Evening star., 1945-03-08
Lewis Seen Canine
Concessions on -Four
Demands in Talks
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

Oo1ua -. Lewis OuIGcQ Mine
Workers today were given good
chance of gaining concessions in
four OF their first seven demands as
discussions with bituminous mine
operators for new work contract
entered the fourth day at the
Statler Hotel.
The three other demands were
strongly opposed by the operators,
with the men who run the mines
lined up almost solidly against one
OF the proposals. 10-cent royalty"
on each ton of mined coal to be
paid into the UNIV treasury as a
health insurance" fund.
Meanwhile Solid Fuels Admins
traitor Ickes expressed belief at a
press conference that there viii be
no walkout of bituminous coal
miners.
Hits Draft of Miners.
Secretary Ickes also criticized the
present military draft policy as it
affects mine workers.
TN view of the present low stock
pile situation he said, Il do not see
how there can be walkout but we
can't continue to supply coal for
steel if the able-bodied miners con-
tinue to be drafted.
Il have warned certain people
here In Washington that they have
to make up their minds now wheth-
er they want men next fall at the
expense of steel"
The mine workers chances of
gaining another concession - full
portal-to-portal or travel time pay
hinged on a case testing its valid
ity scheduled for argument in the
Supreme Court today or tomorrow.
In the case, the Jewell Ridge Coal
Co. contests legality of including
travel time in the work week under
the wage-hour law. A decision was
not expected until late this month.
Await Vinson Decision.
Final outcome of many of Mr..
Lewis demands involving fringe"
or secondary wage issues depended
upon the new policy covering con-
sideration of such cases expected
to be announced by Fred M. Vinson
before he steps down as economic
stabilization director. Mr.. Wilson's
decision would effect fringe" in
creases which result in price boosts.
Operators who would discuss the
royalty" demand, which would add
an estimated $55 ,000, 900 to $50 0,000,-
600 annually to the UNIV treasury,
were of the opinion that it was be-
yond the realm of negotiation.
Some questioned seriousness of the
demand.
Consensus among operators of the
demands discussed thus far:
l. The new contract, which would
become effective April l, to be an
open end" type, subject to ter
mination by either party on 20
days notice; good chance of agree
ment."
2. Royalty; almost unanimously
opposed.
3. Free explosives and accessories,
involving 21a cents a ton; good
chance of working out through
trading"
Differential in Question.
4. CHASING all employees as mine
workers" except the superintendent
and one mine foreman "a highly
controversial ISSUE" one which the
operators oppose and doubt that
Mr.. Lewis would push seriously. He
did not mention 1T in his public
argument and has not completed
of foremen.
S. Elimination of the historical
North-South pay differential: Un-
derstood that Southern operators|
were given veto power over action
on this issue in return for entering
the Nationwide bargaining con-
ference.
6. Differential of 10 cents and Is
cents for the second and third shift,
respectively: Can be negotiated, with
the War Labor Board setting the
standard under the expected new
fringe" policy.
7. Increase of vacation allowance
from $50 to s1o0: Under discussion
today WLB probably will have
final say in this matter, too. Miners
with more than five years service
would get this demand under past
WLB decisions About SIS per cent
of miners have served present en-