STRIKE CONTINUES

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1946, Page 7

STRIKE CONTINUES

EFFORTS TO CONSERVE FUEL DRASTIC EMBARGO MEASURES WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. To conserve fuel in the coal crisis the American Railroads’ Association has announced an embargo on the carriage of all freight for overseas export. A railway spokesman described the embargo as the most drastic measure yet taken to conserve coal. The Inter-State Commerce Commission has ordered a general embargo on railway freight excepting goods vitally needed. The Office of Defence Transportation announcing a further 25 per cent, reduction in passenger mileage for coal-burning trains said it was acting on reports that the railways had available only 27 days’ coal supply based on the present rate of consumption. The Postal Department announced jthat an embargo on international parcel post which also restricted the size and weight, of all.domestic packages becomes effective on December 6.

The mail embargo does not apply to mail coming in from other countries, but affects only parcels freighted from inland centres to the coast. Mail from overseas will still be delivered. The embargo does not apply to servicemen abroad. Detroit automobile manufacturers stated that the rail freight embargo would shut down most plants by next week, thereby throwing idle at least 400,000 workers. Mr. Edward R. Burke has resigned his position as president of thp Southern Coal Producers’ Association at a salary of 25,000 dollars a year after strong criticism by a large section of the association’s board of directors because he advocated a fortnight’s truce with the United Mine Workers’ Association to enable direct negotiations with Mr. John L. Lewis to end the strike. , The association has issued the following statement: “When mining operations are resumed, the question lof orderly collective bargaining will become appropriate. , Then we shal. 1 make every effort to reach a proper 'working agreement with the unions.