Evening star., 1943-06-23

worth about Is cents day to each
miner-were ordered in effect by Mr.
Ickes about 10 days ago in accord
ance with the WLB's May Is find-
ings.
Questions on whether Government
operation of the mines would be ex-
tended beyond the custodian" re-
lationship now in effect were met
with the reply, mo comment"
Plans to set up an organization
to run the mines for long period
possibly for the duration of the war
have been under consideration for
several weeks, the Secretary's Office
has acknowledged, but this has been
considered only to the extent that
the coal administration has under
taken to prepare for anything that
may become necessary.
Mr.. Ickes would say only this. the
mine workers understand that my
job is solely to produce the coal nee
essary for war purposes and to heat
Americas homes this winter. To do
this will require the utmost cooper
alton OF the mine workers and of the
entire coal industry. I feel sure that
this cooperation will be given"
A further indication that the
fight was far from ended was seen
Nin the comment of Representative
Wadsworth, Republican, of New
York, co-author Of the selective
service law, This is just another
postponement OF settlement of the
fundamental issue: is the Govern
ment as representative Of the whole
/ people in time of war superior to
John L. Lewis? The issue had bet
ter be settled, and the sooner the
better.
Il have no doubt it is Lewis OBJ
in the hands of the Government
just as long as he can compel it to
stay there, out of the hands OF the
owners
1T is an enormously important
precedent and if maintained the
same tactics may be pursued with
out end. in any number of indus
tries, and the owners will be help
less. It's another way of socializing
important industries without legis-
! lation."
Reporters Summoned.
Mr., Lewis and several lieutensnts
conferred with Mr.. Ickes and his
staff Monday and Yesterday, then
the UNIV chief called his Policy
Committee into session last night.
Less than an hour after the meeting
began. reporters were summoned to
the smoke choked basement hall of
the Miners Building. Committee
members stayed in their seats while
the newsmen crowded around the
chairman's platform where Mr..
Lewis stood in his shirtsleeves.
Copies of the Policy Committees
instructions to the miners were dis
tributed The graying chief of the
miners, who frequently joshes with
reporters even when tension is great
est, was stern.
The press conference was brief
Mr.. Lewis referred most questions to
the committee statement. He added
only three sentences for publication:
The action taken tonight is based
on the policy adopted on Sunday by
this committee. The mine workers
are going to work for their Govern
ment and not for the coal opera tors.
They do so in the utmost good faith
in the hope that their Government
will treat them with the same good
faith"
The Policy Committee instructions
sent to the miners follows:
The membership of the United
Mine Workers of America is hereby
instructed to return to work and
resume the production of coal under
the direction of the Honorable Harold
L. Ickes, custodian of mines for the
United States Government, until
midnight Sunday. October 81, 1943
Conditional Arrangement.
This arrangement is predicated
upon operation of the mines and
their collateral production units by
the United States Government and
will automatically terminate If gov
ernmental control is vacated prior
! to the above mentioned date.
The custodian of mines has as
sured that the minimum wages and
conditions prevailing as of this date
will be continued.
The executive officers of the
international union are hereby ex-
pressly authorized to exercise their
discretion in the filing of suits at
law, or by any other necessary
means, to protect the equity of the
membership in the matter Of portal
to-portal compensation, both as to
current and deferred liability.
"As affecting the anthracite men,
bership of districts, /, 7 and 9, it is
recognized that this arrangement is
subject to any agreement that may
ensue as a result of current wage
negotiations.
Hard Coal Woqe PorIey