Evening star., 1943-07-10
Pickeis Block Mine
As U. 5. Agents Probe
Strike Law Violation
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PITTSBURGH, July TO-
While a Federal investigation OF
coal mine work stoppages was
under way, insurgent strikers
blocked entrances today at the
Big Gates mines Of. the H. c..
Frick Coke Co., near Browns
Vile, and prevented some 500
diggers from going back to work.
1t was at this mine that workers
burst through picket lines yesterday.
but today a larger force. estimated
between 140 and ITO pickets, was on
the scene.
State police broke up a traffic jam
when pickets stopped bus carrying
miners by ordering the pickets to
move, on, but neither the bus nor
automobiles following 1t attempted
to drive to the mine entrance.
Pickets Enter Property.
Pickets, who previously had re-
mained of the mine company's prop
erty, entered the property this morn
ing and stood about so feet from the
gates tipple while two United Mine
Workers leaders pleaded with them
to allow the miners to work.
THE invasion of Europe has start
ed" Harry Wells. union local secre-
tary, and William Fenton. financial
secretary, shouted. please let these
men 60 through"
One miner shouted to the pickets
i've got boy over there and
want to go to work to help him"
Several OF the pickets replied
We've got boys over there, too
Earlier, witnesses said some stones
had been hurled at cars on the high
way, but no car windows were
broken and none of the miners was
hit.
EmplOye Raises Flag.
While miners and pickets milled
about, a mine employe raised the
American Flag at dawn as Is the
custom each day on the Govern
ment-o operated property.
The Frick Co. announcing the
closing of the Gates Mine, said OPP
erations at its mines in Fayette
County which produce coking Goa
for steel mills, were down to % pei
cent.
Meanwhile, Federal agents were ir
Southwestern Pennsylvania to de-
termine if the unauthorized work
stoppages are in violation Of the re-
Gently enacted Connally-Smith anti
strike bill.
Grand Jury Called.
Charles F. Uhl, United States at
torney, announced that specia
grand jury session would be hele
next Wednesday to consider mat
ters of great importance" after h
had talked yesterday with Attorney
General Biddle in Washington ane
Federal Judge F. P. Schoonmaker.
The Government. with Secretary
Of Interior Ickes named as admins
| traitor, took over operation of tn,
Nations mines on May l after tn'
| ODcI dLOIS dlIu lIlC SiiibEd NAiii
Workers failed to reach agreemen
on a new contract TO supplant on
expiring April l.
The antistrike law forbids an,
person ito coerce, instigate, induce
conspire with or encourage any per
! son" to interfere with operation o
property in the possession of th
! Government. .... .-a
| At the direction of the UNIV Pol
| icy Committee, almost all of tn,
Nations s 52I 900 coal miners returned
| to work last week But new strike
sentiment flared last Tuesday a
Brownsville, Pa. when $50 mer
gathered and reiterated oemanc
| for no-contract-no work.
The United States Steel Corp. an
nounced its huge Clarion by-prod
ucts works, l8 miles south OF Pitts.
burgh, was slashing operations from
| 100 per cent to 80 per cent and tha
by MoNay 1t might be cut to 81 PEI
cent. 1t already has Cancelled tn,
retiring of four blast furnaces.