Evening star., 1948-10-08
Lewis Warns Of UNIV
Action IfCoa| Industry
Fails in Job Stability
By jones Y. Newton
Stor Stcff Correspendent

By jones Y. Newton
ster steff Correspondent
CINCINNATI, Oct. g. The Ma
tion's coal industry was on notice
today from John L. Lewis that, If
employers fail to stabilize employ
ment in times of economic stress,
the United Mine Workers will take
matters into their own hands.
Mr.. Lewis warned the Nations S
40th convention that signs of re-
cession already are multiplying in
the industry He pointed to drop
in coal export, the closing of some
mines and other indications of
over production.
When this market condition
comes to point in the bituminous
industry, Mr.. Lewis told the 5000
cheering delegates, that it threat
ems the stability of our contract and
the working conditions of our peo-
pie. when the disparity of employ
ment gets to point where it con-
stitutes rank injustice and lack
of opportunity for our members to
work, the United Mine Workers it
self may find it necessary to ad-
wise our members how many days
q week they need to work"
Self Preservation Involved.
He said the UNIV has the con-
tractural right to make its own
plans for spreading employment by
telling the members just how long
to work. He referred to that part
Of the soft coal contract which
states that the miners will work
only when willing and able
1T Is matter Of self-preserva-
tion for our mine workers." Mr.
Lewis continued. 1T is a matter of
self preservation for the investors in
the industry. If the operators of
this country can't give any leader
ship on the commercial side of this
industry, the United Mine Workers
can and will.
When evil days come upon this
industry, YOU will find the United
Mine Workers moving in and if
there are only three days work in
this industry, we will all have three
days work.
These things are of the utmost
Importance. Conditions are not now
as they were in the old days. Years
ago, our contracts were staggered
and they expired at different times.
Large segments of the industry were
not organized. and the men had to
work under inhuman conditions
All "Starve Together"
Mr.. Lewis said there were many
years when coal operators were un-
able to pay dividends to stockholders,
or taxes to Government or decent
wages to employees but that the
UNIV had redeemed this industry
economically"
80 if need be, the mine workers
are prepared to move into that field
Of sterilization Of this industry, and
II We are going to starve in this in
dustry at any time, We will just all
starve together"
The convention. which will run
through Wednesday, still has nu-
merous important decisions to make.
There will be action on the Lewis
proposal for a 100 per cent increase
in monthly dues to 81, the matter
of raising the $25,000 year salary
of Mr.. Lewis and that of other Off
GERS, so9e more political action and
the important report of the union
Wage Scale Committee. which will
be the basis for next years contract
negotiate tions with the mine operators.
Delegates yesterday heard John
T. Jones, director of Labor's Nom
partisan League, a UNIV organiza-
ton, tell them for whom to vote in
Congressional elections.
One Republican Endorsed.
Mr.. Jones gave outright indorse-
ment to six Democratic candidates
and one Republican for the Senate.
all Of whom are involved in key con-
tests in the hot battle for party con-
troll of the Senate.
The lone Republican favored is
Senator Cooper Of Kentucky. AL
though he supported the Taft
Hartley Act, Mr. Jones said, his over
ali labor record is good and that, in
any event, he is better candidate
than his Democratic opponent. Rep
resentative Chapman.
The Democrats receiving UNIV
support are Matthew Neely Of West
Virginia, former Gov Kerr Of Okla
homa. Representative Kefauver Of
Tennessee. Senator Johnson OF
Colorado former Gov. Hunt of Wy
oming and Senator Murray of Mon
tana. Mr.. Jones said later the
miners are backing Mayor Hubert
Humphrey against Senator Ball in
Minnesota and Paul Douglas
against Senator Brooks in Illinois.
Meanwhile, the UNIV gave tor
the first time the size of the men,
bership Of its catch-all District so,
has placed workers of many differ
ent crafts and industries. 1t was
the organization where Mr.. Lewis
announced that District so now has
in excess of 100000 members in
more than 1900 different locals in
nearly every State.