Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-10-07
Lewis Refuses
Operators Plea
To End Strike
Both Sides stond Fast
At Conference Here;
36 More Mines Close
UNION HEAD denies wages are in
volved in telephone strike. P. AS.
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

Dy JhNAGo L NE w 1oNs
John L. Lewis has rejected q
request of soft coal operators to
order his United Mine Workers
back to work, Secretary of Labor
Schwellenbach reported last
night after an all-day session of
the conference called in an effort
to end the spreading coal strike.
Meanwhile So additional mines
were closed, bringing the number
of pits shut down in six States to
623 and the number of miners made
idle to $4,000. The Nations pro-
duction of soft coal has been re-
duced more than a third.
Although Mr.. Schwellenbach OPP
timistically scheduled another ses-
sion with the miners and operators
for tomorrow morning, it appeared
unlikely either side would bulge
from its position regarding recog-
milton of the union of mine super.
visory employees. the controversy
that caused the current work stop
pages.
Oil Workers Returning.
Elsewhere the national labor pic
ture improved. Striking oil workers
were returning slowly to the 50
plants under Navy operation. There
was promise that both Ford and the
Hudson Motor Car Co. would re-
sumo operations tomorrow, re-em-
ploying $1,000 workers, and leaving
Detroit with only a few minor work
stoppages.
In New York, Joseph P. Ryan,
president of the AFL Jongshore-
mems Union, said he was con.
WINGED" the striking longshoremen,
whose walkout had crippled ship
ping in New York harbor for six
days, also would return to work
tomorrow. The strike affected an
estimated $4,000 to $4,000 workers.
In all, more than 10000 workers
were involved in the back-to-work
movements. Their return would
reduce the strike idle to less than
100000:
/ Secretary Schwellenbach said he
spent yesterday exploring differ
ences of the operators and mine
workers and did not press for the
miners return to work. He told
reporters, however, he would have
to take a stand If the differences
are not settled in the next few days.
4 Operators Blame UNIV.
Mr.. Lewis insists that the oper-
ators recognize the United Clerical,
Technical and Supervisory Union.
part of the UMW's District so, which
has organized foremen and super
visors at numerous mines. The
operators take the position the UNIV
is responsible for the sstrike and
they refuse to continue negotiations
until the men return to work.
| Mr.. Schwellenbach reported MIR.
/ Lewis maintains that the UNIV, as
an international organization, is not
responsible for the walkouts and
that therefore he cannot order them
to emo. Mr. Lewis said the strikes
were voluntary in each locality and
that rank and file miners stay away
from work when they see the super
visors idle. Operators came back
with the charge that at many mines
the miners were out although their
supervisors were on the job.
Il may say quite frankly that I
don't know whether we made
progress at this meeting" Mr..
Schwellenbach said. Most of the
time was spent in the usual pre-
liminary discussion l don't know
whether either side receded any
from its position. I would say it
was typical first day of meet
ing of this kind"
Little Progress Made.
Both sides reported privately.
however, that little progress was
made and neither showed inclina-
ton to give in. Operators esti-
mate the number of mine employees
in the supervisory classification at
$4,000. Mr.. Lewis contends there
are many more currently exempt
from his work contract.
The issue of unionization of fore
men has long been sore point in
the coal industry. When the last
soft coal wage agreement was signed
last spring, both sides agreed to
discuss the problem later, although
the usual exemptions were included
in the contract. Conferences were
held over the summer but the OPP
orators broke them of when the
current strike began and twice since
refused Mr. Lewis invitation to
reopen negotiations.
I'VE are going to have a very
serious coal shortage very shortly
unless this thing is settled" Mr..
Schwellenbach declared. He said
! the supply situation was very much
the same as in oil. The Nation now
is living off reserves built up for
cold weather. .
The Secretary said he recon-
mended seizure of the 50 strike
bound oil properties only with great
reluctance" and that he did not
know what steps would be taken If
the coal strike continues.
He said industrial troubles very
definitely" threatened reconversion,
adding IT wouldn't underestimate
the seriousness of the situation, al
though I think that a few weeks
ago, when we had only about 10000
(see LABOR, Page A-5)