THE MIDDLE CLASSES AND THE COAL STRIKE. I To 2.111
EDITOR 0/ TEN esyserrres.ei Srn,—Allow me to request the advocacy of your columns in the present national crisis for the middle classes, who are forced to suffer in a dispute with which they have no con- nexion. Tens of thousands of middle-class families, already overburdened with national and local taxation, are being forced to pay famine prices for coal. Those prices in London and the south of England generally range at present from 35s. to 40s, a ton. Coal blocks, which have lately been very useful in eking out supplies, have gone up in price from 9d. to ls. 6d. a dozen, an increase of 100 per cent.
Worse things are in store. The supplies of coal above ground are rapidly becoming depleted, and I am informed that within ten days from now the retail rates will be nearer £3 than £2 per ton. These prices represent a heavy weekly tax on middle-class incomes, and as these incomes— ranging from about £100 a year upwards—are not expansible, it follows that the household budget must be cut down in other directions to pay this tax.
Yet all this time the parties to the present dispute and the Government and their supporters in the House of Commons behave as if the middle-class consumers were entirely without rights or interests calling for consideration. The situation can only be described as an outrage on the middle classes. I am glad to say, however, that these classes are not taking it " lying down." There is now a real revolt of the middle classes against the tyranny of the Socialist-Labour element, and if any of your readers will communicate with me I will gladly show them how they can help at once to defend the in- terests of their class.—I am, Sir, &o., ISAAC LYONS, General Secretary, Centre Party Union, 14 Great Smith Street, Westminster, S.W.
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