Evening star., 1946-12-10
Industries Reopening
AsCoaI Production
Hits 65% Of Normal
BY the Associated Press

by me AsSoctofeo FTesS
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1o.-Soft coal
production mounted steadily today
over the Nation with output already
past IS per cent Of normal, and with
the last groups OF idle miners pre-
pairing to return to work.
The Solid Fuels Administration at
Washington reported production
yesterday-the first working day
after the bituminous strike ended
was about 100000 tons, or 6s per
cent of what it was before John L.
Lewis, United Mine Workers presi-
dent, terminated his unions con-
tract with the Government.
Quickening industrial activity was
noted on every hand as coal again
flowed from mines to factories. Dis
trict production reports were: Cen
trail Pennsylvania producing about
100000 tons daily, or IS per cent OF
normal; Western Pennsylvania -
100000 tons, or rs to 80 per cent;
Northwestern Virginia, 10000 tons,
IS to 80 per cent; Ohio-167 ,225 tons,
or rs per cent, with several mines
still idle; West Virginia Panhandle
all mines working; West Virginia
smokeless coal region-1s,574, or rs
to 80 per cent, with a large number
of idle mines.
In several instances return to work
was delayed by various grievances,
notably protests against the 81 a
day fines imposed as penalty for
the strike.
Ohio's largest mine-the Powhatan
at Bellaire, Ohio-was idle today as
TOO miners quit work protesting the
fines.
The fines, averaging 81 per man,
were to be deducted from their pay
envelopes by the company today.
The money will 60 into the miners
welfare fund.
Seeks to Arrange Vote.
Adolph Pacifico, president Of UNIV
District 6, was trying to get the men
to return to work. He sought to
arrange a meeting at which the
union members would vote on
whether to return.
Meanwhile, walkouts for the same
reason at three other mines were
scheduled to end today after miners
voted to 60 back to work
They were at the Dunglen mine
of the Hanna Coal Co., employing
500; the Blaine mine of the Lorain
Coal g. Dock Co., also employing 500,
and the Rail & River No. mine.
Refuse to Wear Helmet.
Another mine in Pennsylvania was
shutdown briefly because miners re-
fused to dig with fellow worker
who was wearing q safety-type
plastic helmet.
The 600 miners at the Mariana
mine returned to their homes yes
terday when in protest of the helmet
incident, but the mine superintend-
ent's Office reported work was
resumed today after the miner con-
cerned agreed to wear soft hat.
The miners say the helmets are
uncomfortable, but their use is
specified in the-GeveFnment-U UMW1f
contract.
Many plants said the first delivery
of coal was not expected until
Wednesday,, but forged ahead any
way with what fuelsxas still on hand.
II Operations Resuming.
In the youngstown area, the
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. was
expected to resume normal opera
ton. It was well along in the re-
storing of blast furnace and open
hearth operation.
The return-to-work movement
was in full force at Chicago and
plants hoped to return the last fur
loughed worker to the payroll within
q very few days. Steel mills operat-
turn orders caused some
idleness. Unwillingness to work with
ing rates, expected to be at 78 per
cent this week, should return to
q normal 80 per cent by next week,
an industry spokesman declared.
The Pennsylvania Railroad an
nounced one group of withdrawn
trains in the Western region would
be:returned to service today and the
remainder tomorrow.
In Western Pennsylvania, where
about $1,000 Of the districts $4,000
miners were on the job yesterday,
Harry A. Sutler, regional manager
of the Solid Fuels Administration,
said he knew of only Is idle pits.