The Miners' Federation of Great Britain published last Saturday an
official appeal to miners to increase the coal output by avoiding absence from work. The destruction of French mines and the expansion of the American Army in France were two new claims upon a coal output reduced by recruiting for the Army. A real dearth of coal would mean serious hardships for the householder, and the poor might suffer most. Even if coalowners and middlemen were "profiteering," that was no reason for miners failing to maintain their output. The Federation would do everything in its power to increase the output, and urged every miner to work every day on which the colliery is open for work, if health and circumstances permit. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at Newport (Mon.) on the same day, seconded Mr. Smillie's patriotic appeal by asking all concerned in the industry to do their best to get more coal to France and Italy. Coal meant for them not only warmth but the power of defence against a brutal enemy. "Sling coal at them ; hurl it in wagonloads." The miners were working for the emancipation of mankind. "Let them redouble their blows, and we shall win."
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