Evening star., 1946-11-24
Truman Sees Top Advisers,
Krug Calls for Drastic Steps
BY Communities to Save Cool
Arguments Polished
For Lewis Contempt
Hearing Tomorrow
(Tert OF Coal Conservation State
ments on Page A-6.J
BY jones Y. Newton

late yesterday from a week,
vacation and Immediately con.
ferred with top advisers on the
coal crisis. At the same time the
Government asked for drastic
rationing" of coal by local CON-
munities in anticipation of a
lengthy battle with John L. Lewis
Attorneys for Mr.. Lewis and the
Justice Department meanwhile put
finishing touches to arguments they
will present in District Court at 1C
am. tomorrow, when Mr.. Lewis ap-
pears before Justice T. Alan Colds
borough to answer a contempt cita-
ton.
The case resulted from Mr.. Lewis
failure to comply with a restrain
ing order in which he was told to
call of the Nationwide strike.
Mr.. Truman, tanned and rested
met IN his study for an hour and 20
minutes with Reconversion Director
Steelman, Clark Clifford, his per-
sonal counsel, both of whom re-
turned with him from Key West,
Fla; Secretary of Labor .Schwellen-
bach, Secretary of Interior Krug and
Attorney General Clark. The lat
ter two have been directing the "1n-
Ism fight" that the President or
dered with Mr.. Lewis.
Strategy Discussed.
1t was presumed the top officials
and Mr.. Truman discussed battle
strategy and ways of ending the
four-day coal strike. The only Of
f1cial comment came from Charles
G. Ross, White House press secre-
tary, who said: "The President de-
sired to get more detailed report
on the coal situation than he had
been able to get" in Key West.
While those attending the con-
ference were mum on matters dis
cussed, observers recalled that one
Idea much discussed among Govern
ment officials is a possibility of a
stiff" daily fine against the miners
union If the Government wins its
coming court test.
This possibility, officials have said,
would embody recommendation to
the court-if Mr.. Lewis were ad-
judged in contemplation a heavy
fine against MIR. Lewis and the union
Tor every day the strike continues
beyond November 20.
Secretary Krug telegraphed all
State Governors asking them to take
the strictest sort of measures to
conserve coal. He suggested cur
tailments Of industrial power, dim
outs more extensive than those al
ready ordered and the closing of
amusement places and even schools
in communities where coal stocks
are low.
Nations Supply 81 Days.
Mr.. Krug tightened the freeze of
soft coal supplies ordered a week
ago. He disclosed the freeze had
netted less than two days normal
production for emergency distribu-
tion above supplies held by dealers
and on docks. The Nation, how
ever, is estimated to have a 37-day
supply of the fuel, most of it in
the hands of consumers and dealers.
That supply is not evenly distrib-
uted and shortages already are be-
ing felt in some places.
"This critically small emergency
stock" Mr.. Krug wired the Gov
ernors, referring to the emergency
coal frozen at mines and weighing
yards, makes it imperative that
you, by proclamation or other
means, notify the communities of
your State that these supplies will
soon be exhausted unless the most
prudent and drastic tationing is
(Cao NnhI pano IL