Evening star., 1943-05-01
Coal
Continued From First PAGE

fective development and utilization
of solid fuels"
In addition to the grant of gen.
eral authority - apparently broad
enough so that Mr.. Ickes could even
tell retail coalyard what sizes of
coal and how much of it the yard
might stock the order specified
that rationing authorities consult
Mr.. Ickes on any proposals for ra-
tioning solid fuels.
The President repeated that the
coal strikes were "a direct interfer-
ence with the prosecution of the
war@~aTid challenged the govern
mental machinery set up for the
orderly and peaceful settlement of
labor disputes and the power of the
Government to carry on the war"
Same as Gripping Defeat.
He also reiterated that continu-
ance and spread of the strikes would
have the same effect as a Gripping
defeat in the war, and promised that
whenever the miners submit their
case to the WLB sit will be de-
termined promptly, fairly and in &C
cordance with the procedure and law
applicable to all labor disputes
After declaring he had ordered
Government seizure and operation
OF the mines, the President said:
Il now call upon all miners who
may have abandoned their work to
return Immediately to the mines and
work for the Government. Their
country needs their services as much
as those of the members of the
armed forces. 1 am confident that
they do not wish to retard the war
effort: that they are as patriotic as
any other Americans, and that they
will promptly answer this call to
perform this essential war service"
IF any adjustment of wages is
made, it will be made retroactive" :"
he added.
The executive order declared that
the UNIV had, by refusing to sum-
nit to the WLB machinery, vio-
lated the labor industry pledge that
there shall be no strikes or lockouts
during the war.
Seizure Necessary.
Then it went on to say that the
seizure was necessary to protect the
interests of the Nation at war and
the rights of workers to continue at
work.
Mr.. Ickes was directed to main
tain customary working conditions
in the mines and customary pro-
cedure for the adjustment of work.
ers' grievances. ..
He shall recognize" the order
said, the right OF the workers to
continue their membership in any
labor organization, to bargain COL
lectively through representatives of
their own choosing, and to engage
in concerted activities for the pur-
pose of collective bargaining or other
mutual aid or protection provided
that such concerted activities do no.
interfere with the operations of the
mines"
Federal possession and operation
of the mines, the order provided,
will be terminated as soon as Mr..
Ickes determines that this is no
longer required for the furtherance
of the war program.
In ordering seizure of the mines
an unprecedented step In this coun-
try-the President is conforming Il
pattern followed in several in.
stances at war plants where tie-up.
have occurred. In March of last
year the Government also took ovel
railroad, the Toledo, Peoria &
Western-where a strike was in
progress and the property is still
being operated by the Office of De.
fense Transportation.
Historic Parallel.
A historic parallel to the calling
out of troops occurred in 1894, when
President Cleveland turned out the
Army in connection with the Pull
man strike.
Mr.. Ickes has been solid fuels CO.
ordinator since November S, 1a41, in
an advisory capacity at first, and he
already has set this years produc-
ton goals at 600, 900 600 tons OF
bituminous coal and $4,000, 900 OF
anthracite. Up to the time Of the
walkouts current production was re-
ported abreast of schedule.
Despite the presidential Ultima.
tum, the threatened walkout which
had been steadily growing for the
last week was climaxed by virtually
a complete shutdown In the coal