Evening star., 1943-11-01


The committee. summoned by
President John L. Lewis. was to
have assembled at II o'clock this
morning but late arrivals forced a
postponement until 3 O'Clock this
afternoon
Highlights Of Situation.
Concurrently, reports compiled
by the Associated Press presented
this picture
West Virglnla-The shutdown OF
the states 600 mines was apparently
complete, with about 10000 idle.
There was no demonstration and a
coal local Official said the men we're
sitting tight and awaiting the re-
port from the policy committee"
Observation-Disclosures from
both union and operator sources
showed virtually full shutdown IN
Western Pennsylvania soft coal
fields. employing 10000 III 1920
mines. AL captive mines Of the
United States Steel and Jones &
Laughlln steel corporations we're
closed. Union sources said hospital
and other emergency needs would be
taken care Of.
Alabama A survey bv operators
indicated ro Alabama mine was
working. Some $4,000 are normally
employed
: Ohio Mines Shut Down.
Ohio-All mines closed and $1,000
idle.
Indiana-Operatlons virtually at
standStll and nearly 1000 idle.
illlnois-Early estimates indicated
all Of States 25 900 United Mine
Workers were out. and that those
quitting had been ioined by approxi-
maJelV 1000 of the States $4,000
Progressive Mine Workers CAFL,.
Missouri and KaNvaS-These two
States, covering District IA. reported
nearly all OF the area 1000 workers
out
Tennessee-Nearly complete shut
down, involving 5000 workers.
1QWa-An operators association
spokesman said a field check indi-
Gated all workings, employing 5000,
were out
Kentucky-At least 3l.700 of Ken
tucky'S 81, 900 miners were idle. clos
ing more than half of the States
264 soft coal mines having rail con-
nectIons. Some 5000 Progressive
Mine Workers and non-union men
were reported on the Job.
Nlrglnla-Only SIX mines employ
ing S3O0 were reported working in
the two Virginia fields. Apparently
about 1900 men were idle.
Last midnight marked the dead
line beyond which President Lewis
had said the miners would not work
without contract.
Will Pass on WLB PropnsaI
The Policy CommItte was called
into session to pass on the latest
proposal OF the War Labor Board.
a modification Of 4 tentative con-
tract agreed to by the UNIV and
the Illinois operators, which was
expected to form the basis for settle
ment elsewhere. The WLB terms
already have been denounced by Mr..
Lewis but there vas some thought
that the Policy Committee might
nevertheless, order the cessation of
the strike.
whether such an order would be
ooeyed was matter for speculation.
The Walkouts, which started in Ala
bama. were unauthorized, and Mr.
Lewis and other UNIV officials. made
efforts to break them up, without
success.
AT the time Of the June walEolIt.
the miners returned to work with
the provlSo laid down by officials
that they would stay on the lob
until last midnight without a con-
tract. When no further word came
from headquarters here over the
week end the exodus from the pits
became general.
Even if the UNIV Policy Commit
tee directs the men to return TO
work, Federal officials did not eX-
pect normal production before Wed
neSday, under the best of conditions,
which means further curtailment OF
time vital war steel output which al
ready has been badly affected. In
Birmingham, a gas shortage was i'm
minent.
rover tut Ialk Revived.
Fuel Administration orders con-
e trolling the distribution Of coal for
home Use indicated preparedness
for any eventuality while the Wa~
, Production Board revived talk of
Nationwide cut in electric power
to conserve coal
, Delivery Of anthracite already has
been barred to any domestic con-
sumner having more than 10 days
supply. The Fuel Administration
also has forbidden retail delivery Of
more than half ton to customer.
Many anthracite collieries had
voted to be idle today because of
All Saints Day, traditional miners
holiday
President Roosevelt, asserting that
coal would be mined, agreed to await
: the results of the miners meeting to-
day before acting.
Defiance of the Government al
. most certainly would mean seizure
OF the mines again. step which
would place in effect the criminal
provisions of the War Labor Dis
pUtes Act. Persons guilty of en-
couraging an interruption then
would be subject to imprisonment
and fine. Other sanctions, includ-
ing cancellation of draft deferment,
!, also are possible
Stoppoge Scheduled Today
: At z British Columbia Mines
NANAIMO, British Columbia. Nov.