Evening star., 1943-06-10
Under the contracts, the penalty
money goes to selected charities.
Ickes Warns Miners.

money goes to selected charities.
Ickes Warns Miners.
Mr.. Ickes said that fines again
would be levied if another walkout
takes place before or after the pres
ent truce ends at midnight. June 20
The fines, he said, will be taken
out of the next pay envelopes issued
to the miners, since, he reported
their latest wage payments already
had been made when the walkout
started June l.
Although the UNIV contends no
contract was in force after midnight
May 81. Mr.. Ickes said the fines
would be levied under the terms OF
the contracts because he had de-
clared in taking over the mines for
the Government April l that the
contracts we're being extended in
definitely pending agreement on a
new contract.
Silent on Ceilings.
The Government mine boss re-
fused at press conference to say
whether he would recommend an in
crease in price ceilings which re-
portedly would be called for to put
into effect tentative agreement on
a new contract by Mr.. Lewis and
some Pennsylvania soft coal op-
orators
The agreement, a separate one be-
tween the Central Pennsylvania
Producers Association, employing
$4,000 men, and the UNIV, was re-
ported to call for a boost of 81 80 q
day for underground travel time
Mr.. Lewis originally sought 50.
The miners chief said the pact
was contingent "on necessary ap-
proval of prices permitting the
agreement to be effective" In other
words, the operators consent to lift
wages If they can get more money
per ton. Strict Interpretation of the
Presidents order would bar an in
crease that would be reflected Ia
higher prices. -
Causes More Confusion.
The Central Pennsylvania agree
ment, coming suddenly, tossed more
confusion into the already compli-
Gated wage negotiations which were
described by both the operators and
Mr.. Lewis as "farcical." Each side
accused the other of being too stub
born.
Appalachian operators, except TO,
the Central Pennsylvania group, for
mally reported to the WLB Their
inability to reach an agreement or
the miners underground travel pay
demand and the other unresolved
issues referred back to collective
bargaining by the board on May 25
Mr.. Burke reiterated the position
of the operators that the travel time
is included in existing pay rates, but
said that If the board decided other
wise, the rate fixed for travel time
should not be in excess of the 40
cents-an-hou minimum of the wage
and hour law.
The mine workers." said Mr.
Burke, have been unyielding in
their position that travel time must
be paid for at contract rates for pro-
ductive work. This position is en-
tirely unsupported in law and is op-
posed to reason. Furthermore, it is
the position CT the operators that the
factor of travel has been taken into
consideration in fixing the contract
rate; hence, a separate payment for
travel time would result in double
payment for such time.
THE contract rate for productive
work varies according to the work
performed. 1t is not reasonable that
one worker should be paid for riding
at rate different than the worker
sitting next to him.
Travel Not Work.
Even If the law could be con-
strued to require the time spent ir
this underground travel to be consid.
cred as working time, and even If the
operators were not already payine
for travel time in the present rates
1t could not in any event be reason.
ably contended that it is to be con.
sidered as working at loading coal
track laying, or other physical o,
skilled labor.
The piecemeal pact was affirmed
last night by both Mr.. Lewis anc
Mr.. O'Neill, spokesman for North
ern operators, who in this cast
was acting only for the Centra
Pennsylvania group which operate.
in the Clearf1eld belt.
Mr.. Lewis said he was ready t.
offer the same terms to the othe1
operators, employing 100000 men
The labor chieftain said he believed
they would accept unless there j.
political and financial interference,
with the producers Of coal of larger
tonnage. He didn't explain thi
statement.
Might Be Key to Peace.
The separate agreement is sub.
ject to approval by the War Labo
Board. Mr.. Lewis, who has ignored
the WLB, conceded that the settle
ment was subject to all properl,
authorized Government agencies.
With WLB approval, the pact coult
form basis for general peace IL
the coal fields, disrupted twice b,
walkouts in recent weeks.
Mr.. ONein explained his group
action by saying that the member
found it necessary to make tn
mine workers some kind of an offer.
The industry should have an agree
ment for a stated period Of time IL
order that the mines might be re
turned to their owners, he added
They have been operated by tn
Government, through Interior Sec
retary Ickes since May /. NJ