Evening star., 1946-12-08
u. S. Ready to Invoke
Smith Connolly Law
Order Comes
Return to Work
Due Tomorrow
In Most Pits
(Tert OF Let0is Announcement on
Page A-S.)
By jones Y. Newton

(TeTt OF Le1CtS Announcement on
Page AS.
By jones Y. Newton
John L. Lewis dramatically
ended the soft coal strike yes
terday afternoon, bowling to the
drive of President Truman and
the Government to crack his
power.
He ordered the 100000 members
Of his United Mine Workers to re-
turn Immediately under terms OF
the Krug-Lewis agreement which
he terminated" November 20 to
bring on the strike.
The powerful miners boss stated
in a letter to the UNIV members
that coal production will be con-
tinued until midnight March 81,
pending Supreme Court ruling on
mis- and the unions conviction for
contempt in ignoring court order
designed to head off the strike.
Ready to Start Talks.
What happens after March 81 will
be determined by the result of con-
tract negotiations Mr.. Lewis said he
is willing to hold either with the
Government or the private mine
owners.
The strikes end came suddenly
and Unexpectedly. 1t was believed
that most of the soft coal pits will
be in operation tomorrow.
President Truman, apparently as
surprised by the development as
any one, cancelled the broadcast
he had planned for tonight on the
coal crisis. He was silent on the
outcome OF the finish fight he had
pledged. with Mr.. Lewis. Smiling,
he closed his office and went to an
exhibition at the National Art
Gallery.
1t appeared to be big victory
for the Government and the first
time Mr.. Lewis has been denied
what he wanted since the 1920s.
Mr.. Lewis action apparently
ayerted what appeared to be shap-
| ing up as pitched battle between
the Government and all organized
labor over the use of injunction
Ito halt a strike. His friends in
the AFL and his foes in the CIO
il1ad pledged themselves to light
| the miners, battle to the end.
The miners chief gave two rea-
sons for his sudden move He said
It was done so that the Supreme
Court in considering the contempt
case might be "free from public
pressure superinduced by the hys-
terra and frenzy of an economic
crisis" and that public necessity
requires the quantitative produce
tfoh ef coal during such period"
Although Mr. Lewis counseled
newsmen against speculation on his
motives, it was evident that ne
feared loss of the contempt and in
junction fight if the high court
acted on the case while an economy
paralyzing strike was in progress.
Attorneys See Vinson.
The Supreme Court was consider
ing Justice Department request
for an unprecedentedly speedy re-
view of the Lewis case just as the
strike was Cancelled.
Attorneys for the Government
and union conferred with Chief JUS
tice Vinson twice yesterday-once
before noon and again late IN the
day. The court sent word later
that there would be no announce
ment on the matter Immediately.
The nine justices might say tomor-
row whether they will take the case
direct from Justice T. Alan Colds
borough in District Court, bypass
ing the Court of Appeals.
Mr.. Lewis apparently believed
there would be early final deter
mination of the case, for he said
future contract negotiations will be
within the limitations of the find
ings of the Supreme Court.
Announcement of the end of the
strike was made by Mr.. Lewis to
nearly hundred newsmen hurriedly
summoned to 2 pm. press con-
ference in the basement assembly
room of the United Mine Workers
Headquarters at 18th and I streets
NV. The scene was replete with
the THEATRES the bushy -browed
union leader loves so much.
Suspense Built Up.
Walls of the large room are
covered with scores of cartoons OF
Mr.. Lewis and mementos of earlier
struggles of his union. Behind him
was the framed front page OF a New
York Journal of 1902. Its bold,
black headline, which seemed un-
usually appropriate at the time,
read: Morgan Orders Miners Union
Wiped Out"
Mr.. Lewis built UP reporters s,ls-
pense as he talked indirectly about
the announcement he was about to
make. He said he had a few words
to say that may be little more than
of local interest"
Cameramen crowded around him.
swapping his picture. Apparently
impatient to get on with the busl-1
ness on hand, Mr.. Lewis kept talk
ing in his deep voice.
He said ne WoulQ answer no quSo-
tions but wished to read his state
ment himself, so you'll be assured
it is my own
He quipped, paraphrasing Shake
speare. 'Tis poor thing, but tbs
mine own" (TIe did not say II he
had in mind the quotation from "As
You Like It''-"An il-favored thing,
sir. but mine own.') .
At times, as he read, MIR. Lewis
appeared tired and worn from his
prolonged duel with the Govern
ment.
When he referred to "the admin-
istration yellow dog injunction, he
was his usual rugged self, but as
he went on to reach the actual
words calling off the strike, MT:
Z ~ Az "a