The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-05-22

CoOuaanusd from Rass D

Krug had the job of keeping the miners at work as well as negotiat- Ing new contract.
 Lewis gave no indication whether he would tell the miners to remain at work. While arguments could be given for either side, the weight of the evidence suggested that the miners would stop work Saturday unless Government wage agree ment is reached by then.
 Lewis would not order the miners to strike because this would violate the Smith-C Connolly War Labor Disputes Act. But if he fails to tell the miners to stay on the job, they will cease work at midnight Saturday. When Lewis ordered them back to work after crip- bling six-week strike, he limited the truce to two-week period which will expire at that time.
 Worked In Response To Lewis
 During the war the miners did not work in response to Government seizure of the mines except on or ders from Lewis. They struck June 1 and June 20, 194S, with the mines in Government" from June 2 to Oct. 31, 1943, but they struck again Nov. 1. The Government then seized the mines again, but the min- CTS continued their walkout for a week while Lewis negotiated a con- tract with then Secretary of Inter- for Harold l.. IckeS.
 The Smith Connally Act does not prohibit strikes in Government operated properties. It specifically provides that an individual worker remaining away from his job is not violating the act. It does, however, forbid any person from engaging in activity, which presumably must be overt activity, to encourage strikes or other interruptions of production in properties in government possess sion.
 Krug disclosed that Lewis was asked yesterday whether the miners would work. He quoted Lewis as say ing the Smith Connally Act left the decision to individual workers and prohibited unions from interfering with its members in Government operated property. While the act would prohibit a union ordering a strike in such property, it would not prevent union from instructing it's members to work.
 We requested his support" Krug told reporters. He has that under consideration"
 Question Considered
 It was understood that President Truman revealed seizure plans last Sunday to Lewis and Charles O'Neill, spokesman for the mine operators negotiating committee Presumably both sides have had the question under consideration since then.
 O'Neill notified MT. Truman yes terday that the operators would CO operate by managing the mines fol the Government. He said they ex' pected to be consulted in any Gov ernment contract negotiations witt Lewis and to be given price relic to cover any increase in costs.
 Krug said the operators would b' given an opportunity to state thei' views.
 Asked if Lewis was planning t' call the unions 25O-member polio. committee to Washington, Krui quoted Lewis as saying there wa some question whether the commit tee could act under the Smith, Con nally Act. The U. M. w. chief ap parently meant that any committee man who spoke in opposition t working for the Government with out a contract would be in violation of the law.
 Coincident with the seizure, tn Smith Connally Act also outlawe picketing activity, which has kep some Pennsylvania mines close during the truce. The Governmen prosecuted about 30 U. M. w. mem hers who picketed Government-con
 trolled mines during the war.
 MT. Truman took the expecte seizure step at P. M. (EDTJ yes
 terday. Government labor official
 had said seizure was the only cours
 left after Lewis and the operator
 refused last Thursday to subm;
 their dispute to arbitration.
 The seizure order instructed tn
 War Department, at Krugs requeS
 to provide protection for mines an
 miners.
 Krug immediately appealed to tn
 miners to remain at work durin
 Government operation. He warne
 that another shutdown would
 disastrous" and that the natio
 might spend years recovering frol
 it.
 At the same time, he announce
 the appointment of Vice-Admir'
 Ben Moreell, chief of the Navy Material Division, as Deputy Co Administrator. Moreell was give
 the assignment because of his hane ling of seized oil refineries ar ', pipelines last Fall.
 Krug also issued an order takir , possession of the mines and desil ,. hating the president or chief execl tive officer of each mining compar |. as the Governments operating mal
 ager. The order required that eat , mining property display the Anne : ican flag and post notice sayil a that the Government had takt . possession.
 : firemen, and the IS non-operatiI 5 brotherhoods. All of these oth unions are demanding 8 wage il crease bigger than the $l.28 a d.