Evening star., 1946-12-07
Miners Told
To Go Back 10
Work al Once
UNIV Leader Sets
March 81, l947,
Limit on Order
BULLETIN

BULLETIN
John L. Lewis called off
the Nationwide soft coal
strike by announcement
at 2::15 pm. today. He ad-
vised locals of the United
Mine Workers that "all
mines in all districts will
resume production of coal
i'm m e dia teIy until IL
o'clock midnight, March
81, 1947."
Attorney General Clark and
United Mine Workers counsel
conferred with Chief Justice Vim
son today on the request OF the
Government for immediate Su-
preme Court review of the John
L. Lewis contempt case.
Court attaches indicated the Chief
Justice would bring the matter be-
fore other members of the high
court at their weekly noon confer
ence.
Meanwhile, at the White House
President Truman devoted full time
to preparation of his coal crisis talk
to be broadcast at $50 pm. tomor-
row. He Cancelled all other engage
ments for the day.
Connect Is With Clark.
Mr.. Clark was accompanied to the
court by Assistant Attorney General
John F. Sonnet, who has been lead
ing prosecution of the miners case
Appearing for the coal miners
were Welly K. Hopkins, chief coun-
sci for the UNIV, and Joseph A
Padway, general counsel OF the
American Federation of Labor.
Federal officials, meanwhile, were
encouraged by reports that some
miners in the big production areas
were returning to the soft coal pits
in defiance of Mr.. Lewis. They
turned hopefully to the Presidents
address tomorrow night to quicker
the back-to-work movement.
In his radio talk Mr.. Truman, i
was said, will make clear that the
Government cannot and will mo-
bow before Mr.. Lewis in the Goa
crisis, but will appeal to the miners
as patriotic citizens not to do further
harm to the Nations economy. Hi
talk is not expected to be as tough
as the one. he made last spring JUS
before the railroad strike was broken
Men Trickling Back.
Reports indicated that union a
well as nonunion miners were trick
ling back to their jobs. Jesse v
Sullivan, secretary of the West Vir
ginia Coal Association, said tn
number returning to work in scat
tered operations was increasing daily
and that the men were "seemingl.
fearless" of union retaliation. HI
pointed out that national soft Goa
production now is 100000 tons {
week compared with 100000 tons II
last springs long strike.
The Government reported "A
mines operating in Ohio, Pennsyl
vania and West Virginia, with pro
duction about is per cent of normal
Watch for Violence.
officials watched the situation
carefully for signs of violence. TIL
Army already has been alerted II
protect those miners who wish II
work.
On labor's side of the argumen
over the Governments use OF
court Injunction to break the Goa
strike, President A. F. Whitney o
the Brotherhood of Railroad Train
men, pledged participation in
united front conference of labo.
leaders urged by CIO Presiden
Philip Murray to resist the lega
and legislative drive against th'
UNIV and all labor.
Murray Calls for Stand.
Mr.. Murray had called on all th'
unions to stand together agains
"the ferocious attack now being
made upon them" The labor lead
ers fear increasing use OF the olt
injunctive process to break thu
unions.
At about the same time late yes
terday that the Government wa.
moving the Lewis case to the Su
preme Court, the union filed tw,
new motions in District Court wher,
MIR. Lewis and the UNIV were finet
a total of $3,510,000 for contemp
for ignoring Justice Goldsborough'
order to call off the strike.
One of these seeks dismissal O.
the entire Government complain
against Mr.. Lewis. The other is {
notice of special appeal from th'
lower courts preliminary injunction
That injunction replaced the re.
straining order which directed Mr.
Lewis to withdraw his contract ter.
mination notice which precipitatee
the strike.
Fast footwork by Justice Depart.
ment aides and District Court of.
ficials sped the contempt appeal te
the highest tribunal within a few
hours after it was filed in District
Court yesterday by the United Mine
Workers.
The Governments brief said only
1See COAL, Page A-4)