"BRINK OF PARALYSIS"

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 6 December 1946, Page 5

"BRINK OF PARALYSIS"

COAL STRIKE STRANGLING U.S. URGENT PLEA TO SAVE FUEL PRESIDENT TO APPEAL TO MINERS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 5. Officials of the White House announced that President Truman will make a nation-wide radio speech at 2.30 a.m. G.M.T. on Monday in which he will appeal to the coal miners to return to work. The Solid Fuels Administration has called on State Governments to take the strongest measures immediately to conserve coal. It is emphasised that the strike in May last and the present walk-out has “placed the nation at the very brink of economic paralysis and threatened unprecedented hardship and suffering during the winter. “Every community is faced with the possibility of having insufficient coal to preserve its health,” it added.

It is estimated that at least 2,000,000 workers will be rendered idle throughout the nation within 10 days if the coal strike

Mr. Padway argued that the Government’s case did not sustain the civil contempt verdict and the court's criminal contempt finding violated the constitution. Before sentence was imposed Mr. Padway told the court that the defence had been trying' to ascertain whether individual miners were held in contempt, but he had not received an answer.

continues. The New York port will be paralysed within a fortnight and the nation’s total exports will be reduced 80 per cent. , The Government attorneys indicated that in view of the national emergency they may ask that Mr. Lewis’ appeal be taken up by the Supreme Court instead of proceeding to the Appeals Court. The Supreme Court, however, may rule that Mr, Lewis’ appeal must go to the Appeals Court in the normal way. ■ The United Mine Workers’ Association must post a bond of 3,500,000 dollars if it proceeds with the appeal. Speculation on Conferences.

“Improper and Outrageous”

“A fine of 3,500,000 dollars is nothing more than an imposition against individual miners,” he said. “It is his dues, his cents and his dollars that will have to satisfy such judgment as that. “It was the Government’s intention to put the U.M.W.A. out of business and to destroy the union by a fine of such magnitude. It might as well'know now that their purpose would not be accomplished. The miners would remain as strong as ever. The Government’s proposed fine was ‘unjust, improper and outrageous.’” _ The miners’ union counsel, Mr. Wally Hopkins, said the Government’s recommendations “will live in infamy.” The Government was seeking to repress millions of men.. “Shame upon the Government for trying to perpetuate such an outrage,” he added. I denounce the Government’s action with all my heart and soul.” Mr. Hopkins said the proposed fine made him feel he should challenge physically the Government representatives who suggested it. “Shame upon you, double shame!” he declared. Lewis rose and shook hands. He said! “Sir, I associate myself with every word you have uttered. I don’t desireany mercy'from the court.”' Enough to Pay Expenses

A series of forenoon conferences between Judge Goldsborough and counsel in chambers in the case led to speculation on the likelihood of the coal strike being settled. This brought an avalanche of buying orders on the New York Stock Exchange and caused many shares to be marked up. The United Press says the general feeling among the miners in the Pittsburg area was of hostility to the court’s action and strong support for Mr. Lewis. Many predicted the gravest industrial unresf. ... Thq miners’ leaders in West Virginia declared that the fining of Lewis and the Mine Workers’ Association would not end the strike. The leaders said unrest was mounting among the miners, but so far no outbreaks had been reported. The general reaction was more one of dogged resent than of violent resistance. The miners had already lost 50,000,000 dollars in wages. Officials of the United Mine Workers’ Association refused to disclose the extent of the union’s funds, but a recent issue of the United Mine Workers’ Journal reported a Treasury balance of about 13,500,000 dollars. Attack on President Truman.

Lewis told the court what property he possessed. He said that, apart from it, he had only enough money to pay expenses. “As far as I am concerned, don t let that deter you from fining me any amount,” he said. Lewis, raising his voice, accused the Government counsel of lying to the court about his expense account. Lewis’ resentment at Mr. Sonnett’sreference to his expense account was provoked by Mr. Sonnett having said that Lewis had determined the amount of it himself. Lewis receives an annual salary of 25,000 dollars, plus an undisclosed expense allowance. Judge Goldsborough warned him not again to commit contempt. Lewis retorted: “I have been adjudged guilty of contempt.” Judge Goldsborough: “Yes, but there are other kinds of contempt.

