Acute Situation In America

Chronicle (Levin), 23 November 1946, Page 5

Acute Situation In America

-Press Association •

CHARGE ACAfNST IVJR. I.EW1S

By Telegrfiph-

Ryceiv.od Frida.v, 7.U p.m. NEW f.URfv, Nov. 2J. Tlie Federal Gpuri ha§ order.ed ika.' unless Mr- J- h. Letvis oftprs valfjj roa sons for ignoriug pr&yiyus injupction against perinitting a work stoppage ii. tlie coalmines he shall be cyinmitted foi trial betoie a jur.y pn Nove/ii ber 27. United Press says the hp.tiation of con tempt pruceedings may b,e only tli.e pre lude to a more iaiportaut Fed.era charge against Mr. Le.vyis pf a yiolaiioii of the Smitli Connally oatlawuq, strikes against G » \' er n n i.e u t -op yr a t e , industries. The Government has ru. the soft coai iiiines since May wlien the pits were seized beeause of the liiabn ity of Mr. Lewis and the owners to agree to terms for a new eoniraei I'here is also inereasing sentiineut in Washingtoii for a special session o. Congress to deal with the eoal strike and other national labour stoppages. Union spokesinen predict that the curreut move against Alr. Lewis wil stiffen resistance among the strikin^ uiiners and perhaps start a wave o. sympaihy walkouts in ytker basie m dustries. Already 10,UbU hani coa. miners have left tlieir jobs aud it is feared all 333 antliracite colleries in Pennsylvaiiia will be idie tomorrow. Federal ageneies are taking acti.on ti eonserve the nation 's seanty soft e-oa. reserves against whai sonie are predict ing may be a long heige. Coal t-onsuiti ing Federal oiiiee buildings tliroughou. the nation have been ordered to reduci lighting and early euts ui the civiliai. use of electricity and coul ar,e predict eel. C'oal buruiug raiiroads everywhen are trimining down freight and pus senger services in advance of inandat ory reductions of coal consumption All export coal is frozen for reallocy tion to ueedy areas in Anierica. The steel iudustrv is pessimistic am. production will probablv be curtailed almost immediately. The nation has about 37,000,000 tons of bituminous coal on liand, equivalent to 37 days' supplv but tlie distribution is not even and niany householders aud industries will liegin to feel tlie pincli immediately.