Evening star., 1946-09-01
Government Seeks to Rid
Itself of Mine Operation
Operators and Lewis Both Prefer Return to Private
Rule, but How to Accomplish This
Presents Real Problem
By James Y. Neicfon

Lie 1oVcTHlueut, pOSSeSSOT IOT more
than three months of the Nations soft
coal mines, really has bear by the tail.
If it let's go there will be reconversion-
wrecking strike. If it holds on indefi-
nitely the political repercussions, what
with all OF the charges of "nationaliza-
ton" of the coal industry, may be
terrific.
Only out for the administration in this
situation is to have John
L. Lewis, the United Mine Workers boss,
and the private mine owners and op-
orators, arrive at a contractural under
that will permit release of the
mines.
With that in mind, Admiral Ben
who as coal mines admins
traitor under Secretary of Interior Krug
is the temporary boss of the industry,
has called conference of the UNIV
and private operators for September 10
to see If they can get together.
Seized May %.
1t will be recalled, that President
Truman seized the mines May % after
efforts OF the parties to make contract
had broken down completely and the
country was hamstrung by the long
strike. A week later Secretary Krug
and Mr.. Lewis signed an agreement for
the period of Federal operation of the
mines and the union called off the strike.
Seizure and the Krug- Lewis agree
ment were recognized as temporary ex-
pediencies. The Government hoped
that the private operators would take
over the contract. The Interior Depart
ment issued optimistic statements to the
effect that the mines would be returned
to the owners within short time. 1t
has not worked out that way.
The mines have been operating full
tilt since June /. but, so far as peace
within the industry is concerned, the
Government finds the situation pretty
much as it was when it took over in
May, excepting that there is evidence
that rather strong segment of the op-
orators would like to get their mines
back If this could be done by buying"
the Krug-Lewis agreement. This seq
ment does not like the agreement. They
feel 1t is the best deal they can make.
There is, however, another obstacle
to release of the mines, one of unde-
termined size. From statements origi-
mating on all sides it is apparent that
Mr.. Lewis now wants concessions be-
yond provisions of the Government con-
tract. Some of the things he wants
are apparent, and will be enumerated
later, but just how many new demands
he will make will not be known until
he sits down with the operators next
week. "'
Outlook Not Bright.
The outlook for success of the Moreel
parley and release of the mines does
not appear sanguine when you put
probability of new demands atop the
fact that big part of the industry
especially the so-called Southern oper-
ators, do not appear ready even to ac-
cept the Government agreement.
In event of failure OF next weeks
talks, Admiral Moreell's strategy will
be to let the parties stew for couple
OF months more and try again with
another conference. He can't let go.
All sides profess hearty dislike for
Government operation of the mines. 1t
is obvious that the private operators
and Admiral Moreell, who is anxious
to get back to his Navy duties, do not
like it.
The union says I'VE want to get rid
OF Government ownership. We are just
as opposed to it as Wall Street or any,
body else-probably more so"
That is probably true, because the
present arrangement and what it might
lead to does not fit in with Mr.. Lewis
free enterprise philosophy. He believes
in catch-as-catch-can economy with
complete freedom of action, particularly
for himself. Government operation pre-
cludes the right to strike and imposes
other restrictions.
Lewis Prefers to Bargain.
The talk about Mr. Lewis deliberately
forcing naturalization of the industry
by his unyielding attitude seems to be
pure bunk. He and his union would
lose as much as the owners under such
an arrangement. The bushy-browed
leader is out to drive as hard a bargain
as possible and he will yield when that
point is reached.
Actually, current operation of the
mines bears no similarity to national
ization and would not even if continued
unless the owners reach the
unlikely point of throwing up their
hands and telling Uncle Sam "You
can have them. We don't want EN-
Arrangements have been completed
by Admiral Moreells people, however,
for longtime, token possession of the
It is understood that the neces-
sary forms and papers are printed about
a year ahead. But, the admiral does not
believe most of the forms viii be used.
The present situation is only token
Federal possession since the mines are
operated by the private personnel as
managers for the Government. The COM
panies still operate as in the past.
taking in the money and keeping the
nr0f7tc About tho nn1y difference ic