and the staff. "About seven o'clock a doorkeeper went, into a room in the basement, used as a clothing store and found that the place was in flames. He gave the alarm, and in a few minutes the old.

sailors, many of them over 75 years of age, were fighting the fire. Colonel Wilkes, the Governor, rushed from his bedroom, and tried to reach his telephone, but was beaten back by the flames. Returning he had to dash through the fire to rescue his wife from 'the bedroom. Eight of the old sailors in one -dormitory were cut off by the fire, bat they were rescued through a window by two sons of the Governor. The elder of these sons escaped from his bedroom bv tying his bedclothes into' a rope and climbing down from the window.

When -he reached the end of the roof he was still fifteen feet from the ground, but was able to get to a water pipe down -which he clambered. When the fire brigade arrived they found that the old sailors had made a successful fight with the fire, and the brigade soon finished: the work. Much of the interior of the fine building was damaged, and a good deal of clothing ia the" store was burned. The -damage is estimated at 2,000. Information was received at Portsmouth yesterday 'from the ship constructors' and shipwrights representative that the Industrial Court awarded the dockyard drillers and 'sailmakers' an advance, of a shilling a week on thi "basis rates of their "wages.

RAILWAY SHOPMEN. COURT OF INQUIRY'S REPORT N.U.R.S PLEA UPHELD. The report of the Court of Inquiry on the Doncaster lailway shopmen's dispute wasj issued last night. It is in the- main a recognition of the contention of the National Union of Railwaymen, whose threatened strikes ou the Great Northern section of the London and North-Eastern Railway compelled the inquiry. The Court endeavours to reassure the craft unions, who objected to the application of the questioned decision No.

728, and by suggesting Maroh 1, 1925, as the date of application, gives time for arrangement between the parties and testing of disputed points by early reference to the Industrial Court. The findings are not binding and will now be considered by the trade unions and the company. The question before the Court was the demand of the N.U.E. ttiat decision No. 723 of the Industrial Court concerning rates of pay and conditions of service in railway shops should be put into operation by the Great Northern section.

The Court consisted of Mr. Holman Gregory, K.C., Mr. R. A. Austen-Leigh, and Mr.

Arthur Shaw. The Court finds that decision No. 728 is in operation on all the railways in Great Britain with the exception of the Great, Northern and Great Central sections of the London and North-Eastern Railway; that of the 130,000 shopmen employed in Great Britain upwards of 110,000 are to-day working under it; and of "39,000 lailway shopmen employed by the London and North-Eastern' Railway 26,000 are working under No exceptional circumstances (says the Court) have been proved or even alleged against the application of the decision to the Great Northern section. It will be to the advantage of the railway company, the trade unions, and the railway shopmen that, tar as possible, the terms and conditions of employment of railway shopmen should be uniform throughout Great Britain. The Court' adds It was also 'established to bur satisfaction that the chief reason for the opposition of the craft unions to the aoDlication of the decision is a genuine and strongly held apprehension shared, in fact, oy an tne iraae unions mat it win ksuu many skilled craftsmen being placed below grade 1 as it was termed before us de-grading with a consequent loss of status and reduction in wages, and, further, that towns may be placed in an unduly low class, which would mean a further reduction of wa-es.

The Court gives its opinion that the Industrial Court never intended nor is it provided that on the adoption of decision No. 728 these things should occur. It therefore concludes that it is advisable that the decision should be adopted on thu Great Northern section. But before its terms and conditions, are applied the railway company and all the trade unions should negotiate and agree upon the necessary details involved in such application, and that 'differences (if any) should be brought to the notice of and decided by the Industrial Court before the date that the terms of the decision actually commence to operate. To provide' a reasonable opportunity for successful negotiation and.

settle ment the date when the operation of deoision Mo. 728 commences should not be earlier than March 1, 1925, and if differences are outstanding- at that date, then the commencement should' be at such time as the Industrial Court shall in its discretion direct. COURT JOKES POOR FUN. A WIT ON HUMOUR. Speaking at Southport Rotary Club luncheon yesterday on Humour," Mr.

Thomas Jay said humour must be good-humoured and good-natured. It must not be humour that left a sting or any sense of remorse or that would bring back anv bad memories. That was why he was always strongly opposed to any humour in the courts of law. He thought it poor humour to make fun and crack jokes at the expense of some poor fellow who could not retaliate. He said be had heard that Mr.

