Evening star., 1946-06-01
Coal Operators
Appear Ready
To Sign Contract
RecIoiming Of Mines
Expected if Price
Boost Is Sufficient
By james Y. Newton

SS~J eAAetO SAASy "oNAN o432A VAN
new Government work contract
with John L. Lewis miners and
reclaim the mines, provided OPA
will allow a coal price boost of
sufficient size to cover additional
cost of the agreement.
This development came after the
National Wage Sterilization Board
quickly approved the contract for
Federal operation of the mines
worked out with Mr.. Lewis by Sec
retary of Interior Krug, the Govern
ment mine boss. The board held
that all terms were within wage
price policy, including the s185-a-
day wage increase and the scent
per-ton welfare fund.
The overwhelming majority Of
operators want their mines back and
Will take this contract if a satisfac-
tory price adjustment is made" one
Of the most influential operators re-
marked.
Meeting Called Monday.
He said representatives Of mines
in all bituminous districts would
meet here Monday to discuss the
contract and the price relief neces-
sary to accept it.
Mr.. krug estimated that a price
increase to consumers of 25 cents a
ton would cover costs of the contract
provided the flve-day, 45-hour week
is worked generally in the industry.
II 1t is necessary to work six davs
10 meet coal requirements he in
dlcated a larger price boost would be
needed
Meanwhile, the PENNSYLVANIA an
tnraclte mines were closed for a
second day because of the strike of
10000 hard coal miners. From New
York, where negotiations between
Mr. Lewis union and operators now
are in the fourth week, there was
the report of no progress toward
drafting of new contract.
Mr.. krug indicated that seizure OF
the hard coal mines was a long wav
on, and expressed hope that a settle
ment of industry contract differences
could be reached on the basis of the
new soft coal agreement.
Boone to Direct Survey.
Ine Interior Secretary said he ey-
pected a majority of the operators
to accept the new contract and get
thelr mines back without trouble
and that some would sign up with
Mr.. Lewis in the next week or two
In the case of others, he added. it
may take longer.
Mr.. krug announced appointment
of Rear Admiral Joel T. Boone.
Navy Medical Corps, to direct the
survey of hospital, medical, sani-
tary and housing facilities in the
coal mining areas which is called for
IN the contract. Admiral Boone was
personal physician to Presidents
Harding, Coolidge and Hoover.
L believe that the Coal Mines
Administration can make a sub
stantlal contribution to the future
prosperity of the coal industry and
the betterment of the miners by
ascertaining at first hand what is
needed to improve living conditions
and then by providing the leader
ship to carry out the recommends
tlons made by Admiral Boone" Mr..
krug told a news conference.
There were indications that full
production of soft coal would be
attained Monday Already a sub
stantlal number of miners had re-
turned to work in West Virginia
and Alabama and a trickle in Penn
Sylvania and elsewhere.
Mr.. krug said he expected OPA
to act on the new coal price very
promptly"
The Wage Sterilization Boards
approval of the agreement, which
had the Endorsement of President
Truman. carried three Qualifications
OF working hours, paid holidays and
operation OF mines during the 1946
vacation period. The board said
these were included so that any pos
slble misunderstanding of the agree
ment would be avoided.
interpretive rules will be drawn
up concerning vacation payments to
workers who have not been on the
1oo continuously for one year. The
contract provides a S1O0 vacation
payment for those with at least a
years service and prorata payments
to those with less service.
The board said the health and
welfare program created for the coal
miners was consistent with the
practice" which had been developing
throughout substantial segments of
American industry" and that the
fund was in accordance with the
standards recognized by the board
in previous cases.
1t said the health and welfare
program came under the definition
OF "reasonableness" mentioned in
the Sterilization Act of 1912 and
therefore would not require any
government approval were it not
for the fact of Government opera
ton.
The 1912 law says that welfare
1unds found to be reasonable are
excluded from the statutory wage
control provisions.
Inc two industry members of the
board, Earl Cannon and A. Colman
Barrett, dissented from the decision
TO approve the contract. The indus
try members were willing to approve
the wage provision but voted against
approval OF all the other clauses of
the agreement.