The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-04
MORE ABOUT
UNION
FROM PAGE ONE

the possibility Of heavy penalties
perhaps in the nature Of drastic
daily fines. Judge Goldsborough
has the power to impose an I'm.
Limited fine or jail sentence if he
wishes.
Hits People
The coal strike which Lewis re-
fused to call off moved closer to
the average citizen Tuesday night
with these actions:
l. The Interstate Commerce
commission ordered a general en-
barge on railroad freight ship
ments, except for certain vital
needs.
2. With Christmas only three
weeks off, the Post Office depart
ment limited the size and weight
Of parcel post packages.
8. The Office of Defense Trans
portation ordered another Is per
cent slash in passenger service on
coal-burning misunderstanding SO
per cent in all.
The freight and parcel post con-
trolls become effective Thursday
midnight. The passenger order
takes effect Sunday night.
President Truman, commanding
the governments battle with Lewis,
met reporters but declined to COM
ment on the crisis. He said he was
leaving the situation in the hands
Of the court. '
Federal Judge Goldsborough, in
a soft, hardly audible voice, pro-
ounced his verdict by agreeing to
the conclusions proposed to him by
the U. S. Justice department.
Guilty Of Contempt
Those conclusions, made public
two hours later, showed the judge
had found both Lewis and his union
the United Mine workers. AFL-
guilty of civil contempt" and
criminal contempt"
The document said Lewis and the
union had ''unlawfully coerced in
stigated, induced, and encouraged
the miners to interfere with the
operation of the aforementioned
coal mines "by strike, showdown,
walkout, cessation of work, or 9TH
erwise."
This language suggested that the
government next May prosecute
Lewis as an alleged violator of
the War Labor Disputes act (Smith-
Connally act). This law forbids any
one to encourage a strike against
the government.
The document also said Lewis
and the union Constructed" the
United States. in its exercises of
sovereign functions.
Goldsborough rules Lewis and
the union in contempt because
they did not obey his restraining
order Of Nov. 10. That order, if
obeyed, would have headed off the
bituminous coal Walkout which oc-
Cured at midnight Nov. 20. Lewis
had given notice he was breaking
off his contract with the govern
ment, and the judges action Of
Nov. IS ordered him not to let this
notice stay in effect.
Historic Verdict
Today's historic verdict against
Lewis came on the 18th day of
that walkout. More and more of the
nations industry felt the pinch as
coal-piles shrank. And the outlook
for getting the men back to work
was as gloomy as ever.
Edward R. Bure, who wanted the
private coal operators to sit down
and bargain with Lewis, resigned
as president of the Southern Coal
Producers association. He, quit after
a powerful section of his board of
directors denounced his proposal
for talks with Lewis.
The government has been in pos
session of the soft coal mines since
May % but is eager to get rid Of
them any time Lewis and the pri-
vate owners come to terms.
Goldsborough asked the attorneys
on both sides-for the government
and Lewis-to give their views
Wednesday 90 AM. EST on what
penalties he should impose.