Evening star., 1946-05-26
Goal Truce0ver,
Pits;
Lewis Adamant
Krug Fails to Wiring
Concessions But Plans
New PorIey Today
By jones Y. Newton

The 15-day soft coal st-::ke
truce expired at midnight after
Secretary of Interior Krug re-
ported he had been unable to
wiring from John L. Lewis an
agreement to order his 100000
miners to stay on the job. Oper-
ations ceased as the last shift
left the pits yesterday.
Mr.. Krug and his deputy as the
Governments mine boss, Vice
Admiral Ben Moreell, met with Mr..
Lewis and his lieutenants twice yes
terday in conferences lasting six
hours. The last meeting broke up
at 8 pm. after which Mr.. Krug an
nounced that Mr.. Lewis was unyield-
ing He said another session will be
held today at an hour which had
not been decided. @
Through a spokesman, Mr.. Krug
sent word to neWsmen that Mr..
Lewis position on ordering the men
to work tomorrow through extension
of the truce or termination of the
strike altogether was that he can
not, under the Smith, -Connally Act,
take any action to interfere with
the miners" The United Mine
Workers Policy Committee usually
makes such decisions and Mr.. Lewis
is said to fear that a violation OF
the Act might result from the con-
vening of the group at this time.
Pits Sure to Be Idle.
Mr.. Lewis decision to let the truce
expire without action virtually pre-
cluded the possibility than any ap-
preciable amount of soft coal will
be mined in the next few days
regardless of what happens at to-
days meeting with Mr.. Krug. 1t was
considered a safe bet that the men
will resume their strike unless word
to the contrary is received. Even
if some agreement is reached today
officials estimated several days will
be required to pass the word along
and get the pits operating.
! Immediately after Mr.. Krug re-
ported the meetings with the union
had been fruitless, Admiral Moreen
issued an appeal to the miners in
which he said the mines would be
open tomorrow morning at the reg
ular time anA that the Government
expects the workers to show up.
He said: mo prolongation of the
strike at this time can or will i'm
prove the contract which comes out
of the negotiations.
Lewis Unmoved.
Mr.. Krug held his sessions with
the mine workers officials both be-
fore and after President Trumans
strike-control message to the joint
session of Congress. Before the last
meeting broke up, the negotiators
received the news that the House
had passed the drastic legislation
applying to strikes against the Gov
ernment.
If Mr. Lewis was moved by the
action at the Capitol, it was not
discernable. He left the night meet
Ing with Mr.. Klug in CHEEKY mood,
telling newsmen who inquired as to
his next move: Il hate to use stereo-
typed phrases, gentlemen. but you
will have to consult the Secretary.
have nothing to say"
The failure of the Government to
bring the coal strike to an end indl-
Gated that Mr.. Lewis felt the "prin-
ciples" of a new work contract SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. Krug were unac-
ceptable.
Mr.. Krug had not expected that
contract for Government operation
of the mines would be completed by
this time, but he had hoped the
union would accept the principles
on the various. issues in dispute and
terminate the strike pending the
working out of contract details.
Offer Is Outlined.
Mr.. Lewis, it was said. was offered
health and welfare fund, the de-
tails of which would be worked out
by the Social Security Board. 1t was
understood board experts believed
the fund should be independently or
jointly operated by union and man.
agement and that it should be a
mutual fund-supported by the work.
ers as we'll as mine operators. The
union leader stuck to his demand for
a union administered fund sup
(See COAL, Page AID