Evening star., 1946-04-14
Soft Coal Shutdown,
Ending Second Week
May Last for Month
By james Y. Newton

The Nationwide soft coal strike
winds up second week today with
no sign OF break In sight and with
the more pessimistic mine operators
fearful that the shutdown might
last another month.
Operators and John L. Lewis Uni
ted Mine Workers marked time yes
terday while Secretary of Labor
SchWellenbach continued his search
for some basis on which to urge re-
sumption of contract negotiations.
The operators came forth with a
mild statement devoted largely to
mine safety, the main issue raised
by Mr.. Lewis, in which they said they
still desire to meet with the United
+ Mine Workers to negotiate an agree
ment" that would end the strike.
MIR. Lewis, usually quick in answer
ing every operator statement, did
not reply.
20 Million Tons Held Lost.
Federal officials estimate that pro-
duction Of considerably more than
100000 tons of coal already has
been lost by the strike, although
only few United States Steel Corp.
plants and fuel-carrying railroads
have been hard hit so far by the
work stoppage.
j. A. Krug, solid fuels adminis-
traitor, reported that soft coal pro-
duction in the first week of April,
also the first week of the strike,
dropped to 85o,0oO tons from more
than $4,000, 900 tons the week before
He said only 200 mines, employing
$4,000 men, are operating, compared
with 1000 shut down by the strike
The only mines running are some
nonunion strip operations and SIS in
Illinois worked by the Progressive
Mine Workers, not involved in the
strike.
Federal officials do not look for a
break in the strike until the pres
sure of industrial consumers, begins
to be felt in the negotiations. They
look for this pressure to develop in a
week or 10 days. BY that time, it |
is feared that many industrial plants |
will be forced to close for lack of
coal.
There were indications that Secre-
tary Schwellenbach might be
forced to mediate the dispute be-
fore agreement can be wrung from
Mr.. Lewis to meet again with the
operators. Some officials believe Mr.. |
Lewis will choose to remain aloof
unless the Secretary requests both
SIDES to meet with him. MI. SchWel-
lenbach so far has refused to take
such step.
Individual Conferences Called.
In the past two days, Labor De-
partment officials called in some of
the operators individually for con-
ferences. This caused resentment
among the other operators. Three
OF those summoned to such private
conferences were Harry Moses, ne
gotiator for the captive" or steel
company-oWned mines; George
Campbell, representative of Illinois |
mine interests, and Charles O'Neill, |
Central Pennsylvania.
Operators not invited to the Labor
Department feared an attempt by
the Government to split their ranks.
1t was pointed out that both Mr..
ONeill and Mr. Campbell entered
into separate agreements with Mr..
Lewis during the lengthy 1943 mine
troubles, while Mr. Moses two weeks
ago sought an individual arrange
ment from the union which would
permit operation of United States
Steel mines.
The operators, in their statement,
said that during the past three days
they had explained to Government
labor officials their position on the
issue of mine safety. These talks
have been with Mr.. Schwellenbach
and Special Conciliator Paul W.
Fuller.
I'VE still desire to meet with the
United Mine Workers to negotiate
an agreement and in this connection
emphasize our interest in develop
ing the most effective safety meas
ures that can be Jointly arrived at
and that can be Jointly accom-
pllshed," the operators said.
I'VE offer also an increase in
wages and an adjustment in hours
that will conform with the wage
price policy recently established by
the Government"