Evening star., 1948-05-20
Still Time Left
For Coal Talks,
Lewis Insists
UNIV Chief 'DepIores'
Idea Thut Strike Is
Inevitable June 80
By james Y. Newton

Asserting that there is still
time to establish constructive
wage negotiations" John L. Lewis
said today he "deplores' talk
that a new coal strike is in
evitable June 80 when the pres
ent United Mine Workers con-
tract expires.
The UNIV leader made that state
ment at news conference while
substantial group of the soft coal
operators were considering resuming
negotiations with him. Formal
talks about a new contract collapsed
yesterday.
The operators are considering
sending Mr.. Lewis letter inviting
the UNIV to new negotiations at
the Shoreham Hotel.
There have been forecasts of a
probable mine stoppage June 80 as
result of the breakdown of nego-
tiations. But Mr.. Lewis told re-
porters there is still time for nego-
tiations provided coal operators are
willing.
Wants Pension Plan Assured.
The mine workers leader made it
| clear that he wants a miners PEN
sion plan and other welfare benefits
assured in the new contract. He
declared that failure to activate the
miners welfare fund in a new coal
contract will create convulsions of
anger along the working mine
workers OF this country"
The present contract provides for
a welfare fund created from a pay
ment Thy the operat tors) Of 10 cents
ton for each ton of coal mined.
This fund now amounts to nearly
S5O,0OO.00O but thus far no pension
plan has actually been put into
operation.
First, the trustees of the fund.-
were unable to agree on one. Thom-
as Murray, neutral trustee, with
drew because of disputes between
Mr.. Lewis and Ezra Van Horn,
operators trustee.
Senator Bridges. Republican. Of
New Hampshire who replaced Mr..
Murray, got together with Mr.. Lewis
on a SlOO-a month plan for elderly
miners, but Mr.. Van Horn has gone
to court to block it.
Policy Committee Meets.
Mr.. Lewis talked with reporters
after a meeting of the UMW's 200
man Policy Committee.
He named Benjamin Fairless,
president of the United States Steel
Corp: George Humphrey, president
Of the M. A Hanna Coal Co., and
James Francis, head of the Island
Greek Coal Co., as men who have
it within their power to remove
blocs now in the way to successful
negotiation of new contract.
Mr.. Lewis said:
THE responsibility this year for
peace or war in the coal industry
clearly devolves upon these three
men,"
He said Mr.. Fairless is the con-
trolling factor in coal mines owned
by steel companies, that Mr.. Hum
phrey controls heavy Midwest inter-
ests and that Mr. Francis controls
Southern production.
LAS a matter of fact it SINNERS
down." Mr.. Lewis said, ito deci-
sion of two men-namely Fairless
and Humphrey.
Others Would Have to Follow.
Because ii they elect to make an
agreement, Francis tonnage. the
tonnage in the Midwest and the
tonnage in the Far West would
have no alternative, but to follow
just the same as happened in 1947,"
Mr. Lewis charged that the coal
operators have blocked "activation'
of the welfare fund-meaning they
are to blame because no pension
system is yet in force.
! The formal wage conference be-
tween the operators and the UNIV
collapsed yesterday when Mr., Lewis
refused to accept Joseph E. Moody
as negotiator in his capacity as
president of the Southern Coal Pro-
ducers' Association. In statement
(See COAL, Page A-5D