Evening star., 1948-04-12

Horn 'dlSSented for various reasons
which he considers fundamental"
Lewis Accepts "RegretfulIy."
He offered no explanation as to
how he was able to present settle
ment of the pension dispute after
entering the case only yesterday.
The copies of his long statement,
along with his resolution giving de-
tails of the plan, were already MINI
eographed at the trustees news con-
ference which began at so:35 Ain
The trustees started a meeting cnfy
an hour before. 4ssrs.-
Mr.. Iswis said he accepted Tie
Bridges plan somewhat regret
fully" However, he said he was
conscious of a commitment to House
Speaker Martin as well as thessfss
GUS economic situation of the co,irl-
try as a result of the long nine
shutdown. It was MI. Martin who,
won agreement from Mr.. Lewis and
Mr.. Van Horn on the appointment
OF Senator Bridges as neutral
trustee.
The UNIV has MEMBERSHIP
mated by the operators at 10000
at some mines which have not
signed the coal contract and hence
are not contributing to the retire
ment fund. Mr.. Bridges did not say
how pensions could be given them
legally, but his statement said the
trustees decisions ARE not un-
changeable."
Calls Plan "Tenta tive"
Mr.. Bridges described his plan as
tentative" understanding, a basis
under which the miners may re-
turn to work He said he did not
attempt to deal with legal or actu-
arial matters" but that he would
give the whole pension subject sex
haustive" study SO that the trustees
would be able to work out final de-
tails of the pension agreement.
He pointed to the grave economic
consequences to the country If the
mines remain idle. adding:
II feel keenly my responsibility
to the people to help get the miners
back into the pits. In this time of
national stress, it is unthinkable
that differences of opinion over the
Interpretation of an existing con-
tract should be allowed to place the
security of our country and the well
fare of our people in jeopardy"
Despite the description of the
plan as tentative" it was not ex-
pected that Mr.. Lewis in negotia-
tions on a final arrangement would
take less than provided in the basic
points of Senator Bridges. But the
Senator referred to even the 500
size of monthly retirement pay
ment as not final
No Estimate From Operators.
His resolution called for the i'm
mediate setting aside of 5000 900
from the present fund. presumably
to start the pension payments. The
fund. supplied by a 10 cents per ton
royalty" on all coal produced, now
totals about $4,000 ,000 The con-
tract provides that 1t is to cover a
number of welfare uses besides PEN
sions, including benefits for death,
sickness and accidents.
There was no estimate from the
operators Immediately as to the
full cost of the Bridges pension
plan. but they had placed the cost
of Mr.. Lewis demands at about As
cents a ton.
During the court proceedings be-
fore Justice Goldsborough, UNIV
Attorney Welly H. Hopkins read a
telegram from Mr. Lewis to the
miners which apparently was the
official back-to-work order. I'll
presumably was sent before the pen
sion agreement was announced, but
indicated Mr.. Lewis anticipated the
agreement
"Officially" Advised to Return.
The message read:
This message is for your Of
fetal information and for imme-
diate transmission to all members
of the union The trustee vacancy
in the l947 Welfare Fund has now
been filled by the selection of the
Honorable H. Styles Bridges who
has accepted the appointment An
early resolution of the questions at
issue may now be expected. Your
voluntary cessation of work should
now be terminated and your pro-
test ended.
1T is the belief OF the interna-
tional union and your officers that