Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-27
Lewis May Enforce
3-Day Week Himself
Il Owners Reject Il

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS
W. Va. June 27.-Joan L. Lewis
today vas described as presenting
his proposal 70. a three day work
week TO the soft coal industry on
a take i. or -leave-iI basis.
Those operators who desire 70
keep their mines operating after
the present contract with the
UNIV expires Thursday can have
three days of production a week,
II they do not accept the pro-
posal. their mines would remain
closed when the 400 900 miners
vacation ends July S,
Although Mr.. Lewis remained
silent on the three day work
proposition he is known 10 have
made TO the operators. there was
also the distinct possibility that
II the mine owners rejected the
idea the UNIV will take matters
IN their own hands and enforce
the short week.
The proposal is another OF Mr..
Lewis ideas. his chief one IN fact,
TO stabilize production and markets
Of the coal industry. He has de-
clared already that should the pro-
ducers fail to cooperate in stab
ilizing the industry and dividing
what work there Is equally among
the miners. the union would take
unilateral action. He made such
statement at the last UNIV con-
vention before recession hit the
coal fields.
Meeting in Pittsburgh.
Northern operators. along with
part Of those from the Midwest.
were meeting in Pittsburgh today
for a discussion of the three day
week plan.
Reports here. where formal ses-
sions Of the National Bituminous
Wage Conference we're in recess
until tomorrow. indicated that the
operators are divided almost $3.50
on the Lewis proposal. Represent
atives Of the captive or steel
company -owned mines. were OPP
posed to the idea. along with a
sizable group Of commercial pro-
ducers. One operator said If he
had to make guess he would say
the three-day plan would be re-
jected. The industry was expect
ed to give Mr.. Lewis his answer
late tomorrow.
Mr.. Lewis idea for sharing the
work was that all of the Nations
soft coal mines would work three
days a week until the demand for
coal made a longer week practi-
cable. Some mines now are OPP
Grating the full i've days. others
four. three and some only two
days a week. The Lewis arrange
ment would give the higher cost,
less efficient producers . break at
the expense Of the producers who.
because Of thicker coal seams or
more modern methods, are OPP
Grating at lower cost.
Trust Law Violation Feared.
An industry of1icial said that
most Of the company lawyers be-
lieve it would patiently violate
Federal antitrust laws for the
operators to enter into the three
day agreement with the UNIV.
since it obviously would keep
prices up. However. should Mr.
Lewis choose to enforce the idea
himself. it is probable. the official
said. that no court action could
be undertaken to stop him.
The conference here between
Mr.. Lewis. his men and most OF
the coal industry is striving to
agree on terms Of q contract to
replace the pact which expires
this week.
While Mr.. Lewis approached the
operators on the idea Of keeping
the three-day week for the period
Of negotiations only. 1t is believed
that he wants the shorter week
made permanent. possibly on a
four day. 24-hour basis. For the
time being. until . new contract
can be made. he Is said TO be
content TO have hourly rates re-
main the same as at present
However. In the more permanent
contract he almost certainly would
want an increase in rates. The
miners now get $l4.05 for an
eight-hour. portal-to-portal day.
OF which only six and one half hour
Is actual working time. So their
pay for the three day week would
be only SAILS.