Evening star., 1946-12-04
By james Y. Newton

by james 1. INeWtoH
Justice T. Alan Goldsborougf
postponed sentencing of John L
Lewis and the United Mine
Workers for contempt until :
o'clock today after holding
lengthy and unexplained con.
ferences in his chambers with
counsel for both defense and the
Government.
The court refused to explain th'
reasons for either the conference
or the long court recess. After HI
had met with counsel for nearly twt
hours, Justice Goldsborough con
vened court at 1855 am. and ther
promptly ordered a three-hour re-
cess. The sentencing originally wa
scheduled for 10 am.
When a reporter asked Justict
Goldsborough for an explanation ol
the delay, he simply smiled and said
Sorry"
There was unofficial talk that
some formula for ending the para
lying soft coal strike was being
sought. But official confirmation
that such an understanding might
be reached was lacking from any
of the top figures in the historic
trial.
May Be Discussing Penalties.
The best reason advanced for the
conferences and long recess seemed
to be that Justice Goldsborough still
was discussing with counsel for botf
sides the penalties he should levy
against Mr.. Lewis and his union II
the contempt case.
One Justice Department ofhcia
told newsmen the delay was asked
by Joseph A. Padway, AFL genera
counsel. Mr.. Padway had no com
ment.
After the recess was announced
Assistant Attorney General John F
Sonnett, in charge OF the Govern.
ment's legal team, strobe rapidly
from the courtroom and left thu
building.
UNIV Lawyers Confer.
Attorneys for both sides had beer
called to Justice Goldsborough'
chambers at 10 am. They conferred
with the jurist for 40 minutes.
Then Mr.. Lewis battery of attor'
news left the judges chamber ant
went into a huddle of their owl
in a jury room. Mr.. Lewis joined thu
conference of his attorneys whil'
Government lawyers stayed witt
Justice Goldsborough.
MIR, Lewis counsel ended the CON
ference with the union boss at, liz
am. and rejoined Government law
yers in Justice Goldsborougha
chambers. They stayed there unit
the recess was called.
Mr.. Lewis arrived at court at 9:5s
am. and Immediately took the same
chair he has occupied Throughout
the trial, which began a week agt
today. He sat in silence Tor
moment, staring out into the jam
med courtroom.
Then he arose and went to ar
anteroom to confer with Mr.. Pad.
way. The two returned after brie1
consultation.
PAGES About Impatiently.
Then the UNIV chief, apparent
ly growing impatient at the length
of the conference in the judge!
chamber, left the courtroom ane
paced the floor in an anteroon
formerly occupied by the prospective
jurors who were never called Il
try his case. A short time latel
he again left the courtroom to joir
his attorneys.
The United Mine Workers also
face sentence since the organization
too, was found guilty of contempt
In disregarding court order by
which the Government tried tt
head-off the Nationwide soft Goa
strike, now two weeks old.
Legal experts said there was NJ
limit on the jail term or fine which
Justice Goldsborough could impos
on Mr.. Lewis, who, just before h
was formally declared guilty yes
terday, delivered a de1&nt addres
to- the court that contained every
thing but hope for an early end o
the economy -paralyzing strike.
Government Favors Fines.
Leaders of President Truman
finish fight with Mr.. Lewis havt
favored a fine rather than jai
sentence for the union boss and al
even sitter fine for his union. II
event the Government recommenda'
tion is accepted, a fine would bt
levied for each day the strike con.
tinues.
Immediately after sentencing, Mr.
Lewis attorneys are expected tt
(See COAL, Page A-4D