Evening star., 1947-07-08
Pact Signed Lewis Declares War
On LaborAct Blasts Republicans
And SCOTS at Tafts '48 Chances
IS Per Cent ofCou|
IndustryCovered
In Best Contract
By jones Y. Newton

John L. Lewis today signed a
new contract for his United Mine
Workers with nearly IS per cent
Of the soft coal industry and
said that "it is reasonable to as
sumo that within a few days it
Cthe contract) will be accepted
by the entire industry"
Mr.. Lewis, at a triumphant news
conference after ratification of the
contract, declared war on members
of Congress who voted for the new
Taft-Hartley Act, excoriated the
Republican Party and declared that
Senator Taft, co-author of the new
labor law, will not be able to carry
his home State of Ohio if he runs
for President.
The pact, giving unprecedented
gains in wages and other concessions
to the miners, already has been
signed by all interests except the
commercial producers of the South
and few in the Far West.
Most of the Nations 100000
miners who stayed away from work
today because of delay in drafting
the contract were expected now to
report to their jobs.
Ceremony at UNIV Office.
Representatives of operators in
the following States signed the con-
tract in ceremonies at the United
Mine Workers headquarters: The
captive" or steel company interests
in all States: Pennsylvania, North
ern West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois. In addition, George F.
Campbell, head of the Illinois group,
signed for the Union Pacific Coal
Co. of Wyoming, largest producer in
the Far West.
Mr.. Lewis referred to the new
contract as "a bread-and-butt
agreement" which has more real
value for the individual mine work.
ers than has hitherto been negotl-
ated in this or any other industry
through collective bargaining.
He said the agreement was won
sin spite of the slave Taft law"
For the past six months the So
called best brains of Congress have
been working to scuttle the United
Mine Workers" Mr.. Lewis continued.
This act of Congress (Taft-Hart-
ley) is monstrosity. American Ia
Dor should oppose every effort at
moderating it or attempts to make
it respectable. They should engage
in an unrelenting fight until it is
wiped from the statute books in en-
tirety.
Says Republicans "Stay Bought"
Taft sought by the act to reduce
the workers of America to the status
of second-class citizens. These free
born Americans will forever resent
that classification by Taft and his
ilk in Congress.
"* ." 1t is obvious the Republican
Party sold out to financial industry
for cash contributions to the last
congressional elections. One
thing that can be said about the
Republican Congress: They stay
bought Taft will not be able to
carry his nome oIdIe Ol OlllO IL Ile
runs for the presidency"
Members of the Southern Coal
Producers Association, representing
nearly Is per cent of national pro-
duction and the only major indus
try segment yet signed, were meet
ing this afternoon to decide their
course. Mr. Lewis said, however, the
contract was being offered the
Southerners on a take-it-or- leave
it" basis. There was little doubt
but that most of them would ac-
cept.
'No-Strike Clauses Eliminated.
The contract extends through
June 30, 1943, and the entire agree
ment may be reopened by 80 days
notice of either party. Stricken from
the contract are all no-StriKe clauses,
and provisions for flies of workers
who engage in unauthorized strikes.
Written into it is clause that the
miners will work when able and
willing" and a provision which
makes it a breach of contract for
operators to take court action in
settlement of any dispute.
Mr.. Lewis also won these major
concessions:
|. An increase in the basic hourly
(See COAL, Page A-4D