Winston Churchill was going to write book on Constituencies -I have. met but the publishers had refused to consider it because travel books were not in demand. It-Scotland ever goes dry it will go south, he said, and thev would run a special to Manchester called "The Grand Drunk Line." Germany, he further observed, was only prepared to pay the indemnity if England would lend her the money. England was quite prepared to do that if America would send us the gold, but how was America going to eatf When Mr. Lloyd George, was in America he was invited there to.

settle down. The invitation, said Mr. Jay, came from London. The secret of success, so far as he could judge from Lord Beaverbrook's book, was Lord Beavefbrook's ability to keep it a secret. NO GOVERNMENT BILL TO END CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

"The Government has taken no decision whatever on the question of introducing a bill, dealing' with capital punishment," a. Press Association representative was told in a well-informed quarter The subject was of such a highly, controversial nature, it was added, that with the "recent congestion of business in Parliament vch a. bill was not likely to be brought Icrward. Th -recent rprlv nf. fho Ttnmo a deputation was also pointed to as an wdi- SHIPYARD LOCK-OUT SETTLEMENT TERMS ARRANGED.

SOUTHAMPTON MEN TO RESUME WORK. (From our Labour Correspondent.) The shipyard lock-out will probably end next Thursday. The Executives of the Unions have accepted the terms of settlement which the mediators of the Trade Unions Congress General Council obtained from the Southampton strikers on Tuesday. These provide for resumption of work and an early conference with the employers to try to bring the Southampton rates and conditions up to, the London standard." The terms were reported to the employers yesterday. They would pass no opinion on the claim, being only prepared to discuss it when the men have returned to work.

The employers' representatives urged upon the Unions' Executives the desirability of arranging for a resumption by the men at Southampton to-day in order to permit of the lock-out being lifted from firms at ports where Easter holidays are not observed. This would have given the Scottish workers at present locked out five additional days' employment. The Executives promised to make this representation to their Southampton men, but the reply they received was that the Southampton representatives had pledged themselves to have another mass meeting, and that, therefore, they could not arrange for a resumption today. The mass meeting will now be held in Southampton, and it is hoped that arrangements will be made for all the Southampton men to resume work next Wednesday. If this is done the lockout will end the next day.

The Amalgamated Engineering Union was not represented, and other arrangements will have to be made before the lock-out is lifted in respect 'of its members. The joint official statement issued after the conference was: The Federated Trades met this afternoon to consider the report of representatives who had visited Southampton the day previous and met the representatives of the men. Certain proposals were submitted later to a mass meeting, and the mass 'meeting decided by a very large majority, only some 40 being opposed, to resume work updn the proposals. These were submitted to the Executives, who decided to approach the shipbuilding employers with regard to the arrangements" to secure a resumption of work. The Executives' subsequently met- the employers, and "intimated to them that they had concurred with the proposals and desired to have a conference as early as could be arranged after resumption of work hadtaken place.

The employers pointed out that, as already explained on a number of occasions, they had no desire to interfere with the right of the Executives their claim in any form they thought fit, nor could-they in any sense prejudge the claim or pronounce upon it until they had discussed it on its merits with the Executives. They added that they were prepared as soon as a resumption of work was secured to meet in conference in London. The employers have gained their point, which was that the Southampton men must resume work before the lockout is lifted. They have made no promise that the conditions laid down by the strikers will be accepted. The Executives of the shipyard trade unions have had to accept the strikers' terms, and have sfill to settle with them for their refusal to return to work when ordered.

The strikers have really moved the most, for they have agreed to return to work on a promise of negotiation, and have received no actual concession. PHARISEES WITH RED TIES. Mr. Barnsay MacDonald, in an interview in the current "New Leader," refers to the question of levee dress. "I hear and see that some people are interested in these vanities," says the Premier.

"I should have forgotten I had a ceremonial suit if I didn't siet in the press. What a silly havfknown people who toggj bv the clumsiness of their oU- tattered hat and a red tie, tone of voice and religious repetition of Marxian phrases, may bTlstoSive of a man himself to appearances as is the possesion of a ceremonial dress to enable him to attend ceremonies which are historical parts of his duties." CATTLE DISEASE IN BANFFSHIRE. A case of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred at a farm at in the parish of Ganirie. Banffshire. Te hldmg was but re.entlv declared immune following an outbreak early, in the year..