Evening star., 1952-08-17
Lewis Orders
Mines Closed
In 'Mourninq'
10-MiIIion Ton Loss
Of Coal Expected to
Aid Union Position

page from August % to September
2 on order of John L. Lewis was
viewed yesterday as likely to lose
more than 10 million tons of fuel
and to strengthen the United Mine
Workers in new contract talks.
The stoppage will cover only five
actual work days because thu
miners do not work on Labor Day
or Saturdays. 1t affects about
ATS, 900 men in the hard and soft
coal fields.
The notice. issued unexpectedly
yesterday, made no mention Of
contract talks. Mr.. Lewis early
this month noted that the present
contract will expire September 80.
He raised the prospect of a strike
if no agreement is reached before
that date.
Under a clause in contracts dur
ing the last 10 years permitting
mourning periods to commemorate
victims of mine disasters, Mr..
Lewis yesterday ordered UNIV
members to stay away from the
pits during the period starting
next Saturday.
Third Such Period.
This was the third. memorial
period" called by the UNIV presi-
dent. One during the last two
weeks of March. 1947. commence
rated the deaths of Ill miners
in the Centralia, ILL.,, disaster. A
similar one in late March, 1949.
was also in protest against the
appointment of DR.. James Boyd
as Federal Bureau of Mines di-
rector. In both Of those years
the memorial periods" occurred
as the UNIV was negotiating to
replace contracts due to expire
June 80.
The statement by Mr.. Lewis yes
terday called particular attention
to the West Frankfort. Ill, mine
disaster which took 119 lives eight
months ago.
1t was regarded by some in
dustry and Government officials
as being related to the current
contract talks. The stockpile Of
coal above ground amounts to an
|84-day supply, largest in many
years. On the basis of normal pro-
|duction, a f1ve-day work stoppage
would mean the loss of 10 million
tons Of bituminous coal and 700,-
600 tons Of anthracite.
Such loss would not be felt at
once. In event of a strike after
September. however, the pinch
would be felt sooner than other
wise. A smaller coal supply pre-
sumably could put Mr.. Lewis in
a stronger position in negotiating
with the operators.
Safety Crews to Work.
Mr.. Lewis stated that sufficient
men will remain on the job to pro-
vide for safety and to handle con-
struction, installation, sinking and
repair work. He suggested that the
memorial period" would be an
opportune occasion for mine
company managements to confer
with safety committees and local
union officers on projects to cor
rect safety hazards. He offered
work crews for any such projects.
particularly in view of added
perils which autumn brings to
the mines.
The statement. published in the
United Mine Workers Journal and
sent to industry operators and
Federal and State mine authori-
ties, referred not only to West
Frankfort, ILL.,, but to mine trage-
dies since that time.
Death continues it's ravages in
the coal industry" the statement
continued. Since December %.
1851, and through July 81, 1852,
1874 miners have been killed and
approximately 20,040 mine work.
ers have been manned.
Violations Cited.
During the same brief period
Federal mine inspection records
reveal total of 52,256 violations
by mine management of safety
provisions Of the Federal Mining
Code. OF this number, 29,007 were
repeat violations. AS Of July 81.
1852. there existed 1887 uncor-
rected violations of the Federal
Mining Code.
This is an appalling record.
emphasizing negligence and dis
regard Of human life by mining
companies and in many instances
cruel intent. 1t cries
aloud for redress by those who are
sufficiently fortunate to remain
alive and unnamed in this savage
industry. It is fitting that during
this memorial period tribute
should be paid to those who have
made the great sacrifice and that
every effort should be made to
lessen the bloodletting and vast
age OF human flesh which consti-