Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-01
Miners
Continued From First Page.)

and Is cents, respectively, for Sec
ond and third shifts. affecting ap-
proximately 80 per cent of the
miners)
1t was the first time that the
UNIV and coal operators had bar
gained for a contract for bituminous
mines on national scale. Repre-
sentatives of nearly all mines hav-
ing agreement with Mr.. Lewis union
were on hand. Objective of the ne
gotiations was to reach agreement
in accord with Government stabili-
cation policy before the current
mine contract expires March 81.
May Occupy Several Weeks.
First order of business of the con-
ference at the Shoreham Hotel was
to set up organization for the par
ley, which may continue for several
weeks.
Mr.. Lewis deferred presentation of
the miners demands at the opening
session of the conference this morn
ing and the meeting adjourned until
3 o'clock this afternoon to complete
organizational arrangements.
Delegates of miners and operators
unanimously elected Ezra Van Horn
of the Ohio Coal Operators Associa-
ton as chairman of the conference.
Thomas Kennedy, treas
urer of the UNIV, was named secre-
tary.
Two committees were appointed
to process credentials of delegates
and set up rules for the conference.
The committee on credentials in
cludes Kenneth A. Spencer, Kansas
City, Kans.; Harry M. Moses, Pitts
burgh, and H. E. Howard, Chicago,
for the operators, and John OLeary,
UNIV vice president; John r. Jones,
Cumberland, Md, and Frank Heffer-
ly, Denver, for the miners.
The Rules Committee includes
Charles ONeill, Altoona, Pa; George
Campbell, Chicago, and Edward R.
Burke, the former Nebraska Senator,
who is president of the Southern
Coal Producers Association, for the
operators, and Mr.. Kennedy, John
Owens, Columbus, Ohio, and George
j. Titler, Beckley, w. Va, for the
miners.
Mr.. Lewis has maintained strict ST.
lence as to what new concession will
be sought, and there was some indi-
cation he might postpone presenta-
ton until tomorrow because of COM
petition OF President Roosevelt's APP
pearance before Congress.
Mr.. Lewis, in asking for a strike
vote, argued that dispute already
exists over the new contract because
inspired" Government statements.
warning of possible effect of a coal
strike to the war effort, prejudiced
the miners case in advance of nego-
itationS.
The operators. disagreeing that
dispute could arise before the wage
talks even start, said they entered
the conference with a sincere and
honest desire to attain in the speed
lest possible manner, and without
any threat or intimation to the
country of suspension of produce
ton. fair and equitable agree
ment in accordance with the laws of
this Nation"
Our haRds are not tied in any
way and our minds are free and
open," they said.
In a joint statement representing
80 per cent of the 478 operators
holding contracts with the UNIV.
the mine owners said both labor
and management held the com
pelling obligation and duty to give
to our country in this most critical
hour the greatest possible produce
ton of coal, without interruption"
They urged that "the usual differ
ences and squabbles, charges and
countercharges should be laid aside
rs long as a single life among our
lighting forces is at stake"