Evening star., 1946-11-20
No Sign of Action
By Lewis Before
DeodIine Seen
BY james Y. Newton

- "6AhSoV VA &1A0DI Vi Vic 4Nd.
tion'S 100000 soft coal miners
was considered a certainty today
regardless of what eleventh hour
action John L. Lewis might take
about the District Court order
designed to head off termination
OF contract and a strike. .
Coal field reports indicated that
more than 1T4,000 miners are idle to-
day. The move was spreading rapid
ly, and Federal officials here estimat-
ed that the figure would be doubled
today although MIR. Lewis dead
line for termination" of the con-
tract is midnight tonight.
There still was no indication that
Mr.. Lewis would take any action.
He might simply ignore the re-
straining order of Justice T. Alan
Goldsborough and face any con-
tempt proceedings that may be
brought against him.
MIR. Lewis left his Alexandria
home early today and had breakfast
at the Carlton Hotel, but afterward
his moves were mystery. He could
not be located at either his office
or the Carlton, where he spent most
OF yesterday.
Legal Staff Confers.
The mine workers legal staff,
headed by Welly K. Hopkins and
William E. Leahy, was in confer
ence but kept nature of their de-
hberations closely guarded secret.
Federal legal minds said, however,
that several avenues were open to
the union boss. He could go into
court today and ask dismissal of
the order. Even If overruled he
could appeal, which would prob
ably delay a showdown. In that
event it would be up to Justice
Goldsborough to decide whether
Mr.. Lewis had violated his order
by not retracting his contract
terminating notice to Secretary of
Interior Krug.
Even should Mr.. Lewis comply
fully to all intents and purposes to
the court order, Federal officials |
believe a strike is inevitable now.
They pointed out that it is now too
late to get such word to the remote
coal fields. Some doubted that the
miners who have strict mo con-
tract, no work" policy and who are
worked up" over the dispute would |
obey a last-minute Lewis order.
The miners could strike regard
less of action by their officials and
in that way keep the cheat" on the
Government.
Other Developments.
Meanwhile, there swere these de-
velopments:
l. The Army announced that
troops will be ready, if needed, to
maintain order. Federal officials
said the mines would be kept open
for work tomorrow and that pro
lection" would be at hand for any
miners desiring to work. That,
presumably, means the troops.
2. The Government prepared al
call to Governors of all States East
of the Mississippi for "brownouts"
and rationing of electricity and
manufactured gas-a move affecting
millions.
8. Republican and Democratic
lawmakers joined in a rising chorus
of demands for labor management
legislation when the new Congress
meets January 8. There were scat
tered demands from members for
an immediate special session.
Interpretations Conflict.
Mr.. Lewis own Interpretation of
the contract which he signed with
MIR. Krug May 20 after the Govern
ment had seized the mines is that
either he or the Government could
terminate it on notice. Mr.. Lewis
notice expires at midnight.
Mr.. Krug's Interpretation is that
the contract was intended for the
entire period of Government possess
sion and that Mr.. Lewis could neith-
er reopen. nor end it. The Secretary
is soGdly supported by President
Truman and Attorney General
Clark.
]o 10 a AcdI llAlAoll 1lBllI Will tIic
big mass of the miners who so often
In the past has caused the Govern
ment to retreat, and officials said
frankly anything could happen.
The Government, however, Is
fighting strike with other weapons,
too, including the threat to the
Governments sovereignty involved
in strike and Mr.. Lewis defiance
OF Federal authority.
Some officials were concerned
that the administration might be
in for a long and tempestuous
struggle.
One official said privately the
feeling in the coal industry was
that it might take six months to
(Sna COAL Dooo EN