Evening star., 1946-05-10
Volume Production by Monday
Promised by Mine Union Leader
Action 7 aiken Soon
After President
Calls PorIey
By jones Y. Newton

John l. Lewis today ordered
his mine workers to return to
work for lN-day period ending
May 25 to min> emergency fuel
to keep the Natio.a's most essen
tial services operating.
The truce was ordered at the di-
rection of the United Mine Workers
Policy Committe in kilograms sent
to all union locals.
Mr.. Lewis said volume production
will be under way by Monday, and
another union official estimated
that 22,0O0,OoO tons could be mined
during the truce.
The UNIV chief acted less than
an hour after President Truman in
vited him and representative of
the operators to White House con-
ference at q pm.
Text of Telegram.
The Lewis telegram read:
''The Policy Committee directs as
follows:
Il. That all mine workers at all
mines Immediately resume work for
the period ensuing, ending at mid
night Saturday, May 25.
''2. The local union president and
mine committee at each mine shall
call at once upon the local manage
ment and advise management of the
willingness of the mine workers to
return to work for the described
period, provided the company will
agree to pay the regular wages, plus
any increases that may be later ne
gotiated, retroactive, to cover this
temporary work period.
SO. When companies agree, local
unions will direct men to return to
work. Day men and cutting crews
can return Immediately and volume
production start Monday, May 13.
For Essential Facilities.
"This action is the contribution of
the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea to our Nations economy, which
is being imperiled by the stupidity
and selfish greed of the coal opera
tors and associated financial inter-
ests and by demagogues who have
tried to lash the public mind into a
state of hysteria rather than grant
justice and fair treatment to the
men who mine the Nations coal.
''The coal to be mined during this
tWo-Week period can be utilized for
consumption by essential facilities
and the Nation s health and security
thus safeguarded while efforts to
negotiate a contract continue.
Stand Firm on Contract.
'Let every member be assured
that the members of the National
Policy Committee are determined
to accept no contract that will not
give to the mine workers the essen
tial protection which is imperatively
required.
LET each member cooperate with
this policy"
The miners leader had summoned
neWsmen to the basement meeting
hall of his Policy Committee at
union headquarters, Fifteenth and I
streets NV.
Shortly after reporters were seat
ed. Mr.. Lewis doomed:
MAY the house be in order!"
Move Surprises Officials.
Mr.. Lewis then read the telegram
after telling the reporters that the
Policy Committee had Just author
lied him to send it.
The sudden move was a surprise
to Government officials. Solid
Fuels Administrator ]. A. Krug had
sounded out Mr. Lewis on the ros-
sibility of allowing his men to mine
emergency coal for the countrys
utilities and was to believe that Mr..
Lewis had rejected the idea.
Union officials had expressed the
belief that even short truce in the
40-day-old strike would weaken the
miners fight for health and fell
fare fund and other demands made
on the coal industry.
Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach
had announced the White House
meeting after lengthy conference
with Mr. Truman following the
weekly cabinet meeting. The Secre-
tary said Mr.. Lewis had accepted
thte invitation and that the opera
tors would select their representa-
tive.
Owners Name O'Neil.
Mr.. Schwellenbach refused to say
whether the President would have
(See COAL, Page A-6.)