Evening star., 1945-09-26
j. ). Oil Strike
Authoriizedif
Par|eyFai|s
Complete WoIkout
Would Involve
100000 Workers
By the Associated Pre- IS,


CHICAGO, Sept. 26.-The Oil
Workers international Union
(CIO) today authorized a Ma
tion-wide strike if the present
Government-sponSored concilia-
ton conference fails.
Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach
told the conferees at it's opening
yesterday that it must not be per-
mitted to Iail"
Harvey O'Connor, union public
relations director, told reporters the
announcement that national strike
had been authoritarian announce
ment read to the conciliators and
to eporterS-" meant a strike
Minutes later o. A. Knight, Fort
Worth (TeXO union international
president. burst into the lobby and
told reporters and his own collea CUES
that this doesn't mean a strike has
been called-it means a strike has
been authorized if this conference
fails"
Immediate Effect in Doubt.
Immediate effect of the unions
spectacular announcement on the
conference, regarded in Washington
as testing administration postwar
labor policies. could not be deter
mined.
Justice William L. Knous of the
Colorado Supreme Court, presiding,
hurriedly talked with Mr. Knight
and other union officials in the
hotel lobby, then went into an
other closed session with industry
representatives only.
Mr.. Knight refused to tell re-
porterS his union membership. say
ing We have enough to do the
job but O'Connor said a complete
Walkout by this union would affect
100000 workers in the industry.
$4,000 Out in States.
Approximately $4,000 oil workers
already are on strike in seven States,
tieing up large number of re-
fineries and other gasoline and oil
products plants.
Mr.. O'Connor made the estimate
that a Nation wide Walkout by the
dlIOll NUuIu lllkOIN6 LOU.UUU.
The Cancellation conference pre-
sided over by Justice William L.
knous of the Colorado Supreme
Court at the request of the Labor
Department, was regarded in Wash
lngton as the first major test of
the administration postwar labor
policies under Secretary of Labor
Snbv-o1lor u;
COnciliation service.
There had been no disclosure of
what was accomplished. if any,
thing, in the first days sessions
yesterday
Mr.. O'Connor read to reporters a
statement which he said was pre-
sented by the union at the con-
ference opening today. 1t said
The International Xecutive
Council Cof the OWIUD recognizes
the fact that the oil industry has
forced the international union into
a strike situation through unilateral
action on tie industrys part to
reduce hours and earnings. thus
making it necessary that the Oil
w w hCIo . 1IlGCI ia GlOildI OIllUII mar
shal all its forces in defense of
its membership
Will Use Full Facilities.
Therefore. the International
Executive Council authorizes and
instructions the international pres
ident %. A. Knight. Fort Worth.
Tex to take charge of present
strike conditions and coordinate
such activities as are necessary
in the seven districts (of the unionJ
SO that full facilities of the union
are employed to a successful con-
cluSion.'
Frank L. Fernbach of Pittsburgh.
who said he was a special repre-
sentative of the CIO United Steel
Workers of America, told reporters
he was attending the oil strike con-
ference at request of Philip Muir
ray, CIO president, with inStruc-
tions to cooperate with all parties
IN an effort to obtain a speedy
solution of this Situa ton
Representatives of nine major oil
companies were at the conference.
They contended the strikes, which
hit in Texas, Illinois, Indiana
Michigan. Ohio, West Virginia and
Massachusetts, violated terms of
present collective bargaining con-
tract agreements between the union
and rOOoOaDiec