Evening star., 1941-11-22
Coal
Continued From First PAGE }

Continued From First Page
in the captive and commercial
mines wherever situated
Mr.. Lewis told a press conference
emphatically the Policy Committee
would abide by whatever decision
the arbjtrators might reach.
Mr.. Lewis took occasion al the
conference TO denounce William H.
Davis. chairman of the Defense
Mediation Board, which rejected the
union shop demand, 9 TO 2 He ac-
cuSed Mr.. Davis Of sinister IN
trigue' which the labor leader said
was responsible for misleading
the country and confusing public
thought.
The U. NJ w and its membership
are happy to make this contribution
in the public interest Mr.. Lewis
said. With all other citizens. we
regret the unhappy blunder OF Mr..
w. H. Davis and certain others as
soclated with him These stupid
blunders are responsible for throw
ing the country into its recent con-
Vulslons. Let us hope that at last
the mine workers will get judicial
determination of their grievance.
Perhaps one great advantage that
will come 10 labor and the country
out OF this controversy sv Will be the
passing OF Mr.. Davis horse-trading
mediation board"
Mr. Lewis said that with the
mines returning 10 work and the
controversy well on the road to
just settlement the country could
1eel treasured as to its supply OF
coal for national defense ana all
domestic usage"
NO Communist Influence.
The Dushy- browed mine labor
leader. strlding up and down behind
long table and apparently eniov-
Ing the drama OF the situation
hugely, added:
"One OF the gratifying things in
this controversy is that neither the
southern poll-taX statesmen. the
mlne-run politicians nor the editorial
writer's who dipped their pens in
vitrlol have suggested that the cap
tive mine controversy was due to
Communistic influences.
Il attest TO the truth of that
myself and merely in retrospect
suggest that Communist influence
has never influenced the policies
OF the United Mine Workers OF
America
The strike in the captive mines
began last Monday morning after
the breakdown of labor ana man
agement negotiations held here at
request Of President Roosevelt. Most
OF the mines. supplying coal for the
steel industry and important de-
tense production. have been shut
down since that time In addition,
sympathy strikes among other
members Of the U NJ ". have been
staged in commercial mines.
Mr.. Lewis expressed his personal
dlsapproval of binding arbitration in
letter 10 the President last
Wednesday, at that time citing the
difficulty of finding an arbitrator
who would not be prejudiced against
the position OF the mine workers.
Presidents Letter.
Texts of the letters exchanged BY
the President Roosevelt and Mr..
Lewis follow:
Dear Mr.. Lewis:
On November Is I addressed a
letter to the several steel companies
and to the United Mine Workers of
America. parties TO the dispute in
regard TO the captive mines. In
the public interest, l suggested two
possible solutions to that dispute.
Proposal ID, Of that letter was as
follows: Submit this point to arbi-
tration, agreeing in advance to ac-
cept the decision so made for the
period of the national emergency
without prejudice to your rights in
the future
Since that time the steel COM
panies have advised me of their ac-
ceptance of my proposal (bl, and
you have advised me that the mat
ter would be considered by YOUR
National Policy Committee today.
In completion of this arrangement.
/ am appointing today a board of
three members consisting of Dr.
John r. Steelman. as the public rep
resentative, Mr.. Benjamin Fairless.
representative of the steel industry,
and Mr.. John L. Lewis representing
the Mine Workers DR.. Steelman
possesses the qualifications essen
tial to the task of public represent
tatlve and is Of unquestioned in
tegrlty. MeSsrs. Fairless and Lewis
rate as experts in their fields and are
competent to represent their re-
spectlve viewpoints of this contro-
versy. 1 am suggesting that this
board begin its work Immediately
and remain in continuous session
until this task is completed.
May l request an immediate re-
ply and acceptance from your Ma
tional Policy Committee?
Very sincerely yours.
"FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT"
Lewis Answer.
The reply was:
Sir:
The National Policy Committee
OF the United Mine Workers of
America considered today your let
ter OF this date, supplemental TO
your previous letter of November l8.
BY unanimous vote this commit
tee accepts your proposal to refer
the captive mine controversy to a
board, consisting of DR.. John R.
Steelman. representing the public
and MeSSrs. Benjamin F. Fairless
and John L. Lewis, representing the
steel companies and the United
Mine Workers. respectively.
I'm consideration of this arrange
ment. which We accept in the public
interest. the National Policy Com
mittee is recommending an imme-
diate return to work of all mine
workers employed in the captive and
commercial mines. wherever sit
uated.
Respectfully yours.
National Policy Committee,