Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-04-28

panel today, despite Mr. Lewis de-
mand that they return to New York
and negotiate further. WLB Vice
Chairman George w. Taylor said
certification of the case to the
board indicated mediation had
failed, but that panel hearings
sometimes reopen the door for ne
gotiations. The panel is headed by
Morris Llewellyn Cooke, Philadel-
phia engineer. The employer rep
resentative is Walter White of the
Department of Commences Business
Advisory Council. After Mr.. Lewis
declined to name a labor member,
the board chose David B. Robertson,
president of the Brotherhood of Lo-
connective Firemen and Enginemen,
an independent union.
In its letter to Labor Secretary
Perkins, the UNIV Policy Commit
tee charged that steel and coal in
terests ARE in constant communi-
cation with certain political figures
in Washington. and from them re-
ceive encouragement to deny the
coal miners of the country an in
crease in wages" 1t asserted that
the WLB yields the headsman's
ak against the workers of the
country" and that 1T has preached
it's agreement with labor when it
publicly substituted political expe-
diency for equity in the settlement
of disputes"
Charge Steel Dominance.
The text. of the letter follows
Madam: The Policy Committee
of the United Mine Workers Of
America presumes to address you.
This committee was created and
accredited by a constitutional dele
gate convention of this organiza-
ton. 1t addresses you as the agent
of Government, created by the
Congress. to whom labor may petit
ton for redress of its wrongs.
I'VE beg to inform you that the
wage agreements in the coal indus
try are expiring by breach of the
operators and by limitation. Since
March 10. operators conferees have
continuously rejected in toto all
proposals made by the mine work
ers' representatives Likewise. they
have made no counter proposals.
The Government proposal for
guaranteed employment was ac-
cepted by the mine workers but re-
jected by the operators. The Gov
eminent proposal contains an equity
of $225 per day for the mine work
ers The mine workers offered to
accept this equity under a formula
which would relieve the operators
from the full employment guar
antee
The operators rejected this offer.
We have advised on prior occasions
that the commercial operators rep
resented in the wage conferences
were dominated by coal tonnage
controlled by the United States Steel
Corp. and other associated steel
interests.
Under the unit vote rule of the
conference these companies veto
any constructive. affirmative action.
These steel companies are among
the latest of the Nations cost plus
war hogs.
1--WE believe that these steel and
coal interests are in constant COM
munication with certain political
figures in Washington and from
them receive encouragement to deny
the coal miners of the country an
increase in wages.
1T has been evident during the
weeks of negotiation that the mine
workers were being preSsured to
accept political settlement of their
claims rather than a settlement
based upon the needs of the mine
workers families and the equities in
the case. Referral to the so-called
labor board is tragic mistake.
This board yields the headsmans
ak against the workers of the coun-
try. 1t has fallen to a low estate.
1t has preached its agreement with
labor when it publicly substituted
political expediency for equity in
the settlement of disputes. The
board is malignant in its prejudice
against the United Mine Workers
of America and its members. The
board has already rendered a deci-
sion in the mine workers case. It's
chief headsman so announced again
on Saturday, April "a, when he said
that the board would follow its
ritualistic limitations in deciding
the mine workers case.
n>f>~I Do&.;n4s.ss.
The Policy Committee AYERS that
the mine workers are hungry as
we'll as patriotic. Their patriotism
needs no defense. Their sons are
in the Army and the Navy and their
daughters are in the auxiliary war
services. They have skimped to the
bone to do their part in the financ-
ing of the war and they resent
deeply the Ill treatment which is
being accorded them. They are ask
ing for bread and are being con-
temptuously treated as pawns by
designing politicos.
This committee sustains and APP
proves the action and position taken
by its negotiating representatives
and the executive officers of the
union. The committee emphasizes
the fact that these representatives
are without authority to make any
agreement under any circumstances
in conformity with the policies of
this union or the instructions of
this committee. We assert that the
ukase Of a discredited political
agency is no substitute for free col
lective bargaining. Resort to meAi-
eval forms OF labor oppression is
form Of folly which the Nation can
Ill afford.
THE policy committee suggests
that Government authority should