Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-16

bilC outtdW Soi INC VI ICllIiSy
Chairman George w. Taylor of
contract" Mr.. Yevcak indicated,
however, there was no predicting
what the men would do.
Mr.. Lewis, waving a chance to be
the first witness at the hearing,
listened impassively while a process
sion of men from the coal area told
the board the strike was a rank
and-file revolt against the dues in
crease as we'll as a demonstration
for wage increase.
One witness, Julian Kijenski, de-
clared fervently:
"I would like to know. my dear
friends, what Mr.. Lewis wants that
so cents for. If he needs it let him
take it. But he has $1,000, 900 now,
if 1 am not mistaken, and he does
anything he wants with it."
Lewis Takes Floor.
After sitting for some time peer
ing from under his shaggy brows,
Mr.. Lewis himself took the floor to
declare that the dues increase was
voted according to democratic
processes and that the real reason
for the strike was low pay and
part-time employment.
Taking dig at highly placed
member of the Roosevelt admins
tration, with which he has long
been at odds. Mr.. Lewis said:
Our miners in the anthracite in
dustry cannot make enough in a
week to buy Harry Hopkins an eve
ming dinner In the Carlton Hotel,
in the place to which he is accus-
toned
The board previously had heard
from Thomas Kennedy, secretary
treasurer of the UNIV, that the
strike was terrible mis-. axe, COM
ing at time In the war when fuel
is not available"
Warning that the strike would
spread to many thousand more
miners unless wage increases were
assured Mr.. Yevcak testified. He
said that unless he could go home
with assurances of negotiations to-
ward 50 increase, the entire dis
tricts and 9 would close down.
This would involve about $4,000 men
outside district /. principal scene of
the present strike.
Threat Of Spreading Discussed.
Wayne L. Morse. public member
OF the board, shot in query as to
whether this was a threat to widen
the strike 'if your Government de-
cides against a 50 increase"
Il must report back that salts
factory progress toward the So has
been made" Mr.. Yevcak replied.
Angrily, Mr. Morse declared that
he would be prepared to meet that
issue when it comes up" Thereupon
George Taylor, another public mem
Der. observed that Mr.. Yevcak's re-
marks were only the sentiment of
one speaker"
Telegram Read to Board.
Mr.. Lewis then read to the board
a telegram which he said he had
sent to all local unions involved in
the strike. This directed that all
union members stay on the job
and promised:
"Yevcak and Shirkness secretary
Of the committee) and their outlaw
associates on this alleged tri-dis-
trict committee, who are now en-
gagged in this mad enterprise, will
be held to accountability under the
laws of their own union"
Mr.. Lewis said the miners were on
strike because limited number of
men refused to abide by the rules of
our union" He said that the miners
were entitled to wage increase
and that in his opinion they would
get it when the unions new con-
tract was drawn up.
But he went on to say that the
requested increase, if granted now.
would be contrary to an agreement
which will not expire until April 30.
My signature Is on that agree
ment." he said, 80 far as I am con-
cerned that agreement will be car
if this board has the power under
its grant of authority to set aside a
collective bargaining agreement.
IF 1t has, then I say to the an
thracite workers and to all the work
ers in America, collective bargaining
has disappeared and they might as
well abandon their unions and let
the representatives of Government
tell them how much they shall work
for, when they shall work and how
courteous they have to be to their
foremen."
$4,000 Not Protesting.
Reiterating that the dues increase
was voted in convention, Mr.. Lewis
said some $4,000 members are. pay
ing 1t without protest, while some
10000, more or less, are protest.
ing"
In answer to complaints that
the anthracite delegates to the con-
vention were outvoted by the BIZ
luminous delegates, he said:
II don't know why any one should
assume that workers in bituminous
mines should like to pay more dues
than men in anthracite"
Fred Schraeder, chairman of the
Grievance Committee of the South
Wilkes Barre Colliery, said that at
the international convention, he
stood in front of a dead micro
phone for half an hour" and was
not recognized when he attempted
to protest the dues increase.
AT the close of the hearing, Van
Bittner, who left the ranks of the
UNIV with ousted Vice President
Philip Murray, asked Mr.. Lewis why
he did not 60 into the striking area
and talk to the miners as you
did here today"
Explains Failure TO Appear.
Mr.. Lewis retorted:
Il didn't want to infiame the sit
uation, directing publicity to the
strike, by running up posthaste, my
self"
Turning to the miners in the rear
Of the room, Mr.. Lewis said:
IF there are any sneerers about
my not being there, let him get up