Evening star., 1943-05-01
3,4O0 Owners Told
To Reopen Their Pits
UnderAmericonFIoo
Gen. David McCouch
To Direct Use of
Soldiers at Mines
BY the Associated Press.

6y the associated press.
Solid Fuel Administrator Ickes
today sent kilograms to 3,400 BIZ
luminous coal mining companies
inStructing them to operate their
mines in the name of the Gov
ernment and to apply for troop
protection if they need it.
The companies were urged to con-
tinue operations with existing per-
sonnel so far as possible and ito en-
courage miners to return to work
under present wages and working
conditions with the understanding
that any eventual wage adjustment
will be retroactive"
Mr.. Ickes' kilograms to the oper-
ators went to every bituminous COM
pany in the United States operating
one or more mines producing so tons
or more a day. This category nor
mally produces about 95 per cent of
all soft coal. it was said.
Similar kilograms to anthracite
operators will be sent this afternoon
to about $50 Pennsylvania COM
panies.
McCoach to Direct Troops.
Assigned to Mr.. Ickes' staff in the
event there is need for troop protec-
ton was Brig. Gen. David C. Nc
Coach, jr.. assistant chief of engin-
eers for the War Department and
formerly Engineer Commissioner for
the District from September s, 1888,
to May 16, l941. Other military Of
ficials will be stationed in regional
offices of the Bituminous Coal Divi-
sion to receive requests for troop
protection and forward them to Mr..
Ickes and Gen. McCoach.
Mr.. Ickes office said I'VE are mov-
ing right in now with the formaIities
of the order, but we will not ask for
help from the Army unless we
need it,
Mr.. Ickes and Gen. McCoach, it
was announced, will make all deci-
sions for the use of troops.
In a formal statement, Mr.. Ickes
said:
Il shall operate the coal mines on
behalf of the United Sattes for the
purpose of getting the coal with
which to fight the war. have been
given no other duty.
From this Office to the lowest
level of the deepest mine, all of us in
| the coal mining business are now
working for Uncle Sam.
The executive order signed bv
the President authorizes me to take
whatever measures may be necessary
to assure that every mine employe
shall have an opportunity to do his
duty by producing the coal that the
! United States must have.
L shall expect every one con-
nected with the mining of coal to do
his full share at his regular job. I
make no other request"
Text of Message.
The text Of Mr. Ickes' message to
the 3,400 bituminous coal mining
companies follows:
TO. assure production of coal
necessary to win the war, the Presi-
dent of the United States, as COM
mander in chief of the Army and
Navy, has directed me to take over
all bituminous coal mines of above
named company. You are being
called upon as loyal and patriotic
| American to serve as operating
manager for the United States of
the mines of your company and to
continue operations at the mines
for the United States. Formal in
structions and appointment will
issue upon your Acknowledgement of
this call to service by return wire in
substantially following form:
az solemnly undertake to serve
the United States and devote my
self to the task of producing coal so
that the work of winning the war
may not falter.
"I am flying the flag of the
United States on the mining prem
ises to show that property is being
operated exclusively for the United
States and that all employees, in
cluding myself. who serve the mine
are serving their country. The mine
am operating for the United States
is known as the insert name of
(See ICKES, Page Aid