Evening star., 1948-02-10
|operatoIs Say Ching
Hands Club 10 Lewis
In Ban on Coal Strike
BY Jones Y. Newton

Southern coal operators said
today that Cyrus 8. Ching, head
of the Federal Mediation and
Cancellation Service, had pro-
vided John Z. Lewis with a club
with which To get new wage de-
mands by sdeclaring that the
Government will not permit a
soft coal strike this spring.
Mr.. Ching made the statement
last night at q dinner of the South
ern Coal Producers Association His
remarks drew immediate comment
from the operators.
They said Mr.. Ching in effect had
handed Mr.. Lewis a loaded gun when
he enters negotiations with the op-
orators. The United Mine Workers
contract does not expire until June
80, but 1t can be reopened with 80
days notice under its terms and so
days notice under the Taft-Hartley
Act. Many operators expect Mr..
Lewis to serve notice Of reopening
dUOAu &NAca4 III As
Says Lewis Has Ace, in Hole.
Lewis comes into the negotiations
with an ace in the hole" Raymond
Salvati, West Virginia operator, said
in commenting on the Ching re-
marks. ..
"If we cannot get together and
his demands are such that We can
not concede them, the Government
would step In and grant Lewis what
he wants.
He knows that the only way the
Government can get coal is to give
in"
Mr.. Ching said fatty the Nation
will not tolerate coal stoppage."
If a strike develops, "the Govern
ment will step in," he added.
Refers to Emergency Provision.
I'm that case" he admitted, "it
will be settled by somebody who
does not know as much about the
situation as you do"
Mr.. Ching referred to Govern
ment plans to invoke national
emergency provisions of the Taft
Hartley Act in event OF a threat
of coal strike. Such action would
not necessarily prevent a stoppage,
but could delay one long time.
Mr.. Lewis already has taken what
the industry regards as the first
step toward reopening the mine
work contract. He has notified the
operators that a dispute exists over
his demand for $l00-a-month
pension for miners 90 or older who
have 90 years service in the mines.
The labor relations law provides
that in reopening a contract so
days notice must be given. The
Government can delay strike an
other 80 days by employing national
emergency provisions Of the law.
Lewis May Ignore Taft Act.
However, many persons look for
Mr.. Lewis to ignore the Taft-Hart-
ley Act, which he bitterly opposes.
Joseph E. Moody, president of the
Southern Association. said many
operators look for Mr.. Lewis to
drop the other shoe" around
March II
Mr.. Ching told the operators that
lit is up to them and the miners to
make. their own agreement. The
Cancellation Service will help It
asked, he said, but the Government
cannot afford to stand by while q
strike cripples the Nation.
Mr.. Ching said he does not know
whether Mr.. Lewis actually is think
ing about a walkout,
VIII Deal With Entire Group.
IF could ever say to you what
Mr.. Lewis has in his mind" Mr..
Ching told the producers, II would
not wear a hat-I'd wear a halo"
He said If the Mediation Service
is asked to step in he will, deal with
the whole Southern Association.
Mr.. Lewis refused to recognize
the association last summer after it
refused to go along with other
producer groups in concessions to
the UNIV. He forced the companies,
in West Virginia, Virginia, Ken
lucky and Tennessee, to sign the
July contract individually.
The contract provided for a roy
atty of 10 cents a ton which goes
into health and welfare fund for
the miners.
The producers contend that the
new pension plan would not work
without still bigger royalty.
Mr.. Lewis has been out of town
and associates refused to say where.
Esperanto Glasses Tonight