The No-Day Week

There was not even a rustling of hope in the U.S. coal fields. John L. Lewis' "voluntary" walkout hardened into a stubborn stalemate and his 480,000 coal diggers were morosely exhibiting John L.'s latest variation on an old theme--the no-day work week.

Arrogant and imperturbable as ever, Lewis surveyed the idle coal fields and kept his own counsel. He drove his Cadillac over to White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. (acquiring a ticket for speeding on the way) to attend negotiations with the northern, and western coal operators. John Lewis had no quarrel with them over the miners' welfare-fund payments; they had paid theirs faithfully, even sending along $3,000,000 last week despite the strike.

That did not faze old John in the slightest. He had not even bothered to talk with the southern operators, some of whom had precipitated the walkout (say the miners) by withholding payments to the welfare fund. He still refused to discuss his new contract demands with the northern operators. (Best guess: a boost in the present royalty for the fund to 30-c- a ton, reduction of the present eight-hour day to seven with no loss in pay.)

Snapped George H. Love, president of Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. and spokesman for the northern operators: "The strike is wholly unjustified. This is the old U.M.W. pattern of creating a national emergency to force the public to pay more for coal."

Retorted Lewis: "Mr. Love was not satisfied with the three-day week, so until he changes his attitude he will have a no-day work week." Then negotiations were broken off for seven days.

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