AMERICAN COAL DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 3

AMERICAN COAL DISPUTE

MINERS RESUME FOR FORTNIGHT’S TRUCE

11,000,000 TONS LOST THROUGH STRIKE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

ißec. 11.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June t. Most of the 500,000 soft coal miners in the United States returned to the pits to-day, beginning a fortnight’s truce in the dispute with their employers. The coal operators and Mr John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Worker of America, resumed negotiations amid reports of dissension among the operators on whether they should seek a new contract or request the War Labour Board to adjudicate on all the issues.

The Secretary for the Interior (Mr Harold L. Ickes) has disclosed that last week’s strike meant the loss of 11.000,000 tons of coal, “substantially interfering with the conduct of the war and the nation’s ability to provide coal for heating next winter.” Mr Ickes telegraphed to Mr Lewis, urging the United Mine Workers to get workers who were still idle in three Pennsylvanian mines, to return to their jobs. CREW OF CHURCHILL’S AEROPLANE SERVICES RECOGNISED BY AWARDS (8.0. W.) RUGBY. June f. The services of the pilots and crew of the Liberator aeroplane, “Commando,” which has carried Mr Churchill many thousands of miles, have been recognised. Captain W. J. van der Kloot and Captain J. H. Ruggles, both of whom are American citizens, and Radio Officer R. H, Homes, a Canadian, have been awarded the M.BJS. Flight Engineers J. W. Affleck and R. R. Williams, who are Canadians, have been awarded for their valuable service in the^air. The Home Secretary (Mr Herbert Morrison) to-night commented on the trips made by the Prime Minister (Mr Churchill). Whenever Mr Churchill consulted Cabinet about his trips abroad, Mr Morrison said, Cabinet felt that it ought to say “No,” but then it realised the tremendous amount of good Mr Churchill did. The risks which Mr Churchill took were real, and Cabinet’s responsibility was great. “However,” added Mr Morrison, "we know Mr Churchill would go, anyway.” BOMB THROWN IN MARSEILLES DISCONTENT AT TRANSFER OF WORKERS LONDON. June 7. German soldiers were among the 12 people killed when a bomb was thrown in Marseilles. The incident was a culmination to growing discontent at the compulsory transport of workers to Germany. Large demonstrations occurred in France recently when men were compulsorily mobilised and forcibly dragged to the railway stations. These mass demonstrations prevented the departure of the trains and gave those mobilised an opportunity of escaping and joining partisan groups. Increasing damage is also being inflicted on the German war machine by sabotage by franc-tireurs. One of the most important bauxite mines was so well sabotaged by partisans that production has been paralysed for at least six months, FLYING BOAT LANDS ON AIRFIELD AIRCRAFT DAMAGED IN ROUGH SEA LONDON, June 7. A Sunderland dying-boat recently made aviation history by successfully landing on an airfield after rescuing the crews of two other aeroplanes in the Bay of Biscay, Another Sunderland, which went out to rescue the crew of a Whitley bomber . who were in a dinghy 250 miles from land, sank, in, the rough sea. The, captain was killed and the first pilot injured. The remainder of the crew scrambled Into the dinghy. One member of the crew plunged into the sea to rescue the injured pilot and brought him back after swimming with him for 40 minutes. The next day a second Sunderland located the two dinghies, and, although visibility was only 100 yards in a fog, landed and took both crews aboard. Later in the day a Fighting French destroyer arrived and took off the men, except seven who volunteered to remain with the Sunderland’s captain, Flight Officer G, Singleton, in an effort to save the. flyingboat.

After the destroyer had unsuccessfully attempted to tow the Sunderland, the volunteer crew decided to risk a take-off in a very rough sea. Waves struck the aircraft .with terrific violence, making a hole in the hull 7ft by 4ft. Seven attempts were made before the craft was air-borne. The

crew jettisoned everything inflammable and padded themselves with cushions and mattresses, but the craft touched down on an airfield near its base with only a slight jar.

RATION FOE BRITISH INVASION TROOPS

LONDON, June 7.

“During the opening stages of the invasion of Europe, British troops will live on ‘compo’ ration, a new British war development, by which they will be able to have four meals daily,” reports the “Daily Express.” “The ‘compo’ ration replaces the former iron ration of biscuits and bully beef which was issued to soldiers in tough spots." Each box of “compo” contains a complete four meal ration for 14 men, comprising tins of steals and kidney pudding, Scotch broth, potatoes, peas, carrots, pudding, bacon, sugar, tea, butter milk powder, margarine, biscuits, chocolate, jam, cigarettes, sweets, salt, and matches. Other types of “compo” ration contain different varieties of tinned food, including salmon, baked beans, and fruit. The ration can be eaten either hot or cold and it provides nine different menus for different days. It is pointed out that while bridgeheads are being established it will not be possible immediately to establish bakeries and cold stores for keeping meat, or cookhouses for preparing elaborate meals. The new scheme of ready-cooked meals will release for the fighting forces thousands of Royal Army Service Corps men.

U.S, Timber Mission in Britain.—An official United States mission recently arrived in Britain to discuss matters of common interest in connexion with the control and production of timber and economy in its use.—Rugby, June 7.

Sweden’s Part in Peace Plans.— The Swedish Defence Minister (Mr Edvin Shoeld),. discussing in a speech Sweden’s participation in international co-operation for securing world peace, said that all Swedes were agreed that Sweden should not . enter into any international co-operation plan which set limits on her right to decide for herself the extent of her obligations. —London, June 7. Quisling Service in Norway.—Of 400,000 Norwegian boys and girls between 10 and 18 who were ordered 13 months ago by the Nazis to join the Quisling service, only 1000 have complied with the order. Forty parents have been arrested for refusing to allow their children to join.—London, June 7.