Evening star., 1933-09-05
COAL NEGOTIATIONS
CONCERN JOHNSON
Administration Apparently Is
Depending on Public Opin-
ion to Bring Ford In.
By the Associated Press.


Public opinion today apparently was
the first chosen jury of President Roose-
velts Recovery Administration for de-
Gliding the case of Henry Fords con-
spicuous absence from N. R. A. men,
bership.
AS the rest of the big automobile
industry began its first official work day
under the Blue Eagle, N. r. A. leaders
evidenced every intention-for the pres
ent at least-of letting nature take its
course with Ford-the industrial cam
paign'S first major holdout.
What the future might bring If the
Detroit manufacturer continues indef1-
nitely to operate without the Blue Eagle
was uncertain. But the administration
was represented as determined that no
important employers should reject the
recovery program. The final decision
was President Roosevelt's with his
powers to license manufacturers and
the President was returning to his Office
today.
Coal Code Taken Up.
Other problems pressed equally for
solution after Labor days week end
of speechmaking. Hugh S. johnson,
N. R. A chieftain, gave his attention
to the difficult soft coal negotiations,
seeking a final agreement for President
Roosevelt's signature.
The coal operators and leaders of the
United Mine Workers of America today
renewed efforts to write labor contracts
for the commercial mines in that area.
Almost every train and plane from
the West this morning brought opera
tors to the Capital. Almost all of the
several hundred producers who have
been attending the prolonged confer
enceS here went home for the holidays.
Johnson prepared attempts to iron
out the differences which have arisen
over the operators proposal to include
an open-shop clause in labor contracts
and the miners demand for provision
for deduction of union dues from min
ers' pay.
Neither side has given any indication
OF being ready to recede. Both watched
the White House for possible action by
President Roosevelt, who has shown
keen interest in the negotiations.
Wants Contracts Signed.
johnson wants the union contracts
signed before he renews work on the
code, believing the cruX of the entire
code problem would be solved in bring
ing the mine workers and Appalachian
operators together.
OF more underlying significance, how
ever, was JohnSon'S immediate task OF
perfecting his NJ R. A. enforcement or
ganization and of measuring the extent
of new purchasing power created by the
Governments manifold recovery efforts.
To help boost consumption, johnson
promised in Chicago yesterday to launch
around September 20, vigorous cam
paign to promote buying. He warned
that N. r. AS program must lift the
cost of doing business and therefore
the cost of goods, adding that the
slightest move toward imitation might
send prices skyrocketing overnight"
1t was by the yardstick OF buying
power that Johnson expected to gauge
within the next few weeks whether the
country was definitely headed upward
economically, or whether even more
vigorous steps were needed.
Enforcement Paramount.
With the main push Of rounding up
business under the Blue Eagle over
enforcement became paramount.
Discipline for "chiselerS" who fly the
Eagle, but dodge doing their part IN
re-employment, was the objective. john
son planned to single out conspicuous
cases and give them hearing and
chance to conform before taking away
the Eagle.
Almost certain to receive the early
consideration of President Roosevelt
was the tug-of-war between employers
and organized labor over unionization.
The American Federation of Labor Is
fighting repetition Of the automobile
code provision permitting employers to
hire and fire on merit while numerous
other industries are demanding the
same language.