Cox Resigns Wage Post After Mine Pay Raised

Archibald Cox '34, professor of Law and head of the Wage Stabilization Board, yesterday quit his government job. He apparently left in protest over President Truman's approval of a $1.90 wage boost for coal miners, although he had long been expected to resign at about this time.

Truman accepted his resignation and named vice-chairman Charles C. Killing-worth, Michigan State economics professor, to succeed Cox.

Despite this promotion, the board was unable to function because of a boycott by its six industry members, who had sided with Cox and the five other public members in urging that the increase be held to $1.50 as an anti-inflationary measure. The board handled the case until Tuesday.

Cox, who left the Law School last August to take over as Wage head, refused to comment on his resignation last night when contacted by the CRIMSON, although he did indicate he would return to his teaching post this spring.

He is scheduled to teach Agency and Labor Law A after Christmas.

The President said yesterday that his action was necessary to prevent a coal strike which would confront President-elect Eisenhower with a "national emergency." Truman added that he wanted to present Eisenhower with a smoothly functioning economic machine.

Feared "Irreparable" Damage

Cox and other WSB members had previously said that to grant more than $1.50 would "irreparably" damage the whole stabilization program and result in substantial inflationary repercussions.

Truman appointed Cox to the wage job last August, soon after Congress, angered with WSB handling of the steel dispute, had stripped the board of much of its powers. The coal case was by far the most important Cox had handled in his three month term.

The 40 year old professor took his initial leave of absence in 1951, when he became co-chairman of the Construction Industry Stabilization Commission, a division of the Wage Stabilization Board.