Evening star., 1943-01-19
Coal Workers
Given AZ Hours
To End WaIkout
Army Action Indicated
Unless Strike Ends;
5, 900 Return TO Jobs

President Roosevelt today di-
rected striking anthracite coal
miners in Pennsylvania to return
to work at once and warned that
the Government will take nee
essary steps" to protect the Ma
ton against injury to the war
effort unless the walkout Is
ended within 48 hours.
The Presidents directive. carving
the implication that the Army will
be ordered to take over operation of
the strike bound mines If the work.
ers fail to return to their jobs by
the 48-hour deadline, was tele-
graphed to John L. Lewis, United
Mine Workers president, and 80
officers of UNIV locals involved in
the walkout.
Mr.. Roosevelt's action followed
submission of the case to him yes
terday by the War Labor Board.
Approximately 5000 striking
miners returned to WORK earlier to-
day in the largest back -to-work
movement since the wildcat walkout
began 20 days ago.
However, more than II 900 insurg-
ents containued the work stoppage.
These included 1000 employees OF
the No. 7 colliery of the Susque-
hanna Galleries Co, some of whom
voted on the back to-work ques-
ton after the Presidents order was
announced
Three other large collieries, en-
ploying total of 3,70O men. also
are balloting on the question today
and tonight.
National UNIV officials have en-
phasized the strike is unauthorized.
Presidents Telegram.
The text of Mr.. Roosevelts tele-
gram follows:
On Friday, January Is, 1943, the
National War Labor Board issued a
directive order calling upon all
miners on strike in the anthracite
coal field to return to work imme-
diately. have been informed that
several thousand miners refused to
obey the order of the War Labor
Board and are still out on strike.
| In the interest of the war effort,
! all directive orders of the National
War Labor Board must be complied
with by all employers and all en-
| ployes.
Therefore, as commander in
chief of the armed forces, I direct
all miners in the anthracite coal
! fields who are now out on strike to
return at once to their job of pro-
ducing vitally needed coal for their
country. If this order is not COM
piled with in 48 hours, your Govern
ment will take the necessary steps
to protect the security of the Nation
against strike which is doing seri-
Gus injury to the war effort"
In previous disputes, involving
labor and management, the armed
forces have taken over and SUPER
vised continued production.
25 Locals Involved.
The strike has involved members
of some 25 locals. They have been
| demanding 81 day increase and
cancellation of 50-cent a month
increase in union dues from 81.
Informed of the Presidents ac-
tion, William Salinsky, president of
the Woodward local of the Glen
Alden Coal Co, one of the largest
involved in the strike, said at Ed
wardsville, Pa, that he would sub
nit the order to his men as soon
as Mr.. Roosevelt's telegram was re-
| cieved
Another union official, who asked
that his name not be used, declared
| that The men won't work under
the Army and they won't work un-
/ der John l.. Lewis
But" he added, they are willing
for the Government to take over
! the management of the mines for
the duration. They feel that if the
Government does that and thor
oughly investigates conditions in the
mines, they will get a square deal.