Evening star., 1943-11-02

curtailment In steel production
could be avoided, but that any later
resumption would mean a tapering
off, with a shutdown of so per cent
or more if the stoppage continued
beyond this week.
Birmingham Steel Output Hit.
Steel production in the Birming-
ham area, where the present strike
fourth in six monthS-started Oc-
tober l3. already has been hit badly.
In announcing resumption of
Government control, Mr.. Roosevelt
said he had authorized Mr.. Ickes to
make a contract with the miners on
the terms prescribed by the War
Labor Board in modifying the pro-
posed Illinois agreement last week.
This would recognize the principle
Of underground travel pay, and give
the miners S8.l212 for an 81 hour
day. as compared with the basic ST
for seven hours now payable, with
out any provision for travel time
Mr.. Lewis already has asSailed the
terms of the WLB recommendation
and called the Policy Committee
into session here yesterday to pass
on it.
The committee had taken no ac-
ton, but instead named a subcom-
mittee Of district presidents to study
and report late today on both the
anthracite and bituminous contro-
versies. Shortly after the commit
tee meeting broke up, Mr.. Roosevelt
stepped in, making good his ulti-
matum of Friday night to act II
the Policy Committee failed to.
Government control will make
possible the application of the anti
strike law sanctions against the
strikers and their officials. and from
Congress today came demands for
strict enforcement of the Anti
strike Act.
Possible Penalties Under Law.
Under the law. those responsible
for fostering strike in a Govern
menr-Cperated industry are subject
to $4,000 fine or Imprisonment for
a year or both. Denial of strike
benefits is another punitive provis-
ion. In the period of Government
operation, an executive order makes
provision also for withholding of
union dues and cancellation of oc-
cupational draft deferments.
Some members of Congress con-
tended that 1t is not possible under
the law to invoke penalties against
individual miners. They say also
that the walkout is not technically
a strike and that therefore the with
holding Of union benefits from
miners is not in order.
However. Representatives Harness.
Republican. of Indiana. co-author Of
the antistrike law which was passed
over Mr.. Roosevelt's veto, insists that
the legislation is sufficient TO cope
with the situation and needs no re-
vision.
1T now remains to be seen
whether the President will enforce
this law or permit the law to be
Haunted the Indianan said. The
law itself is clear enough and pro-
vides stiff penalties for anyone par
ticipating actively in a concerted
action resulting in interruption of
work in a Government operated
plant"
New Authority for Ickes.
The wage authority conferred on
Mr.. 1ckeS Is departure from the
procedure instituted when the
mines first were taken over May l..
Then the wage issue remained with
the miners and operators.
1t has been reported that Mr..
1ckes desired this additional au-
thority, though the bargaining field,
of course, will be hedged by the
WLB.
The operators recognize that any
agreement worked out between Mr.
Lewis and Secretary Ickes will be
the agreement they will have to ac-
cept if they want their mines back
during the war.
Edward R. Burke, president of the
Southern Coal Operators Associa-
ton, made this suggestion, LAS mat
ters stand today, the way seems
open Immediately upon resumption
of production, which I assume will
be tomorrow, for Secretary Ickes
to call a meeting of the miners,
operators and stabilization authori-
ties, and with all sides represented,
work out the best possible arrange
ment. I see no reason why such
an agreement could not be worked
out"
Ickes Could Call on Army.
The terms under which the Gov
ernment again assumes control of