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Oe anita ar Ale — Ne "Finger Points to Lewis —-— NY strike is inexcusable today. But there isn’t a shred of plausible reason, Jest it be outright sabotage of the war, for the strike of a half millforg coa} miners. Labor must hold Jahn L,.”Lewis respon- sible for the walkout, regardless of the evident provocations from some of the op- erators. The government, through its custodian of mines, Harold L. Ickes, advanced a pro- posal that would guarantee the miners a substantial temporary wage raise pending final settlement. The War Labor Board hid already provided for other improve- ments for the miners in its decision. wjge changes are retroactive, It was no longer a question of whether the miners are entitled to an improvement. It was only a matter of bargaining over the margin of difference and HOW MUCH the improve- | ments was to be. To call a strike under such conditions shows a desire not to serve the interests of the workers but complete indifference and even sabotage of the war. ewis, as the Communist Party's state- ment yesterday said in point blank words, “ig ‘trying to assume veto power over U.S. participation in the war. He sets himself above the isbor movement and above the government, fween their country and John L. Lewis. Ali | a ee ee = / he miners must retin to “work Immodi- aiely.” Poneman It igs urgent that all labor Jeadera speak out and assure the President their support for decisive action. =. Thé no-strike pledge and the entire con- ception that this is Labor's war means ’ nothing if Lewis is permitted to defiantly carry out his treasonous program. As | Julius Emspak, secretary-treasurer of the l United Electrical, Radio and Machine Work- _ ers told the President in a wire, labor ex- | pects him to take “decisive action” to stop Lewis and the “tremendous majority” of the trade union movement will back him. Morevver, Mr. Emspak sees the issues as far beyond those directly affecting the _ mine dispute, “We regard a shutdown on the right of Lewit to organize disruption of the war effort as something that must come re gardless of the particular settlement of the dispute.” ! Of one thing we are certain. Neither Lewis nor that small group of “powerful operators,” as Ickes called them, havefthe slightest interest in the country’s safety. _ The President is duty bound to act in- ; gure that our war effort does not falter, | =e ral The miners must choose be-__ epi a1) loyal Americans will be hehind him s A MEE -~ ZY Tf NOT RECORDLD 3G NOV. 2 1943 This is a cli ge from a page of the LY WORKER Date Clipp&f at the Seat of be.