Evening star., 1946-02-23
Lewis Hints He Plans
To Attempt 10 Break
New Pay-Price Policy
By james Y. Newton

john l.. Lewis and the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor blasted
away today at the Governments
new wage-price policy, with the
mine leader indicating he will
attempt to breach the formula
when he negotiates a new con-
tract with soft coal operators,
probably next month.
Mr.. Lewis has scheduled meeting
of the United Mine Workers Policy
Committee here. March II. The
committee formulates demands for
wages and other improvements in
working conditions.
In radio broadcast, the mine
leader declined to say what his new
demands will be and lodged a
question as to whether mine strike
would be called to support the de-
mands.
When asked on the radio forum
whether the miners would fight for
wage boosts in excess of ones which
could be given under President Tru-
mans new wage-price policy, Mr.
Lewis said:
Certainly the miners will expect
their problems to be settled on the
merits of the questions affecting the
coal industry"
Meantime, the AFL, in its publi-
cation 'Labor's Monthly Survey" de-
scribed the new policy as body
blow at free collective bargaining"
that will bring workers loss in the
long run" because of increased liv-
ing costs
The publication said unions out
side the federation" (referring to
CIO unions) had called "simultan-
eouS strikes in basic industries, with
uncompromising demands -
designed to force Government in
tervention with fact-finding boards |
and wage formulas.
ITO meet their demands, the Pres
ident broke the steel price ceiling,
then issued his drastic wage-price
order of February IA to deal with
the consequences of this price break.
so the Government again inter-
venes between workers and manage
ment, collective bargaining is again
frozen and all workers put under
rigid wage controls.
"All workers will be robbed of part
of their wage gains, for the broken
price line will bulge upward and
living costs will rise"
The AFL estimated the new policy
will result in an to 10 per cent
increase in the cost of living.
Decision Up to Committee.
New wage-price policy provides
for the easing Of prices to allow |
workers wage boosts in line with in
dustry or area patterns set since
VI day or to meet recommended
tions of Federal Fact-f1nding Boards.
The policy allows industry its aver
age earnings of the 1936-1939 period.
Mr.. Lewis said his miners expect
their problems to be settled ION the
merits" and not on the basis of any
new policy. He added that ANY
question of policy" as to strike ac-
ton in support of any new wage de-
mands on the soft coal industry will
have to wait decision of the Policy
Committee.
He said the miners always hope
that it will not be necessary to
strike" and added that he could not
anticipate that question at this
moment" when pressed for an
answer as to possibility of a coal
walkout.
The mine leader declared the
hours OF work of the miners would
be considered by the Policy Com
mittee.
THE miners are working nine
hours a day under ground, which
is longer than the miners of any
other country and longer than any
other industry in America" he con-
tinued.
Soft coal miners are working
54-hour week of six days at present.
The basic work week in their con-
tract is IS hours.
Blames Price Control. /
Mr.. Lewis blamed the administra-
ton price control for the postwar
loss in production of steel and auto
mobiles When asked if he thought
industry had acted properly in re-
fusing, as he said, to furnish its
products at the 1912 price suggested
by OPA, Mr.. Lewis said:
Certainly think that individuals
who have money invested are under
no obligation to dissipate their in
vestment and market their goods at
a loss"
He said he enthusiastically dis
agreed with Walter Reuther, vice
president Of the CIO auto workers
in charge of the General Motors
strike and wage negotiations, who
has insisted that prices are tied to
wages.
Mr.. Lewis said the AFL, which he
rejoined last month, Eat the present |
moment is a more American type
organization than the Go"
Pressed Immediately for an ex-
planation, Mr.. Lewis said, "I mean
it is dedicated to the principles of
perpetuating free institutions of
America.
"It stands against collectivism and
against the Capitalization of controls
in the Government. 1t does not con-
stantly depend on the Government
to make all decisions affecting the
policies of organized labor"
IN 000-Tnn Inrrnasa