Evening star., 1943-06-21

than three months of intermittent
negotiations since March 10, the
Appalachian operators have not a,
any time, nor in any instance, made
a counter offer of any character tt
the wage proposals originally ad.
vanced by the United Mine Workers
of America
In reverse. the Negotiating Com
mittee ot the United Mine Workers
have from time to time modified
their proposals, until their present
position constitutes mere shell
and shadow of their original pro-
posals,
To-day, there exists but one major
problem preventing settlement;
Namely, compensation to the mine
workers for travel time from mine
portal to portal. A Federal statute
and court DEGREES legalize such pay
ment. 1t has been the continuous
position of the United Mine Workers
of America that the War Labor
Board could not resolve this ques-
ton because it lacked jurisdiction
The latest decision of the board now
proves the truth of this contention
and portal-to portal pay becomes a
negotiable problem subject to agree
ment by the parties affected.
The War Labor Board was not
content to announce this lack OF
Jurisdiction. 1t added insult tC
injury by writing in meticulous
form, in exact phrases, form OF
contract for the United Mine Work
ers of America, with blank spaces
to be filled in as to date and sigma
ture. In this proposed contract the
War Labor Board reverses its
previous position on special items
and includes stipulations and speci-
fications designed TO compensate the
coal operators for the loyalty OF
their political adherence to the
board.
Two-Year Contract.
The board, with calm nonCha
lance, announces that this contract
which it directs the United Mine
Workers of America to accept, will
be for a period of two years. Ir
other words. the War Labor Boaro
undertakes to place political anC
economic manacles and leg irons
on each of the $4,000 members OF
the union affected for a tWo-yeal
period.
No member and no officer of the
United Mine Workers of America
would be so destitute of principle
and so devoid of honor as to sign
or execute such an Infamous yellow
dog contract. The Congress has
enacted no statute and the Consti-
tuition lacks any amendment tC
take from American citizens the
right to refrain from participation
in such a degrading act.
The action of the War Labor
Board in this respect constitutes an
assault on the basic principles un-
derlying the privileges and freedom
of American citizens as defined
through the years by the definitions
and DEGREES of the judiciary.
Each member of the United Mine
Workers of America is conscious OF
the imperative necessity to continue
the production of coal and protect
the interests of our Government al
war We deplore the circumstances
which have enabled political influ-
ences to make a mockery Of collec-
tive bargaining and to successfully
block a wage agreement in the coal
industry.
Proposed Terms Condemned.
In refusing to work for the Goa,
operators on the detestable terms
which they offer through the War
Labor Board, We assert the will
ingness of the mine workers to work
and continue the production of coal
for the Government, itself. under
the direction of the custodian OF
mines since governmental seizure
of the properties.
The mine workers have no favors
to grant the coal operators. nor the
members of the War Labor Board
who have dishonOred their trust
but will make any necessary Sacri-
flee for the Government, the we'll
being of it's citizens, the upholdine
of our flag and for the triumph OF
our war effort.
Accordingly, the executive Off.
GERS of the United Mine Workers OF
America are hereby instructed tt
hold themselves in readiness to con.
fer with the Secretary of the Int.
rior. who by presidential executive
order of May /, 1943 is instructed
and empowered to do all things
necessary for or incidental to the
production. sale and distribution o.
COAL"
Yesterdays session of the negoti,
ators lasted only an hour. When il
adjourned the Northern and South.
ern groups of operators and the
Central Pennsylvania Coal Pro.
ducerS' Association sent this tele.
gram to WLB Chairman Davis anc
Secretary Ickes:
The undersigned operators groups
of the Appalachian biturSinous Goa
area have met witn the United Mine
Workers of America in conference
on June 10 and 20 ir an endeavor tc
resolve the findings contained ir
directive order No. 1l1-l284 of the
National War Labor Board into q
contract.
I'VE have been unable to reach any
conclusion due tc the fact that the
United Mine Workers of America
are unwilling TO make a contract
until their claim for portal-to-porta.
travel time is satisfied.
The directive specifically denies
this claim and 10 possibility OF
agreement exists. The conference
has adjourned sine die. We will con.
tinue to keep Our mines open anc
prepared to operate under the terms
of the directive
No New Offers Made.
IT was learned authoritativel,
that neither Mr.. Lewis nor the oper'