Must: Get Coal, Says Roosevelt

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1943, Page 5

Must: Get Coal, Says Roosevelt

WASHINGTON, June 25 President Roosevelt said he would not recognise or accept the October 31 deadline set by the United Mine Workers’ Association for continued coal production under Government control. Mr. Roosevelt, addressing a Press conference, explained that he was chiefly concerned to see coal mined, which must be done. He pointed out that many persons were prone to forget that we are at war and the life of the nation very much at stake. Mr. Roosevelt declined to say whether he would sign an anti-strike Bill. President’s Veto Over-ridden President Roosevelt vetoed the AntiStrike Bill, but the House later voted by 244 to 108, over-riding Mr. Roosevelt’s veto. The Senate also voted by 56 to 25 to over-ride the veto. The measure thus becomes law. President Roosevelt said that the measure, was an entirely praiseworthy purpose, but would, in some cases, produce strikes in vital war plants which otherwise would not occur. President Roosevelt declared that he intended to use Governmental powers to prevent interruption by strikes. He formally recommended the Amendment Selective Service Act by which men aged 45 to 65 could be inducted into non-combatant military service. President Roosevelt said that he would approve legislation dealing with strikes harming the war . effort. He criticised the Bill’s provision for a secret ballot after 30 days’ notice of intention to -strike. He said that this completely ignored organised _ labour’s no-strike pledge and provides, in effect, for strike notices and strike ballots. These would stimulate labour’s unrest and give Government sanction to strike agitations. Miners Only Defaulters Mr. Roosevelt, declaring his f unalterable opposition to strikes in war time, said that Ire would unhesitatingly use powers to prevent them. He concluded: “Labour and business have kept well their ‘no-strike, no-lockout pledge, except the United Mine Workers’ Association.”