Evening star., 1943-10-28
Lewis Rejects
On Miners
More Than $1,000
Men Idle as WLB
DeodIine Expires
BULLETIN.

feet rejected the War Labor
Boards compromise plan for
settling the coal miners wage
dispute The United Mine
Workers president advised
UNIV presidents by telegram
that he considered the WLB
plan for approving mini
mum $l12l2-a-day earnings
increase in the model Illi-
noiS contract to be the equiva-
lent of a reduction in the basic
wage rate.
BY the Associated Press.
Additional work stoppages to-
day marked the passing of the
War Labor Boards headline"
for ending wildcat strikes in the
soft coal fields.
A survey in widely scattered coal
States indicated more than $1,000
miners were idle. Yesterday, the
number out was estimated at $4,000.
OlllIVb FllllC w vi opChColilCA II
have described the Walkouts, blamed
principally on the continued lack OF
a working contract, as unauthorized,
and in many sections have joined
WLB in urging the men to 60 back
to the pits.
Reports From MinefieldS.
With WLB action looking toward
another Government seizure of
affected workings in the offng. these
reports came in from the fields;
Alabama-Only about $500 of a
total OF $4,000 regular miners at
work in IS mineS-some 200 less than
yesterday.
Illinois-An estimated 1900 idle,
compared with 5000 yesterday.
Kentucky-Three more Harlan
mines employing 430 suspended,
making a total of 8.50G miners out.
Virginia-An estimated 5000 idle,
approximately double yesterdays
figure.
Indiana Unchanged.
Indiana-An unchanged situa ton,
WIN ABOUT b,UOU out.
Ohio-l 200 idle, and Ford Samp-
son. commissioner for the Ohio Coal
Association, said the situation looks
bad"
West Observation-Disclosures $50 went
out, making a total of l8 mines
closed. with $500 idle.
.Pennsylvania-Some ATS failed to
report on last nights shift at work
ings at Sagamore, making the total
| idle 975.
! Related industries were affected.
Blast Furnaces Closed.
| In Alabama, where the current
movement originated. some iron ore
mines were closed because Of an ac-
cumulation resulting from the coal
situation. and some blast furnaces
remained shutdown
A progressive decline in coal pro-
duction was seen as virtually cer-
tain, but Government and labor cir
/ cleS here were optimistic that the
new crisis would pass without an
extended, general shutdown of the
mines.
/ The unstable situation is expected
to prevail at least until the Policy
/ Committee of the UNIV meets on
Monday. UNIV President John L.
Lewis telegraphed a summons to the
committee today without making
any new. open move to send the
idle miners back to work.
! The War Labor Board is expected
| to certify the wildcat strikes to
President Roosevelt late today or to-
morrow presumably as a prelude
to Government seizure of the af-
fected mines. The mechanics of
checking the situation. preparing
! the documents and arranging a visit
to the White House would delay
the actual certification until at least
Sundown.
/ Further Grace Period Seen.
A further grace period and pos
sibly an appeal TO the men by the
President may precede a presidential
order of seizure. Beyond that. the
routine is uncertain Secretary
1ckes has told friends he would not
willingly accept the custodianship Of
/ tSee Coal Paoe A-ool !