Evening star., 1945-02-26
80 Days Notice
On Strike Vote
Filed by Lewis
Inspired Statements
By Federal Officials
Hit by UNIV Leader
BY JAMES Y. NEWTON.

days notice under the Smith
Connally Act that his United
Mine Workers might have to take
a strike vote because inspired"
Government statements had
prejudiced new contract negotia-
tion with bituminous mine op-
orators.
Mr.. Lewis formally notified Secre-
tary of Labor Perkins in two letters
that a dispute" already existed be-
tween the miners and bituminous
coal operators and that his Policy
Committee indorsed transmittal of
strike-vote notice
The mine leader admitted the
action might bring about strike con-
ditions but declared the miners
were "coerced into giving this
notice because of provisions of
that grotesque slave statute known
as the Smith-Connally Act" The
act provides for 30-day cooling
of" period before strike vote can
be taken legally.
UMW's Policy Committee began
sessions here today to formulate de-
mands for a new contract with the
bltuminous coal mine operators,
Contract negotiations with the
operators are scheduled to begin
Thursday at the Shoreham Hotel,
The present work contract expires
March 81.
Cites Inf1ammatory Statements.
Mr.. Lewis blamed inspired (Gov.
ernmenD press releases" and lin
hammatory" statements of Federal
officials as prejudicing the miners
case in advance of negotiations and
lmpelling" issuance of strike notice.
He wrote Secretary Perkins:
The United Mine Workers Of
America are on full notice from in
splred press releases of the last
several weeks that certain high Of
flcials in the Government intend
at the very first opportunity and
irrespective of the outcome of i'm
pending negotiations to invoke
against our members, without de-
day or limit, the full civil and penal
provisions of that grotesque slave
statute known as the Smith-Con-
molly Act
This attitude on the part of the
Government, including some of
those in the various departments
dealing with the coal industry it,
self, has been broadcast to the
country and dire predictions have
emanated from these sources, ap-
parently to propaganda the Amer
lean people into a hostile and en-
uttered attitude toward the mine
workers., even prior to the com.
mencement of wage-scale negotia-
ing"
Mr.. Lewis stated that this in
formation has been widely disselh-
mated among the operators and
they are well aware that the Gov
ernment, prior to negotiations, has
already begun, to cast the onus of
any potential stoppage on the
miners and not the operators. In
other words, the operators have
been openly invited by the Gov
ernment to adopt a status quo at
'tltude and thus render impotent and
futile any true collective bargain
ing ="
Quotes Veto Message.
He quoted President Roosevelt in
his message vetoing the Smith
Connally bill in June, l943. to the
effect that the legislation will pro-
duce strikes in vital war plants
which otherwise would not occur"
The miners, Mr. Lewis continued.
ARE earnestly desirous of avoiding"
work stoppage. There were four
major strikes during the biennial
negotiations.
Mr.. Lewis did not identify the
inspired Government statements,
though he said the present mine
situation lis being constantly in
f1amed by those very persons
charged with the duty of assisting
in the prevention of work stoppages
and loss of coal production. They
border on a conspiracy to prevent
an agreement, bring about seizures
and a general chaotic condition in
the industry" He added:
THE UMWA cannot and will not
silently allow such a situation to
arise. We denounce it and call upon
the Government and operators to
cease their hostile actions and to
adopt reasonable cooperative at
titude, conducive to obtaining a
new contract and continuous. un-
interrupted production of coal. The
waving of the big stick and pre-
maturely- issued Government threats
toward free men is not conducive
to good government or within the
concepts of freedom as envisioned
by the American people"
No Indication of Demands.
There was no immediate indi-
cation of what new contract de.
mands of the miners will be or
what effect the strike vote notice
would have on the pending nego-
tlations with operators.
Mr.. Lewis charged that threats
OF Federal mine seizure invite the
operators to adopt do nothing
attitude in negotiations, they know
ing full well that they have nothing
to fear by the camoufiaged proce-
dure which has left them practically
unimpaired in their operations.
I