MINES STILL CLOSED

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24870, 9 May 1946, Page 5

MINES STILL CLOSED

Soft Coal Strike InU.S. MORE INDUSTRIES AFFECTED (NZ. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 7. Hopes in Washington of an early settlement of the 37-day-old strike erf soft coal miners received a further setback when the United Mineworkers' policy committee, meeting in Washington, reiterated its intention to keep the mines closed until its demands are conceded. The committee described the employers’ offer of a health and welfare scheme on the basis of joint contributions as "tinhorn benevolence.” The miners have oefused even to discuss their wages demands until a health scheme financed by a levy on coal production is granted. Senator William Knowland (California) said that unless the strike was settled in 48 hours he intended to move that the Senate should set aside the British loan bill to consider legislative action against the strikers. The Administration has established an emergency office to avoid the collapse of utilities and services essential to the public health and safety. The new office will attempt to keep water, power, and gas utilities functioning. The Association of American Railroads announced that 51,000 railwaymen had been laid off as the result of the coal strike. Partial reports indicated that industries served by the railroads which had closed or curtailed because of the coal strike had also laid off 250,000 men. The association estimates also that approximately 100,000 railway workers will be laid off on May 15, when a 50 per cent, curtailment in railway services becomes effective. The Ford Motors Company announced in Detroit from to-morrow night virtually all the company’s operations will be suspended indefinitely because of the coal strike and consequent a shortage of parts and railroad transportation. The General Motors electromotive plant at La Grange closed down to-day because of the fuel shortage. The remainder of this comiiany's plants have sufficient coal to continue through May.