The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-11-21

lt was war, anu FTeSlueut ATu~ man knew it. He called the sig- nals for a showdown through the courts. Now vacationing In south- ernmost Florida. confident that he had acted in the best interests of the country, the President stood by while his officials here carried out his decisions.
 Choke Flow to Homes
 The countrywide shutdown of bi- luminous mines choked off the flow of a vital fuel to industries and homes. The issue was so drawn be- tween Lewis and the Government that the nation couold expect to pay a heavy price before one side re- treated.
 Government agencies were ready with plans to curtail railroad freight seervice and to request electricity brownouts by cities to conserve fuel. Latest estimates said the nations soft coal supply was enough for 37 days. But it was unevenly distri- buted and the strike was expect ed to affect many a home and fac- tory within a few days.
 Behind Lewis were 100000 United Mine Workers (AFD who answered his signal to quit the Government operated mines beginning last mid- night. Lewis gave the mo contract" signal. and the miners followed their mo contract, no work" tradi- ton. They ignored Government claims that they still had a con- tract.
 More than I5O,O00 United Mine Workers had jumped the gun before the deadline and the rest stayed away from their jobs in the. 26 solt coal producing states today. Lead- CTS of Pennsylvania's 76.0O0 anthra- cite miners predicted that those workers would join the walkout II Lewis were jailed. although the anthracite agreement was not n- volyed in the current dispute. An- thracite mines are not operated by the Government.
 Edicts Ignored
 Tn walking out, the soft coal Qlg- gers ignored notices posted at the 2.25O-Government-operated mines telling them that the contract still was in effect. The notices. signed by Secretary of Interior J. A. Krug, said the miners were expected to remain at work to mine the coal needed by the country.
 Krug had authority to ask the War Department for troops II some miners wanted to work ana wanted protection. It was indicated ever. that Krug was not contem- plating a request for troops.
 Carrying out MT. Truman's in- structions for showdown witn Lewis, the Justice Department was prepared in advance to ask U. >. District Judge T. Alan Goldsborougn to cite Lewis for contempt Of court.
 The basis for the Governments case was a three-day-old restraining order which directed Lewis to with draw his notice that the unions wage contract with the Government would expire last midnight. In grim silence, Lewis ignored the order while the deadline passed.
 The Government obtained the oF- der to support its claim that the contract Lewis and Krug negotiated last May ran until the Government released the mines. Lewis argued that he could and would terminate the contract. The agreement was signed last May after the Govern ment had seized the mines following prolonged strike and the break down of negotiations between the UNIV and the mine owners.
 Expect Court Contest
 Lewis was expected to contest con. tempt action and the court order on grounds that the order violated the Norris LaGuardia Anti-inJunction act. The Government contended the Norris-LaGuardia did not apply to a case involving the Government,
 The Justice Department also had laid the groundwork for prosecution of Lewis and other U.M.W. leaders for violation of the Smith Connally Anti-Strike Law, which forhias efi- couraging strikes in Government operated properties. T.:e Govern ment charged that Lewis contract termination notice was. in effect. strike call in view of the miners traditional refusal to work without a e. tract.
 Lewis had the entire labor move ment as well as his own union be- hind him in his fight against the court order issued by Goldsborough The CI.O. convention at Atlantic ' Jay condemning the Government City. N. J., adopted a resolution 'es- action and assertoing that the or- der violated the Norrss-xsad dtlardia Act.
 ' A similar protest came from A.P.L