Evening star., 1943-05-01
Roosevelt to Place
Issue Before Nation
By Radio Tomorrow
BY J. A. FOX.


President Roosevelt today Or
dered immediate seizure and
operation of all strike bound coal
mines by the Secretary of In
terror, and authorized the Sec
retary of War to provide pro-
lection" incident to Federal
operation.
Mr. Roosevelt in a statement
called on striking miners to "re-
turn Immediately to the mines and
work for their Government" The
summons was directed primarily at
the 503,700 men who have walked
out.
Mr.. Roosevelt also announced he
proposed to talk over the radio to
the miners of the Nation at 10
pm. tomorrow, thus amplifying an
earlier statement by White House
Secretary Stephen T. Early that the
President was going to take the
mine issue to the country.
In an executive order, Secretary
OF the Interior Ickes was directed to
take immediate possession, so far
as may be necessary or desirable, of
any and all mines in which a strike
or stoppage has occurred or is
threatened" and to carry out the
order and safeguard workers and
property.
The Presidents order was issued
shortly. after the 10 am. deadline he
had set for the cessation of the tieup
found his ultimatum to John L.
Lewis, UNIV head, flouted.
Shortly after the order was issued,
an Associated Press dispatch telling
Of it and note asking for comment
was delivered to Mr. Lewis at the
closed Anthracite Conference in New
York He crumpled it up and de-
clared, shortly, Il won't say any
thing"
The anthracite conference then
was adjourned abruptly until pm
1t had started at 1926 am.
Flanked by two associates, Mr.,
Lewis left the anthracite conference
at the Waldorf Astoria Immediately
after he was informed of the seizure
order. He walked down Park ave-
nue., accompanied by reporters and
entered the Roosevelt Hotel where
he went to the barber shop. During
the walk of some five blocks he
maintained stony silence.
Except in few mines. the pro-
duction of coal has virtually ceased
The national interest is in grave
peril" Mr.. Roosevelt said in a state
ment explaining his action. He
again called on the miners to return
to work and urged again that the
wage dispute that undeylies the
walkout be submitted to the War
Labor Board.
The production of coal must and
shall continue" the President said
Wide Power Given Ickes.
In authorizing Government oper-
alton of coal mines. the President
followed the lines indicated in a
message to Mr.. Lewis Thursday
when he said that If the strike was
not settled the full powers of the
presidency would be invoked to keep
the mines open in the interests of
the war effort.
The order, directing the Secretary
of Interior to take over the mines
followed an order of April % desig-
mating Mr.. Ickes as administrator
for solid fuels and authorizing him
to formulate policies for the pro-
duction and distribution of coal
The Secretary is instructed in to-
days order to take over physical
properties and assets, provide for
operation as he sees fit, and states
that he may terminate possession
and operation whenever it is de-
cided that governmental action nc
longer is needed.
The order further stated that pro-
lection should be furnished for all
employees desiring to remain at the
mines which have been strikebound
and for other persons who may seek
employment there.
Could Seize Coalyards.
Upon the request of the Secre-
tary of the Interior" the order said
"the Secretary of War small take
such action. If any. as he may
deem necessary or desirable to pro-
vide protection to all such persons
and mines"
Mr.. Ickes was empowered to issue
necessary policy and operating di-
receives" to the soliG fuels industries
ito assure for the prosecution Of the
war the conservation and most ef-
(See COAL Page A-11D