Evening star., 1946-11-26
FeeIers' Put Out
By Lewis and
Coal Industry
High Authority Says
Wuy tc End Strike
Is Being Sought
80, 900 NOW IDLE in steel, rail and
related industries. Page Az
TWO MERCHANTS face arrest on
dimout violation charges.
Page B-l
By james Y. Newton

JOllIi IL. LEWIS dliu Gel IdliI
segments" of the coal industry
have exchanged "feelers" on pos
sible ways of settling the soft
coal crisis without Government
help, il was learned today on
high authority.
Federal officials said it was known
that peace overtures had come from
both sides in talks during the past
week between Mr.. Lewis and GER
tain Midwestern and Eastern inter-
ests. They described the Interests"
as powerful banking, railroad and
steel industry groups who own coal
mines as well as being dependent
upon the fuel.
Meanwhile, leaders of President
Truman's finish fight with Mr.. Lewis
said the Government will stand firm
against the union boss even in the
event, which they hold unlikely,
that they lose present court action
against the United Mine Workers
and its chief.
No News at White House.
Charles G. Ross, Mr.. Truman's
press secretary, said there were no
new developments on coal at the
White House. He said he did not
know whether the President had
held informal talks with Secretary
of Interior Krug or Attorney Gen.
eral Clark on the matter. Mr.. Ross
commented: after all, the matter
is in the hands of the court"
Several coal operators were queried
by The Star on the peace feelers"
approach and denied knowledge Of
any overtures to or from Mr.. Lewis.
One member of the industry Nego-
tiating Committee expressed his view
in this way:
"Mr. Lewis got into this trouble
himself. Let him pull his own chest
nuts out of the fire. I certainly don't
think we should do it for him. Be-
sides, we think there is good
chance of the Government beating
him"
In voicing discrimination not to
yield to Mr.. Lewis, Government OFF,
cials referred to the UNIV de
mands for so per cent higher base
pay for the miners and doubled
welfare fund, which Secretary Krug
contends must be negotiated with
owners of the mines, not the Cow
ernment. AL indicated that the
Government could not Let go, and
that Mr.. Truman,s decision to battle
lit out with Mr.. Lewis was firmer
than ever.
With the pinch of the six-day
walkout of 400, 900 soft coal miners
already being felt by many sections
of the economy, Federal attorneys
sought swift trial Of Mr.. Lewis
and his union which viii begin to-
morrow before Justice Alan Colds
borough in District Court.
Friday Session Fought.
The Government, it was said, win
press for speed on all points at the
contempt of court trial. Thursday
Thanksgiving Day-will be hoi-
day, but Federal attorneys said they
would ask Justice Goldsborough to
hold session of court Friday, If that
is necessary.
It was learned that some top ad.
visers of the President, while hope
full that court action viii bring MIR.
Lewis to terms, are not resting all
their faith in legal moves.
They say the Government has no
intention of ever "heeling" to MIR.
Lewis. When he finally realizes 1t.
they expect him to look for an "out"
lin the situation. Then, the officials
ere relying on increasing pressure OF
the public, and possible move from
the rest of labor on Mr.. Lewis not
to carry all labor down with him.
In the event MIR. Lewis Is con.
victed of contempt in ignoring JUS
tice Goldsborough's order to call OF
the strike and the Government wins
a declaratory judgment against the
United Mine Workers for breach Of
contract. an official said that would
open the union to damage suits
from almost every segment Of in
dustry. They say it would bank.
rupt the. union in short order.
Might Arrange Deal.
Federal officials believe that IL Q
IDEAL" with the miners can be ar
ranged by a sizeable segment Of
the coal operators the rest of the
industry viii be forced to go along.
Then, too, there is possibility
that Mr.. Lewis and a large number
of other union officials, local as
well as national, will be prosecuted
for violation of the Smith Connally
Act, which forbids strike against
the Government.
President Truman, it was said, Is
not putting much faith in any
remedial action that might arise
from calling a special session of the
lame duck Congress. In the event
the strike drags on and it appears
that only Congress could rescue the
Nation, his plan is to take all posi-
BILE steps to save present supplies Of
coal and call on the country to
(See COAL, Page A-4l
4