The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-04
Unions Chief Counsel Lifts InitioI Hopes
Questions Jurist's Altitude lf WoIkouf Is Brought Co End

"hA sVfhs DEAs WI Judge T. Alan GOldsbOr- Ough today deferred impOsi- ton of contempt penalties on John L. Lewis and the United Mine Workers (A.F.L.) amid indications that Lewis was considering the possibility of calling of the national coal strike.
 There was no positive indi- cation that the strike actually would be called of. But it was learned on excellent authority that Lewis attorneys had asked Colds borough what the situation would be If the strike were called of tl1is afternoon.
 GOldsoOrough judged Lewis and the union guilty of contempt yes- l terday for their refusal fo obey temporary court order of Nov. 1R to cancel the walkout Of 100000 soft coal miners. He deferred seu- tence until 70 4. M. today. Padway Haises Possibility
 But at 10 A. M. the judge called union and government counsel into his chambers for conferences and at noon he ordered a recess until 2 P. Nj EST.
 While Government and union counsel talked with Goldsborough in the judges office. the 65-year old Q. M. ". chief paced back and forth in jury room adjoining the court chamber or conferred with legal aides
 A. F. L Counsel Joseph A. Pad- way was the one who. it vas re- ported. raised the possibility that the mine shutdown might be e~ded.
 He was reported on good author ity to have asked GoldsborouRh what penalties Lewis and the UNIV. might expect if. belatedly. they ooeyed the Nov. IS restraining or- der
 Judges Reply Secret
 GoldsbOrough's reply was not learned Presumably. he would soli- cit the Governments recommenda- tions. The Government attitude was not learned either.
 Presumably the answer would be forthcoming after court convenes at 3 P. NJ
 GoldsbOrOugh originally had de- ferred sentencing until today to give Government and union c0un- Sel a chance to advise him as to what they believed the penalties should be-
 chambers and then the recess until 3 o'clock made it apparent that more than routine matters about the sentencing were being considered.
 Heavy Penalties Expected The Government had indicated it would recommend a jail sentence for Lewis and a heavy fine-prob- ably perhaps as much as e20o 00o 8 day until the strike ends-fof him and the union.
 Goldsborough found the defend- ants guilty of both civil and crizni- nal contempt for refusing to obey his court order. Under the rules of civil contempt the judge may im- pose any penalty he considers ap- propriate.
 The prolonged series of discus sions in GOldsborough's chambers gave weight to the report that Lewis was exploring the possibility of ordering the miners back ko work They lasted from 10 A. M. until Il:59 A. M. when GOldsh0r- ough returned to the courtroom and ordered the three-hour recess.
 Goldsb0rough made no public ex- planation for the long recess or for the conferences in his once.
 No Comment When UNIV. Counsel Weily K Hopkins and Padway left the court room at noon. both replied mo comment" to questions about the conferences.
 And mo comment was EAwisF only remark when he stepped Into the elevator outside the Courtroom. With his lawyers. he went directly to UNIV. headqnaxterz-
 When G0ldshorOugh announced the recess. a loud chorus ol soher swelled from spectators in zI1e damned courtroom. The haillH bad to rap for order.
 Also before Goldsbor1ugh for e. ton expected some time today. Has a Government petition for nn i'm junction to replace the temporary order of Nov. IS.