U.S. MINE STRIKERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21113, 5 June 1943, Page 3

U.S. MINE STRIKERS

BACK-TO-WORK ORDER PRESIDENT’S DIRECTION POSSIBLE USE OF ARMY (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—-Copyright.) (DUO a..m) WASHINGTON, June 4. invoking his powers of commander-in-chief, President Roosevelt lias ink-red more than 500,000 striking miners to return to work by next Monday on the wages previously applying and with minor concessions as offered by the War Labour Board. The Secretary of the Interior, Mr. 11. L. Irkes, lias been directed to reopen the mines and the order states that the dispute between the miners ami the operators will be dealt with by the War Labour Board only after tie men return to work.

Declaring that the strike was in defiance of the Government, the President said: “I must remind the miners that they are working for the Government on essential war work, and it is their duty, no less than that of their sons and brothers in the armed forces, to fulfil their war duties.' ’

The President did not specify" how Mr. lekes was to reopen the mines, but lie recalled that when he gave him control over strike-bound mines, he also gave him authority to obtain limy protection.

The Governors of Tennessee and Alabama are preparing for the. immediate induction .of striking miners into the army after the local, draft boards refused to induct any'inch until the Government took adequate steps to meet the strike.

The House of Representatives, by 231 votes to 141, passed, a compromise on the Anti-Strike Bill which would permit the War Labour Board to subpoeana Mr John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers’ Association, and possibly make him liable to a fine of £1250 and imprisonment. The Bill, which has now been returned to the Senate, would give the board statutory powers, including authority to enforce the appearance of witnesses. It provides for a fine of £1250 and one year’s imprisonment for all persons who aid operational interruption in war plants or mines which the Government had seized and also provides for 30 days’ notice of a secret ballot and the registration of labour union leaders before a strike could be called.

Mr Lewis stated that he expected the policy committee would recommend the miners to return on Monday.