Evening star., 1943-05-02
Nationwide Dimout> Trave|Curb
May Be Forced by Miners Strike;
Workers Hear President Toniqht
Ickes Is Rushing
Plans to Reopen
Fields Tomorrow
BY ]. A. FOX.

L IiC 1OVCl lllliCIlG Was 1llOVlIlS
swiftly last night to get the
ke-bound coal mines back
into production and to safeguard
the Nations war machinery.
Shortly after the issuance of
President Roosevelt's unprecedented
order directing the seizure and oper-
ation-with the backing of arms, if
necessary-of the pits where more
than 100000 men have laid down
their tools in the last few days, Solid
Fuels Administrator Ickes, to whom
the task of keeping the mines going
was delegated, dispatched "call-to-
service" kilograms to $3.50 operators
in the bituminous and anthracite
fields, ordering them and their
workers to be on the job tomorrow.
Less Rail Travel Urged.
At the same time, in an effort
to relieve the pinch on the dwin-
ding fuel supply, Mr.. Ickes recon-
mended elimination of all unessen-
tial railroad travel for the duration
of the strike, and, it was under
stood, was prepared to ask for a
Nation wide dimout to conserve the
coal used in generating power. The
contemplated rail restrictions, being
worked out with Director Joseph
B. Eastman of the Office of Defense
Transportation, would entail Is
per cent reduction in passenger train
and locomotive mileage.
While the order empowering Mr..
1ckes to operate the mines under
such arrangements as he deems ad-
visable authorized him to call on
the War Department for "protec-
ton" for the mines and those who
may work them, he expressed hope
that the use of soldiers would not
become necessary, and declared that
they will not be called in unless
1t is absolutely essential"
Brig. Gen. David c. McCoach, jr..
assistant chief of Army Engineers
and former Engineer Commissioner
of the District, was assigned to Mr..
Ickes' staff in case troops are needed
in the mine crisis. Other military
officials will be stationed in regional
Offices of the Biturninous Coal Di-
vision to receive requests for troop
protection and forward them to Mr..
Ickes and Gen. McCoach, both of
whom will make all decisions for
the use of troops.
Flag to Fly Over Fields.
The American flag will fly over all
the fields, and at 10 o'clock tonight
Mr.. Roosevelt will go on the radio
to talk ito the miners of the Nation, "
in a renewed effort to encourage
their return to work.
The mine-seizure order was Issued
by the President at 11:42 am. yester-
day, less than 2 hours after the 10
O'Clock deadline he had set for the
cessation of the strike in a tele-
gram Thursday to John L. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work
ers.
Advised in New York of this step
and asked for comment, Mr.. Lewis
responded:
Il won't say anything"
Quick promises of support came
from the operators.
j. B. Morrow, president of the
Pittsburgh Coal Co., the Nations
second largest producer of soft coal
told the Associated Press that his
company was preparing to comply
with the Presidents order, and a
spokesman for the Western Penn
sylvania Operators Association
who declined use of his name, COM
mented. II feel that all of oul
operators will comply"
Complete cooperation also was
promised from the anthracite in
dustry.
In the seizure order the President
said the management of the mines
was to be permitted ito continue
Its managerial functions to the
(See COAL, Page A-4)