Evening star., 1941-11-15
j. N. ". Chiefs
And Steel Heads
Resume Talks
Contract Truce
Expires at Midnight;
Anti-Strike Law Seen
By the Associated Press.

BN lnt hISoC4dltO Press.
Leaders of the United Mine Work.
ers and the steel industry worked
today toward a solution of their
union shop dispute, while the hours
rolled on toward a midnight expira-
ton of the miners contract in steel's
captive coal mines
The two groups conferred, as they
had late yesterday, in the light Of
President Roosevelts declaration
that it was his 'indisputable obliga-
ton to see that the steel mills get
the coal they need TO fill defense Or
ders.
The 2O0-member U. NJ. w. COM
mittee recessed until late today
without action.
John L. Lewis president of the
miners union, said after the policy
meeting that he had reported in
formally to the union delegates from
all coal fields in the country on
Mr.. Roosevelt's request for an agree
ment which will keep production 60
ing
But at mine workers headquarters
1icdUtIIl references were mace 10
contract provisions that on expira-
ton of working agreement miners
have no right to go on company
property. A truce extending the
contract for the captive mines will
expire at midnight tonight unless an
extension should be ordered by the
Policy Committee.
Legislative Showdown.
Benjamin FairlesS OF the United
States Steel Corp. Immediately on
convening of the new conference
with union leaders came from
Wardman Park Hotel room where
the meeting is being held 10 say that
no indication of the progress of ne
gotiations would be given until
luncheon recess.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt
was believed to have discussed with
/ Army officials the possible response
/ bilities of military forces in event
! the Government is compelled to
| take over the mines.
! Summoned to the White House for
/ consultation were Secretary of War
Stimson and Maj. Gen. Robert c.
Richardson commander of the 7th
Corps Area. which covers the steel
and coal regions in Alabama.
Neither Secretary Stimson nor
Gen. Richardson would admit as
they left the White House that they
had discussed the coal strike pos
sibilities. but both likewise avoided
a direct denial.
Whether the negotiations prevent
a threatening strike affecting $4,000
captive mine workers Monday. in
f1uential Democratic members OF
Congress declared that showdown
was imminent on legislation TO pre-
vent stoppages on work essential
to defense.
Those legislators said they would
demand Monday to know when cor
/ rective measures would be consid-
cred in the House. If no commit
ment is forthcoming, one declared,
existing machinery would be set in
motion 10 bring the matter before
the members quickly.
This mornings captive mine con-
l
Lewis agreed to a truce ending at
midnight tonight. when he called off
a three-dav strike in the captive pits
last month to permit the Defense
Mediation Board TO pass on the
| unions demand for union shop.
The board ruled against the union,
9-to-2, and c. I. o. members re-
/ cio oI rI ~,
No Word From Lewis.
There was no word from Mr..
Lewis as to whether the midnight
deadline stood The miners. how
ever, do not work Sundays, so the
real crisis appeared due Monday
morning.
Mr. Roosevelt called the dispu-
tants to a White House conference
yesterday. Releasing a transcript of
part of his remarks to the steel men
and U. M. w. representatives. the
President disclosed he had told them
fatty that to cease producing coal
for the steel mills would create q
further danger to American de-
fense" and that if legislation we're
| required to keep production going,
Congress would be asked for it.
Further, he said, the Government
will not order, nor will Congress
pass legislation ordering, a so-called
closed shop
Urged to Continue.
The President urged the conferees
to continue their negotiations and
try to produce an agreement, or at
least a progress report, by Monday.
They went into another session
later, but reached no conclusions.
On Capitol Hill there were strong
indications that House Democratic
leaders would swing their weight
behind some type of legislation to
meet the crisis in defense produc-
ton. Proponents of such bills re-
lied strongly on statements made by
Speaker Rayburn and Majority
Leader Mccormack of Massachusetts
during debate on Neutrality Act
amendments
After reading letter from Presi-
dent Roosevelt taking a firm stand
on the captive mine controversy, Mr..
Rayburn told the House, Il am ready
(See COAL, Page A-6)