Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-10-24
Truman, Silent
|0n Coal, Leaves
Crisis 10 Krug
President Declares
Natter Has Not
Been Given to Him
By jones Y. Newton

PRESIDENT truman To-Day re-
fused comment on the threat of
a Nationwide soft coal strike
November l and placed the bur-
den of dealing with John L. Lewis
on the shoulders of Secretary of
Interior Krug.
The President told his news con-
ference that the latest coal crisis
had not been brought to him and
that Mr.. Krug was handling 1t.
Mr.. Krug now is on an extensive
trip through the West inspecting
interior projects and has indicated
he would be unable to return by
November /.
That Is the date set by Mr.. Lewis
for voidance Of his present wage
agreement with the Government
unless conference to discuss a
new agreement is convened.
Mr.. Truman likewise refused COM
ment on the future wage controls
or the resignation several weeks
ago Of the industry members Of
the Wage Sterilization Board.
AS to the administration future
policy on wage controls, he referred
reporters to his radio speech Octo-
Der IA lifting price controls on
meat. In that speech, he said that
all controls would be shed as quick
ly as possible. The implication in
the Presidents remarks today was
that wage curbs would be dropped
industry by industry as price con-
trolls are lifted.
Ofiicials of the Interior Depart
ment and its Coal Mines Admins
tration, which has operated the soft
coal mines since the Government
seized them last May to END So
day strike, had looked to the Presi-
dent for guidance in the new crisis
raised by Mr.. Lewis.
There has been little indication
as to what the Government intends
to do about the threat of mine
walkout. Ofncials have the choice
Of giving In to Mr.. Lewis, Of trying
to stall of q strike by talking 1t
over with the union leader, or Of
getting tough, in which event a
strike would be the almost certain
result.
Secretary Krug, the main target
Of Mr.. Lewis charges of breach OF
the Government contract, expressed
doubt that the miners would walk
out II > new wage conference was
not started November !.
Other Federal officials have ex-
pressed the private opinion that Mr..
Lewis sudden decision to get tough
with the Government was designed
to influences the coming elections.
This opinion was somewhat
strengthened by remarks of 4
United Mine workers of1cial.
william Blizzard, president of the
union district at Charleston, w. Va,
termed what he called the Govern
ments one-sided Interpretation OF
its contract with the miners "a plot
by INSCRIPTIONS members of the
Democratic Party to destroy our
union"
"Should Vote Like They Strike"
1.-THE miners should vote like they
strike" Mr.. Blizzard said.
1.-THE Governments entire effort
and the Democratic Senator and
Congressman from West Virginia as
well as the CIO Political Action
Committee are all tied up in it
has been aimed at rendering our
contract ineffective after making 1t
with us"
The Government seized the mines
last May and subsequently Mr.. Krug
and Mr.. Lewis signed an agreement
that ended a 59-day soft coal strike.
This agreement was for the. period
Of Government operation only.
1t is in regard to whether the
agreement can be reopened that
the whole present dispute revolves.
Mr.. Lewis contends that reopening
provisions of the 1915 mine con-
tract is carried over into the Krug
agreement. MIR. Krug says the pro-