Evening star., 1939-05-11
Coal
Continued From Fifst Page }

seeking to reach a new agreement
for the Appalachian area adjourned
at 80 am. today after the U. M. w.
had rejected a last-minute compro-
mise offer by the operators The
operators offer did not provide the
union" shop demanded by the
miners.
DR.. Steelman, who said the Presi-
dent had kept in touch with the
conference by telephone throughout
the night, issued a statement declar-
ing:
after many conferences with both
sides, jointly and separately, we are
convinced that formula (for a
blanket contract cannot be
found at this time.
Under the circumstances, it be-
comes our duty at this hour to make
a recommendation for the purpose
of opening as many mines as posi-
BILE so that the consuming public
will not be inconvenienced nor in
dustry hampered
Contract Signing Urged.
Therefore, speaking as Govern
ment representatives, we are asking
that such companies and associa-
tions as are in agreement with the
United Mine Workers of America
sign contracts and begin operations
Immediately, in order to relieve the
grave crisis facing the Nation"
DR.. Steelman said the Govern
ment had evidence that leads us
to believe that there is a large
enough proportion of the operators
in agreement to relieve the crisis"
Thirty per cent of the country's
bituminous coal is produced in the
16 States outlying the eight-State
Appalachian region.
The c. I. o. chieftain said no in
dividual contracts would be sought
with Appalachian operators pending
the outcome of the meeting this
afternoon.
Lewis More Hopeful.
Mr.. Lewis appeared more hopeful
OF such a settlement than at any
time since the daily conferences be-
gan last March a. Spokesman for
the operators declined comment.
The compromise proposal made by
the operators through their spokes-
man, R. I. Ireland of Cleveland,
provided for immediate resumption
OF work under terms of the old pact.
1t also called for recognition of
the U. M. w. as exclusive collective
bargaining agent and recommended ::
That negotiations continue for
the purpose of finding some formula
agreeable to both parties which will
preserve the integrity of the agree
ment and of the jurisdiction of the
United Mine Workers of America
from attacks made under the pro-
visions of the National Labor Re-
lations Act. the parties agreeing
that they will if necessary jointly
support emergency legislation de-
signed to accomplish this purpose" "
The Government was spurred in
It's attempt to mediate the dispute
by increasing reports of a fuel
famine. Subway service has been
curtailed for several days in New
York City to conserve diminishing
coal reserves and railroads through
out the East have begun to curtail
schedules.
The shortage in New York City
led Chairman Milo Maltbie of the
State Public Service Commission to
direct two of the largest utilities
serving the 100000 residents of
the metropolitan area-the Consoli-
dated and Staten Island Edison COM
panies-to submit to the commission
tomorrow plans for possible curtail-
ment of service.
The telegram sent out by Mr.. Lewis
to the district leaders said:
eve have agreed with the request
OF Government to sign Immediately
union shop contracts with coal op-
orators outlying the Appalachian
area. Upon receipt of this wire you
are directed to propose to your op-
orators an extension for two years
Of the old wage agreement which ex-