. Mr Robert Wason, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, commenting on the coal strike, said: “President Truman lets the public freeze while his guts quivers.” Mr. Wason declared that the strike was “organised by law in Washington,” and the Government supported Mr. Lewis by its indifference. The New York Times, in an editorial, says: “Increasing years have made Mr. Lewis far more reckless and irresponsible. He has made his threat and carried it out once too often. We know that if the Lewis problem is not settled this time, it will nave to be dealt with later. We can stand this economic civil war now as well as we ever can. We cannot stand the uncertainty which will hang over us if a final and just .settlement is not made. To yield now would make a later victory more difficult, perhaps impossible.” Canadian industry is also affected by the discontinuation of coal supplies from the United States. •

Judge Goldsborough said the case represented an unprecedented situation.

“Evil, Monstrous Thing”

“This is not an attack by a low lawbreaker; it is an evil, monstrous thing” he added. “This coal strike is one of the most serious threats ever experienced in this country. It means hunger, cold and destitution. It is a threat to democratic Government itself. “No one wants to see the union dealt a mortal blow, nor anything done which would turn back labour conditions,” he said. “But if it becomes a question of the destruction of this union or the country’s preservation, the country is going to be preserved.” Judge Goldsborough said he personally believed that Lewis should be imprisoned, but he felt bound to follow the Government’s contrary view because, in this situation, the Government spoke for the people. At Mr. Sonnett’s request, the court granted an injunction against Lewis and the U.M.W.A. to replace the restraining order. Mr. Sonnett indicated that further penalties would be asked for if the coal stoppage continued. The defence filed notice of appeal and moved that judgment be suspended. Mr. Sonnett did not object provided the defence posted a bond. The court gave the defence until 3 p.m. to-morrow to post the bond. The judge said that if Lewis had been sentenced to imprisonment, he would not be allowed a bond.

Hamilton. Ontario, with a population of 60,000. switched off all street lights last night.

Heavy Fines Imposed

v The Federal Court fined John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers’ Association, 10,000 dollars and the- United Mine Workers’ Association 3,560,000 dollars for contempt of court. . A series of conferences in the chambers of Judge Goldsborough with both counsel delayed the sentences. Crowds waited both in and outside the courtroom. - . , ' The court, which met in the morning, adjourned at noon until 3 p.m., and, upon resumption, the Government attorney. Mr. Sonnett, asked the court to fine the United Mine Workers’ Association 3,500,000 dollars for contempt. Mr. Sonnett said Lewis should be subjected to “substantial punishment.” but, “at this time a gaol sentence can accomplish nothing.” Judge Goldsborough asked Mr. Sonnett whether the Government desired a permanent injunction against Lewis and the United Mine Workers’ Association. Mr. Sonnett replied that he thought a temporary injunction would suffice. Judge Goldsborough said he wondered, in view of the fact “that this contempt may continue,” whether he could agree that the fine should be 250,000 dollars per day from midnight on November 20. “Cruel and Inhuman”

President Truman intends to ask Congress for a sweeping revision in the Wagner Labour Relations Act to provide less preferential treatment for labour unions in disputes with managements, says the New York Times correspondent in Washington. President Truman was reported to have told friends that he is hoping to “beat the Republicans to the punch,” thereby achieving a more balanced bargaining power between management and labour that might result from the Republicans’ complete sponsorship of revision.

Counsel foi the American Federation of Labour. Mr. Padway, commenting on the Government recommendation, said there was no evidence showing damage of 3,500,000 dollars. “Penalties cannot be founded on imagination,” he declared. The proposed fine would be “cruel and inhuman.” He pointed out that there was no similar case on record, except one which was reversed.

The Detroit automobile manufacturers stated that the rail freight embargo as a res fit of the coal strike would shut down most plants by next week, thereby throwing in idleness at least 400,000 workers.