Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-18
Kaiser Doubts Miners
Would Follow Lewis
Request for Strike
Tells House Committee
He Fuvors Voluntary
Curbs on Absenteeism
BY the Associated Press.

by Inc Associated Press.
Shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser told
the House Labor Committee today
that he does not believe the Ma
tons coal miners would follow John
l.. Lewis very long" if he should
ask them to strike in April for
higher pay.
His statement came in response
to question as to what Congress
should do if a coal strike is called
April /.
Mr. Kaiser said he did not feel
qualified TO answer-"That is the
problem Of those who really govern. -
But I know what I think he
added Il don't think that the men
will follow Mr. Lewis very long if
he asks them to strike.
Il can't believe that there are
enough Americans who would de-
prive us of any means of winning
the war for any length of time
Would Close Shipyards.
Later, he explained to newsmen
that shutdown of the coal mines,
If it lasted, would close his ship
yards because of its effect on the
production of steel.
Testifying on the general prob
lem of absenteeism in war plants.
the industrialist said he does not
favor attempting to correct it Eek
cept on voluntary and free basis. ="
He advocated a plant by plant
survey of absenteeism to determine
the factors contributing to it and
then cooperative action to elimi-
nate those factors.
Thomas Hits Poor Planning.
By he Associated Press
President R. J. Thomas of the
United Automobile Workers (CIO)
maintained earlier that any attempt
10 eliminate absenteeism by punish
ing individual workers would serve
only to develop workers resentment
and to endanger labor morale"
"Compulsion or penalties cannot
be regarded as any special panaceas
to cure situations arising out of in
adequate planning and FORESIGHT
ed policies. he contended in a state
ment read to the committee.
To meet the problem Of absentee
ism, Mr. Thomas recommended
specifically:
/. Provision of adequate protec-
ton for workers health and safety.
2. The elimination of the con-
fusion, conflict of authority, and in
adequate planning, which has too
often characterized the overall war
production effort.
Asks Cooperation.
g. The effective functioning of
plant and industry labor manage
ment committees. Such committees
will 60 far to eliminate labor hoard
Ing and inefficiency in war produc-
ton plants. In addition, the CUES
ton Of disciplining workers and de-
veloping full consciousness of their
responsibility toward the war effort
is one which may be carried most
effectively by the established or
ganlzatlon of the workers them
selves. Participation on an estab-
lished basis of labor organizations
IN seeking on plant and COM
munlty basis for solutions to the
problem of absenteeism, is matter
of cardinal Importance.
4, Further attention to the hous-
ing and community needs of workers
must be given through the cooper
alive endeavor of labor with man.
agement and Government.
5. Special attention must be paid
to the problems of women workers
They must be assured assistance in
the discharge of their home respon-
sibillties. special protection for their
health and safety in the shop. and
fun consideration to their needs as
essential workers in war industry