The Paris Strike The strike of workers in all public
services in Paris ended in 24 hours in face of the firm front shown by M. Chautemps, supported by the Socialist deputies. A number of varied causes for the strike may be found, especially the Paris Municipality's refusal to grant its workers more than half the wage increases granted to State employees on account of the rise in the cost of living, and the use of Army lorries to lessen the effect of the strike in the provision stores before Christmas. But it has wider implications. Both employers and trades union leaders have tried to make capital out of the new wave of strikes ; the employers have claimed the right to dismiss large numbers of workers, especially those who engage in strike activity, while the trade unions have tried to obtain increased control over the dismissal and enlistment of employees. In addition there are signs that the strike weapon is being used for political purposes, to end the " pause " in the Front Populaire pro- gramme, and to fight M. Bonnet's financial policies. No doubt the workers have been encouraged by the Government's refusal to break the strike in the Goodrich tyre factory by force. The strike is condemned by M. Blum's paper, the Socialist Populaire ; and it may be due in part to the absence in Spain of M. Jouhaux, general secretary of the C.T.G. who on previous occasions has exercised a moderating influ- ence. It is suggested that extremist influences may have obtained the upper hand among the Paris working class, and especially the Syndicalists, for whom the strike weapon has an almost religious significance.
