Evening star., 1943-06-24
Continued From First Page :

will be speedily settled so that pri-
Vate operation of the mines may be
resumed under conditions which will
not involve danger of interruption
Of production.
But in the present circumstances
1t Is essential to protect the Gov
ernment's interest in the operation
of the mines that I undertake active
participation in the supervision of
management and operation Of the
mines"
In the kilograms conveying that
message to the % mine owners, in
cludine presidents of several steel
companies, Mr.. Ickes said also that
he wished to deal with these men as
principals and that he did not ex-
pect them to send proxies, substi-
tutes or representa- tiyes."
The Government mine boss told
press conference that as a result of
mine strikes in the last seven weeks
1t might be necessary to set up some
sort of rationing or ALLEGATION sys-
rem to assure fair distribution of
coal.
Seriously Behind Late Goal.
Mr.. 1ckes said such steps might
have to be undertaken, particularly
IN some sections. because coal pro-
duction had fallen seriously be-
hind" the rate required to attain the
goal of 600,0000O0 tons of soft coal
and 65.000000 tons of hard coal
which he said is necessary in war
time.
Stock piles we're down greatly. Mr..
1ckes said, adding that it would be
impossible 10 build them back to
proper levels unless production is
Kept flowing at a steady pace.
He noted that the Northwest and
Canada are dependent on Great
Lakes shipping for much coal and
said a steady flow of supplies is nee
essary so movement of this coal can
be completed before winter closes
the lakes, otherwise the Northwest
might be hit first by coal short
age.
In this connection Mr. Ickes said
that he had asked John L. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work
ers, to return his union members to
work without setting any deadline
for stepping work in the absence of
some new labor agreement.
Deadline Not Mentioned in Talks.
When reporter asked whether
Mr.. Lewis had pointed pistol at
the head of the Government" in
setting October 81 as such a dead
line, Mr.. 1ckes replied, Maybe he's
pointing pistol at my head" He
said Mr.. Lewis had not mentioned
deadline during their talks this
week before the strikers we're told
by Mr.. Lewis to 60 back to work.
The length of time he operates
the mines for the Government, Mr.
1ckes said, will depend on how long
it will be before there is an agree
ment settling the wage dispute be-
tween the UNIV and the operators
Asked whether he had any reason
to believe there are prospects for
such an agreement, Mr. Ickes re-
piled:
Il think that with complete good
will on both sides this controversy
could be settled"
Mr.. Ickes said he is still continu-
ing to look into the prices charged
by stores in coal towns because they
are so intimately related to the real
wages of the miners He said he
had received some shocking news"
on mine store prices in some areas.
Might Study Portal Pay.
Mr. Ickes said also that he might
be willing to undertake. a study of
"factual' matters involving portal
to-portal pay for the miners. He
emphasized that any such study
would be confined to determining
time actually spent by miners In
underground travel
Mr.. IckeS said his meeting tomor.
row with the mine owners was
called so that he might get thet
views and suggestions" He re.
fused to say whether he had ir
mind amy inefficiency in the pres.
ent setup" by which the Govern.
ment exercises nominal control ovel
the mine properties and production
The Interior Secretary termed 'ir.
responsible, reckless and ridiculous