Coal Age Magazine - For nearly 100 years, Coal Age has been the magazine that readers can trust for guidance and insight on this important industry.
Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/82345
1940-1949 tinued. Lewis, though facing tremendous threats, continued to order his men to hold out, slow down and not comply with labor board recommendations. With no quick end in sight, the road to nationalization seemed set. The industry, as reflected in the pages of Coal Age, was not pleased. "How did we arrive at the point where one man could defy government—and the government could find no way out but seizure? The inescapable answer is politics—the brand of politics that favors one class over another. The New Deal and John L. Lewis, in fact, are the combina- tion that has presented the nation with one of its most difficult problems at a time when it is in war for survival," wrote Given in another editorial. Through July 1, work stoppages had "cost the nation 27 million tons of coal and 170,000 tons of steel, enough for 43,500 P38 Lightning Fighters, or 16,000 B17 Bombers, or 6,000 medium tanks, or 38 Liberty ships." Lewis—by thwarting the war effort—was seen by many as a traitor to his nation. And many were calling for a rope. Coal Age quoted others' harshest words against Lewis and stuck to a safer road of mere editorial fury, publishing long pieces questioning Lewis' long-term inten- tions, his loyalty and his humanity. Though miners were back on the job through summer, strikes broke out again in October and all mines producing more than 50 tons a day were seized a second time on November 1. Once again, wrote the editors, "Lewis put power for himself ahead of the war effort." Seizure was initially supposed to last no more than 60 days after the restora- tion of the productive efficiency of the mines with Interior Secretary Ickes once again des- ignated to take possession and operate the mines. Management was permitted to con- tinue its managerial functions to the maxi- mum degree possible. In total, by December 1943, there had been four work stoppages and two property seizures nationwide. The government, by the end of the year, was run- ning the coal industry and, at the time, no one knew how long that would continue or if permanent nationalization was next. Just the same, some steel mills closed briefly dur- ing the year. Throughout November, with govern- ment employees running the mines, Lewis' UMWA negotiated with coal operators. Many were quick to sign contacts and more than 230 companies settled by December 3—most in fact sooner. Southern Appalachian and Alabama operators held out longer, but eventually capitulated. One August 2012 100th Anniversary Special Issue www.coalage.com 81 of the problems being dealt with nation- wide that all groups could agree with was a lack of manpower. Coal miners, all conced- ed, were working longer, harder and pro- ducing more with less and less hands. On December 3, the Coal Mines Administration formally asked for draft deferments of all mine workers going forward. In all, the mine seizures lasted roughly 13 months through the end of June 1944. The stability brought about was welcome to most of the public, though many questioned that methods used to get there. "With the end of Act II of the 'Seizure Follies' in sight at the first of June there were few to lament its departure from the boards," wrote Given in his July 1944 editorial. One of the precedents seizure had set "was grabbing the property of an industry to settle a labor dispute despite the fact that the owners of that prop-