Evening star., 1948-10-07
Miners
Continued From First Page.)

Smith, Democrat, Of Virginia, were
among those whom the mine work.
ers will try to defeat.
Meanwhile, an increase of S25, 900
a year in the salary of Mr.. Lewis,
president of the United Mine Work.
ers. was reported to be under con-
sideration by the convention.
This would raise Mr.. Lewis sal
arv to $4,000. Yesterday UNIV
officers proposed that union dues
be doubled from approximately 81
per month to 81. It also was rec
commended that initiation fees be
increased fye-fold from the exist
ing $40 figure.
Reports were current here that
Mr.. Lewis would receive subStan-
tial increase IN salary and also that
the UNIV Scale Committee would
vote to hit the mine operators for a
sizable wage increase plus decrease
in the hourly work week to IS por-
tol-to-portal hours.
Medical Program Launched.
The UNIV. meanwhile, announced
the launching of their health and
medical care program under the
s1o0,000,000 per year health and
welfare program. Miss Josephine
Rache, director of the welfare fund
in the soft coal mines, said the pro-
gram was being started, with the
eventual objective of providing COM
plete medical and hospital care for
all soft coal miners and their de-
pendents.
Miss Roche and her associates
outlined a plan to utilize for the
present existing facilities in carrying
out the medical care program. How
ever, they plan eventually to erect
hospitals and whatever facilities are
necessary to provide all miners with
complete medical care.
Committees of the UNIV will
make recommendations to the cou-
vention on both Mr.. Lewis raise
and the wage increase demand. Mr..
Lewis under the union constitution
has received $4,000 a year. How
ever, the UNIV convention author
lied two years ago a salary increase
for him and the other officers. It
never has been revealed just what
pay they now are getting, but it is
known that the present convention
has been called on to raise the pay.
Contract Ends June 30.
The UNIV contract with soft coal
operators does not expire until next
June 30, but it is known that the
mine workers already have laid
plans to demand a pay increase and
a 35-hour week. The miners now
get s1405 for an eight-hour day
and 40-hour portal to portal week.
DR.. Warren F. Draper, chief medi-
cal officer of the Welfare Fund,
Joined Miss Roche in outlining plans
for spending the 100000, cooper
year welfare fund. He said that for
the present, existing facilities in the
various communities would be used
in supplying the miners with full
medical and hospital care, but IN
dicated that in order to take care
of all Of UNIV members. it probably
will be necessary to build new hos
pitfalls and hire additional doctors.
Mr.. Lewis and the other lnterna-
tional officers yesterday recommends
ed an increase IN the per-member
monthly dues OF about So to 81. The
initiation tee, also in the report that
was sure to be approved, would be
increased from $40 to $50. Bene-
flclarles OF the health and retirement
fund, who now ride free, also would
be charged 81 per month in the
plan proposed by Mr.. Lewis. r..
District so Exempted.
Members of District so, the catch
all organization in which Mr.. Lewis
brings in members of various trades
would be exempted from the dues
increase. The Lewis suggestion was
referred to committee which was
expected to report favorably on II
early next week. -
Mr.. Lewis was silent after launch
ing an attack on President Truman
two days ago that was more bitter
than any in modern times given by
o major political foe of presiden-
tial candidate.
A number Of the mine workers