Evening star., 1950-03-06

oA1S oO4V SOdl
work contract paves the way for
appointment of a co-ordinator
1t would be Mr.. Moses job to deal
with Mr.. Lewis in future negotia-
tions. The operators believe that
in Mr.. Moses, veteran of many
contract battles, they would have
a man strong enough to bring a
measure of stability to their labor
relations.
Most of the big operator groups
of the North and Midwest already
have approved the idea. They
represent over half of the entire
industry. They are hopeful Of
bringing into the plan the Far
Western producers and possibly
some sizeable groups from the
South.
Southerners May Have Held Out.
But it is probable that most of
the big Southern operators will
not go along with their Northern
and Western colleagues. The
Southerners feel their problems
are different and that the keen
competition for markets forecloses
the possibility of any cooperative
arrangement.
Under the plan Mr.. Moses would
become the operators trustee for
the UNIV welfare and retirement
fund as we'll as co-ordinator of
industrial relations. The trustee
job alone pays $4,000 a year and
the combined jobs would COM
mand salary of about 100000
If present plans are followed.
Mr.. Moses would give up his
present big job with United States
Steel.
Talk of appointing Mr.. Moses
a full-time representative of the
industry in its dealings with Mr..
Lewis first cropped up last spring
along with reopening of contract
negotiations. The move is de-
signed to bring some semblance of
order to the chaotic conditions
which have existed for years in
the coal fields.
Wants Complete Authority.
Initial reports on the proposal
referred to the co-ordinator posi-
tion as a GEAR" of the industry.
Operators opposed to the move
said it was the plan for Mr.. Moses
even to control production of the
industry. The reports brought re-
percussions in Congress and an
airing before a Senate committee.
Coal producers backing the
move denied that it was their in
tention to give Mr. Moses "czarist";
powers. They pointed out that
any combination for control of
production and prices would be
obviously in violation of Federal
antitrust laws.
It is understood, however, that
Mr.. Moses insists he is interested
in the job only if the operators
are willing to give him complete
authority for handling their af-
fairs in the dealings with the
tough Mr.. Lewis.
In the long and bitter contract
battle with the United Mine
Workers Mr.. Moses remained on
the sidelines until about the end
1t was his position that the COM
mercial mine operators and not
the steel companies should be in
the forefront of the contract fight.
The major part of the industry
which produces coal for sale, Mr..
Moses felt, should determine the
terms for operation of the mines.
But Mr.. Moses played a major
role in the final settlement. He
helped George H. Lowe, chief
spokesman for the commercial
operators, make the final arrange
ments over wages and welfare
fund payments with Mr.. Lewis.
Mr.. Moses was slated to be the
operator trustee for the welfare
fund. But plans were changed
at the last minute. 1t was felt
that the arrangements for the CO.
ordinator post should be COM
pleted before Mr.. Moses was made
trustee, too. When all of the
plans are completed, it is under
stood, Charles A. Owen of New
York will step aside in favor of
Mr. MoSec &C tho fund fy.11Stno