The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-12
Coal Strike Threatening ReconveFsion
 Transportation m
 Kentucky Partially
 Roeumed
By UNITED PRESS


 Public transportation in Louisville Ky, was resumed on a partial basis today, but the possibility of Q strike in the soft coal fields continued as a threat to the nations industrial reconversion.
 Hope was seen for an early end to the five-day-old Louisville strike after officials of the disputing uu- ions agreed to e consent" election to determine bargaining agen. for employees of the city transit system.
 Members of an independent union returned to their jobs almost trn- mediately, and C.IO. transport wor- kers scheduled 8 meeting today to study a back-to-work proposal.
 The demands of the United Mine Workers (A.F.L.) framed by the unions 2OO-man wage policy com mittee, included higher wages, shorter work week, recognition of foremen and a union royalty on all coal produced. A deadlock on any of the demands could precipitate a nationwide mine shutdown April ].
 Meanwhile, strikes and shutdoWns across the nation kept approx imately GAP, 900 workers away from their jobs.
 In the major labor developments:
 1. The C.I.O. auto workers Na- tional Ford Council appeared Eeaoy to approve the recently completed Ford contract for @ rank-and-f.le vote. The 100 man council reportedly adopted a resolution expressing confidence in the unions negotiate ing committee. !. 2. The JAWS leaders, resumed negoAations with General Motors in the ii2.day strike on publicly proclaimed note of unity in EtrtEe aims against the corporation.
 3. A subcommittee returned eu the Senate Labor Group watered.. down version of the House-approved Case bill, providing for the estab-' lishment of 6 national mediakinn board and voluntary arbitration or labor disputes.
 4. Postmaster General Robert E. Hannegan conferred with Demo- cratic Senators on administered atiofl efforts to obtain enactment of a 65-75 cents an hour minimum Wa8e bill without delay.
 Tentative agreement in the Louls- vile transit strike was achieved at a meeting last night between coxn- pany and union representatives and | Mayor F. Leland Taylor.
 Under the agreement, employees 01 the Louisville Railway Co. will 0e asked to choose between the CLIO transport workers union and tho independent union of Louisyills Railway Employes. An AFL. local at the last moment withdrew its ef- forts to get on the ballot.
 Coal industry and union officials were warned yesterday that then dispute must be settled within the bounds of the governments new wage-price policy.
 Economic Stabiliger Chester Bowles told a press conference that the policy applied to ell industries including coal, and that the govern ment could not make an exception for anybooy."
 He conceded the recent steel strikd had forced a revision in the policy but said the new one had to ssand
 Mine workers chieftan John T. Lewis has stated publicly that h1 will not be bound by restraints ol the wage-price policy, and industry spokesmen have contended that any wage adjustment would require price increase.
 The Senate subcommittee tossec out provisions of the House saool bill which would make unions anc companies liable in the courts fcl contract violations, ban violence during picketing and prohibit ua.rI boycotts. Instead, the proposed measure calls for five.naa1l hoard under the U. s. Cancellation SeEv... and calls for voluntary arbitration as a last resort in settling disputes