Evening star., 1939-05-19

eiqht-Ueek deadlock oDer ne,O
labor agreement
By the Associated Press.
HARLAN, KY, May 19.-Optimistic
Federal and State conciliators today
began conferences seeking settle
ment of differences between the
Harlan County Coal Operators As
sociation and United Mine Workers
&C. 1. o. in an atmosphere of ten
sion following gunflre and dyna-
miting.
The association represents AZ
mines and is the only large opera
ting group in the soft coal fields
holding out against the union shop
contract of the U. M. w.
Late last night the Lynch mines
of the United States Coal & Coke
Co, subsidiary of United States Steel
Corp, became the first Harlan
County operator to sign a union
contract. These mines are not men,
berS of the county association.
General Manager T. J. MCFARLAND
of the coke corporation said the con-
tract signed for two years did not
contain the union shop" clause.
At Pittsburgh, where the first of
these contracts were signed by the
Pennsylvania subsidiary Of U. S.
Steel, P. T. (PaD Pagan, district 5,
U. M. w. head, said the captive
mine agreements were being renewed
on orders from John L. Lewis, c. /.
o. chief, because they did not con-
tain the penalty clause fining miners
for an unauthorized strike
Largest Unit in County.
A captive" mine is one that
supplies fuel exclusively to plants of
the owner manufacturer.
The Lynch Corp. operates the
largest unit in the county, employing
normally about 5000 men. They are
to return to the pits by May %.
Arriving here with State Con-
ciliator Emmett Durrett after a con-
ference in Frankfort with Gov. A. B.
Chandler and Industrial Relations
Commissioner w. G. BurroW. United
States Labor Department Mediator
John L. Conner told newsmen:
I'VE have every hope of settling
the deadlock.
Mr.. Conner said he would try to
arrange conferences with operator
and union groups preliminary to
possible joint conferences.
Gen. Carter said at a press con-
ference 28 of the AZ mines in Harlan
County were operating. He said oc-
caslonal rifle shots were heard last
night in the vicinity of Brookside
and kits, but that the militia did
not return the fire. No casualties
were reported.
Two truck drivers were arrested
early today for what the general
termed was violation of the motor
vehicle act" He said the trucks
were loaded with men. Gen. Carter
had ordered transportation of large
groups in trucks to cease in the
county. Another man also was ar
rested on a disorderly conduct
charge, the general said, because he
"lnterfered" with an officer who
stopped the trucks.
Trouble at Mine.
DetachmentS of a flying squad
rom were dispatched to mining
camps at insult and Three Point last
night, Gen. Garter said, to disperse
pickets.
Work at the Harlan Central Goa.
Co. at Totz was delayed for several
hours until an air circulating fan
damaged last night by dynamite
was replaced
j. T. Bradley, Office manager for
the Pioneer Coal Co., 8 miles north
OF Plnevllle, in adjoining Bel
County, reported miners declined
to go to work there after the com
pany signed a contract, including
the union shop" clause, with the U
M. w. yesterday.
He said, although no formal pro-
test had been received by the COM
pany from the union, he understood
the miners were disgruntled because
work preference was given to en-
ployes living in the company camp
Attorney General Murphy revealed
at Washington that four Fedora
Bureau of Investigation men, two OF
whom represent the criminal divi-
sion OF the Justice Department
new civil liberties unit, are in Harlan
and keeping the department in
formed.
Case May Be Retired.
Mr.. Murphy said it was "uuite
likely" the Harlan County civi
liberties case would be retired
After an 11-Week trial at London
KY, last year of a number of mine
operators, coal corporations and for
mer sheriff's deputies charged with
violating an old statute forbidding
conspiracy to deprive a person OF
civil liberties, the jury deadlocked
and a miStrial resulted.
Retrial of these cases, which have
remained on the Federal Court cal
endar, is set for June /. After the
jury disagreement most OF the oper-
ators in the Harlan field signed con.
tracts with the U. M. W., and labor
troubles quieted
The first serious disturbances
during the present strife came yes
terday when Brig. Gen. Ellerbe Car.
ter, commander of National Guard
reported group had fired from am
bush on miners going to work anc
soldiers at Highsplint No. 2 Mine, l.
miles from Harlan, returned the fire
None was hurt.
10000 to Go Back to Pits.
PITTSBURGH, May 19 (P).-A
move by United Mine Workers to re-
new contracts with steel company
owned captive" mine concerns
,,ouod tho NOV foIoy Fo,, ,a+,,x. 4