Evening star., 1943-04-11
Lewis Calls Roosevelt
'Ho|d-the-Line' Order
False and Unsound
Says InfIotion Is Here,
Cites 6 Billion Profits
To Industry in 9 Months
By the Associated Press,

By the A6SOClAted PIesb.
NEW YORK, April 10.-John l..
Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers, declared today
that President Roosevelt's hold
the line" order lis a false and
unsound way to achieve any rea-
sonable control of imitation"
THE order comes belatedly after
the fact of the arrival of imitation
to. substantial degree-inflation
represented by increased cost OF
feedstuffs and living essentials and
definite scarcities of many commod-
tiles due to war demands" Mr..
Lewis said at a general press con-
ference.
He asserted that mine workers,
farmers and railroad workers we're
aimed at by the administration
order tightening control of wages
and prices at time when he said
industry and finance had received
approximately $6,250, 100000 in
profits during the first nine months
of the present Government fiscal
year.
Parley to Continue.
The UNIV will continue its ncgo-
tiations for a new contract next
week with Northern and Southern
Appalachian soft coal mine oper-
ators, seeking proper wages Mr..
Lewis said. Both groups are sched-
uled to meet at 10 am. Tuesday.
They were not in session today.
Referring to the order, Mr.. Lewis
said:
II point out that this is false
and unsound way to achieve any
reasonable control of imitation.
Twenty-three millions on the farms
and So million employed in other
gainful occupation cannot be re-
strained in their attempts to main
tain participation on an effective
and cooperative basis in our ma
tionala economy while the Govern
tional economy while the Govern
In nine months into the laps of the
coupon clippers of America.
"A farmer or a miner is more
important to the war effort and the
future destinies of this republic than
fat investor in corporation securi-
ties.
THE farmer and miner in effect
Is being asked to maintain his liv-
ing standards on a status quo, ante
bellum basis with no consideration
OF wear or tear and depreciation
Of human plant facilities, while cor
porate industry is given amply al
lowance for maintenance and equip
ment and $6,25O,0O0,oO0 in nine
months of monetary awards for lux
urious living or any other considera-
ton
Points to Treasury Report.
The UNIV chief said a United
States Treasury report revealed war
expenditures for the current fiscal
year-from July l. 1912, to April /,
hst-totaled $50.574, ,252, 1859 and de-
clared 1t is "conservatively esti-
mated" that 1912 per cent of this
amount, or approximately $780,
10000, is prolific industry and
finance. - -s'~1:
obviously this $3.50, 900 900 profit
Is inf1ationary because it is utilized
for expenditure by those who receive
1t according to their whim or Ca
price" he said. He added that So
250,000.000 profit in nine months
represents the difference between
Initiation and non imitation in the
United States"
, Mr.. Lewis said he estimated the
profit figures on the basis of "ex-
orbitant" amounts set aside by
orations for costs created by the
war and wear on plant facilities as
we'll as on announced dividends.
Referring to railroad workers, as
we'll as farmers and miners, he said:
tAll Of these groups were aimed at
Ny the recent order of the Presi-
dent"
Referring again to the profit fig
DIRE he named. he declared the UNIV
believed in the profit system.
But why not give to the farmers
and the mine workers part of this
$3.50, 900 900 worth of profit?" he
asked. why not divide up the
profits, If profits there must be,
among all Americans who render
service and give their all to sup
port the flag and the institutions
that exist beneath it?
Mine workers only ask a square
deal. They ask for an end of this
political persecution. They cry a
halt to this effort to make their
claims pawns in the political mar
Net places
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