Coal Strike

John L. Lewis met his dilemma as only John L. Lewis can. His 375,000 soft coal miners stayed out on strike against a ruling of the Administration's Wage Stabilization Board that they should get only $1.50 of the $1.90 daily wage raise granted in their new contract with the mine operators. Lewis himself went right on politicking for the Democratic ticket. But to the soft coal operators the United Mine Workers' boss sent a letter telling them just how he felt about the adverse Administration gesture which he had never expected.

Wrote Lewis: the contract for a $1.90 wage boost is not inflationary--"it is pure as a sheep's heart." The WSB ruling is "contemptible." WSB Chairman Archibald Cox, "the little Harvard professor," and his associates formed a "cabal to steal 40-c- a day from each mine worker." Economic Stabilizer Roger Putnam, who applauded the WSB ruling, shows a "sadistic trait," for he is "robbing miners' babies of life-giving milk."

The coal mine operators, urged on and joined by Lewis, petitioned Putnam to overrule the WSB and grant the full $1.90 raise.

This week Harry Truman, who wants to keep the miners on his side and yet maintain some semblance of consistency in wage-ceiling policy, reacted to the situation as only Harry Truman can. He summoned Lewis and Harry Moses, president of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association, to a 24-minute White House conference. Upshot, in Truman's words: 1) "The operators . . . are prepared to start paying immediately $1.50 of the wage increase now allowable and to set aside available for payment to the miners, when & if approved, the balance of the increase amounting to 40-c- per day, retroactive to Oct. 1, 1952." 2) "Mr. Lewis has assured me of his cooperation."

Next day, John L. Lewis ordered his men back to work at once. No doubt, he expected the WSB to be overruled after Election Day.

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