Evening star., 1943-04-13
Wage-Freezing Order
Becomes Storm Center
OF Coal Mine Dispute
Operators Renew Demand
For WLB Intervention;
Burke Rups SteeImun
By the Associated Press.


NEW YORK, April 13-Southern
soft-coal operators-asserting none
of the United Mine Workers wage
demands can be met without violat-
ing President Roosevelts wage
freezing order-have asked the
President to certify the bituminous
wage case to the War Labor Board
without delay.
This action yesterday by the
Southern operators marked their
second effort within week to OBJ
tain WLB Intervention, their pre-
vious request having been addressed
to William H. Davis, board chair
man.
Contract negotiations between the
UNIV and the soft-coal operators of
both the Northern and Southern
Appalachian areas resume today
following a weekend recess.
The wage-freezing order also ap-
peared to be major factor in the
anthracite contract discussions.
j. S. Warriner, president of the
Lehigh Navigation & Coal Co. and
operator spokesman, and Thomas
Kennedy, UNIV secretary-treasurer,
in statements made last week re-
vealed that the conferees had CEN
tered their discussions on the un-
ions 2l-point contract demands.
1t was indicated that detailed
study on the UNIV position would
be made today.
Complain Against Steelman.
Former Senator Edward R. Burke
of Nebraska, president of the South
ern Coal Producers Association,
made public telegram sent to the
President by the Southern operators
who complained that DR.. John r.
Steelman, head of the United States
Cancellation Service, had persisted
in an effort to secure wage increases
for the 100000 soft coal miners
despite the Presidents hold the
line" order
The Southern operators telegram
said there should be no request or
demand by any one for a further
extension subject to retroactive liza
bility." The telegram recalled that
the operators yielded to your re-
quest to extend existing agree
| ments."
This occurred before expiration of
the current contract on March 81,
and the extension was for 30 days
with the proviso that any agreement
reached would be retroactive to
April l.
Basis of Productive Work.
Referring to the unions demand
for portal-to-portal payment, the
telegram said
Hourly and tonnage rates of pay
in bltuminous coal mines have al
days been computed on the basis OF
the productive work performed with
full consideration to a higher leve.
to rates in order to compensate fol
the time spent in getting to the work
place. the telegram continued.
When the hours of productive
work were reduced from eight to
seven, the full eight hours pay con-
tinued to be paid for the seven hours
productive work plus travel time
What is now suggested amounts to
pyramiding pay for this non -produe-
tice time.
"If it were determined to abandon
the long established practical meth
cd of computing pay for the time ac-
tually worked, with an allowance ir
the form of higher wage scale be-
cause of travel time, there would Of
necessity be readjustment of the
entire wage structure.
"OtherWise there would be a cleal
wage increase, which you have for.
hidden. We recognize that the Ma
tional War Labor Board and the
stabilization director have the fina
responsibility of determining what
constitutes wage increase, anc
whether such demand should be ap-
proved or denied"
Mr.. Burke assured the President
the operators would hold our part
of the line as directed by you against
any attempted break through by the
forces of imitation"