Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-10-17
Lewis Orders
100000 Back
In Sudden Move
Fight Is Continued
For Recognition Of
Foremen's Union
By JAMES Y. NEWTON,

by JAMES 7. NEWTON.
John L. Lewis today called OF
the 24-day old coal strike and
ordered his United Mine Workers
in all mines now closed to re-
sumo full production next Mon
day.
The UNIV chiefs sudden action
came two days after failure of
Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach's
efforts to end the strike with a
conference Of miners and operators.
Mr.. Lewis sent kilograms ito the
officers and members of all local
unions in all districts affected by
the present stoppage"
The coal strike started Septen.
Der 81 in a dispute between soft
coal operators and Mr.. Lewis over
the miners demand for recognition
of the UMW's supervisory union.
Stoppages have spread rapidly
since until at present more than
1000 mines and nearly two-thirds
of the Nations soft coal produc-
ton are shut down. Workers on
strike today totaled 10000, while
an additional 10000 steel workers
were idle.
Negotiations Dropped.
Mr.. Lewis telegraphed officials of
UNIV locals that "a1l negotiations
incident to the controversy affecting
clerical, technical and supervisory
employees of the industry have been
discontinued Future efforts to
abate this controversy will be re-
stunned at later, more appropriate,
date"
Referring to Mr.. Lewis action to
end the strike, a UNIV spokesman
commented:
Obviously the Government has
failed to settle the matter. Obviously
the action is taken in the public
interest"
Mr.. Lewis telegram said:
"All mines now idle will resume
production Monday, October q.
Company men and cutting crews
will start to work at any necessary
time in advance.
Cooperation Ufgeu-
THE officers of the United Cleri-
cal, Technical and Supervisory EN-
ployes tthe UNIV union involved in
the controversy of the mining in
dustry are issuing similar instruc-
tons to their own membership. so
that the mines will be properly
examined and made safe before
entry by mine workers. Each mem
Der of the United Mine Workers is
requested to cooperate fully with
this policy"
In the event that any individual
coal company attempts to penalize
any of the workerssin the present
strike Mr.. Lewis ordered his dis
trict officers to properly file 30
day notices Of strike vote with the
National Labor Relations Board,
under the provisions of the infa-
nous Smith Connally slave law"
Mr.. Lewis instructed all of his
district officers and authorized field
representatives of the union to Co
operate effectively" in the resump-
ton of full production in the bitu-
minous coal industry.
Members of the Mine Operators
Committee who remained in town
after Mr. Schwellenpach's concilia-
ton efforts collapsed were not avail
able Immediately for comment.
Strike Cut Steel Output.
UNIV officials said the Lewis ac-
ton to end the strike did not mean
that he had surrendered his posi-
ton on the foremen's issue. They
pointed to the wording in the first
part of the Lewis. telegram which
said that the union would continue
its fight for recognition of the fore
mems union "at later, more APP
propriate date"
The coal strike which affected
mines in six States had the effect OF
reducing production of steel and
other vital reconversion materials
dependent on the fuel.
West Virginia and Pennsylvania
we're the States hardest hit by the
coal strike, which also spread to
mines in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana
and Tennessee.
The current work stoppage did not
involve the question of higher pay,
the big issue in other mine strikes
of the last three years. Mr.. Lewis
demand that the foremen's union be
recognized and the steadfast refusal
OF the operators to give ground on
that point was the sole issue at
stake in this strike.
Two Calls Refused.
Twice before Mr.. Schwellenbach
summoned operators and mine work.
ers to the conference here. October
6 operators had refused Mr.. Lewis
offer to negotiate the dispute. Mine
management insisted that the work
ers return to their jobs before there
were any discussions.
NLRB has taken testimony in q
case which viii determine wheth-
er Mr.. Lewis supervisory union is
an appropriate unit for collective
bargaining under the Wagner Act.
This case involves mines of the
Jones g. Laughlin Steel Co. near
Pittsburgh. xNLRB has set q final
hearing OF the case for October 23.
Lute Bulletin