The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-04-11
Ickes Takes
Mines Under
i. 5. Control.
Lewis and Operators Still
Bargaining On New
Contract

WASHINGTON, April 10. IN -
The Government tonight took ov-
or 235 soft coal mines after a
wave of wildcat work stoppages
forced partial shutdown of
plants producing steel vital to the
war effort.
President Roosevelt issued an
order to Secretary of Interior
Ickes to assume operation of any
or all mines where stoppages ex-
ist or are threatened. Ickes act
ed within an hour, thus putting
the Government into the coal bust
ness for the fourth time since the
United States entered the war.
The seizures occurred while
John L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers, bargained
with operators on a new contract.
They were in tentative agree
ment' on all but one point.
The union disclaimed all respon-
sibility for the strikes. Lewis had
agreed to extension of the old con-
tract until May l., but in the field
thousands of miners were idle.
The seized mines are in seven
states. The greater part of the Ma
TONS 3,478 mines have remained
in operation.
Ickes took these steps.
Issued an order taking posses
son Of idle soft coal mines in
Pennsylvania, o hio, Tennessee,
Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and
Alabama.
Ordered those mines to be open.
ed for work Thursday morning.
Designated executive heads Of
the mining company as Federal
operating managers.
Instructed the Federal managers
to raise the United States flag ov.
er their pits and to post govern
ment take-over notices.
Called upon the mine workers
to return to the job and keep coal
moving on schedule to speed the
winning of the war.
Made applicable again regula-
tons issued during the 1943 Gov
eminent operations.
Stopping work at this time is
intolerable and unpatriotic," 1ckes
said in a statement cit is threat
ening the production of munitions
and war equipment just when our
armies need our full support to win
victory in Europe
Suspension of operations in
mines serving the iron and steel
industry is already estimated to
be cutting into steel. production at
8 rate which represents approx
inately 100000 tons Of steel output
weekly. he war Production
Board has informed my office that
13 blast furnaces for the produc.
ton of pig iron and 81 open hearth
furnaces where iron is turned into
steel are closed today. Other
plants will be affected similarly
unless the production of coal is
resumed Immediately.
Obviously, a continuation of
this situation would seriously
hamper within a very short time
the output Of munitions vital to the
progress of the war.
The first job is to get the Goa
moving again. Every man con
niected with this industry SHOULD
Know that coal, in the form o.
steel, explosives, equipment, in
oustral energy and transportation
is fundamental part of practically
every action of our fighting men
Aoal must move on schedule.
Every ounce of production
strength must be used to reduce
me threatening coal deficit of 40,
WOOOO tons. Even when German
nAltary resistance collapses we
SAall have a tough job ahead Il
oeat the Japs. To falter now il
4 coal production might cost us al
garry victory in Europe and pro
phg the fighting of the war in thu
Pacific.
4 Inc Presidential executive orde,
sad that Mr.. Roosevelt had fount
Il sndt' as a result of existing o,
threatened strikes and other labo
Il disturbances. operations had beer
interrupted or were threatened
n with interruption.
y Inc coed produced by such
n allhes is required for the war eff
torE ne said, ard that effort Evil
W uhduly impeded or delayed b,
such interrupticms.''
n ickes, in his capacity of Sole
Huels Administrator. will run tn,
mines. But tlIl executive orde