Some incidents in the breakdown of the strike have been
not a little curious. For example, the miners in the Cannock Chase coalfield cast a heavy vote at the beginning of the week against returning to work, and then, at a meeting. at which some 10,000 men were present, with the exception of twenty decided to resume work at once. While, then, we think all the indications point to peace being now secured, we must expect a certain number of hitches, and it is possible also that there may be outbreaks of disorder in special places. Large bodies of men, especially if they have been idling for two or three weeks, easily get out of hand. At one time it was thought there was danger of the strike being renewed by the surface- men, but apparently the difficulties here will not be allowed to prevent that peace which all concerned have come to desire so ardently. It is difficult to say how soon the factories which stopped work because they could get no coal will be able to resume, but in all probability coal will soon be supplied to them. As soon as it is absolutely certain that the strike is over, and will not break out again, all sorts of people who have been prudently holding up coal will realize that they had better sell it as soon as possible and take their profit Thus in many cases users of coal will be able to start work with the old coal which is still unused and in store.
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