Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-19
Lewis Complies
With High Court
Strike Order
Withdruws His Notice
Of End of Coal Pact
With Government
By james Y. Newton

John L. Lewis today bowed to
the Supreme Court and with
drew his contract terminal
ing notice which brought on
last falls soft coal strike and
threatened a new stoppage
April /.
In 20-word letter, Mr.. Lewis in
formed Secretary of the Interior
Krug that the notice he sent the
Federal coal mines boss last No
vember Is sis hereby uncondition-
ally withdrawn"
1t was that notice to Mr.. Krug.
telling him the contract under
which the Government has oper-
ated the Nations soft coal mines
since last May was being termi-
mated, that caused the miners IT.
day walkout and resulted in the
Governments court action against
Mr.. Lewis and his United Mine
Workers.
The Supreme Court upheld the
District Court contempt conviction
of the union boss and UNIV for
ignoring an order to withdraw the
termination" notice before the No.
vember strike. The high court re-
duced the unions $3,500,0OO fine to
100000, but ruled the remaining
50 100000 must be paid unless Mr..
Lewis withdrew the notice. The
$4,000 fine levied on Mr.. Lewis
was upheld.
Negotiations Effort Expected.
Last December 7, Mr.. Lewis called
truce in the strike to allow the
Supreme Court to decide the merits
of the Governments injunction and
contempt conviction. He ordered
the miners to work until midnight
March 81.
Withdrawal of the notice by Mr..
Lewis indicates there will be no
coal strike at least until the Gov
eminent has to turn back the seized
mines to their owners June 80.
Secretary Krug was expected to
try Immediately to bring Mr.. Lewis
and the mine owners together for
negotiations regarding a contract
for private operation of the mines.
CONTRACT agreement within the in
dustry would enable the Govern
ment to release the mines.
Mr.. Lewis action continues in
force the contract he signed with
Mr.. Krug late last May after the
Government had seized the mines to
end 59-day stoppage.
Copies of Mr.: Lewis letter also
went to members of the UNIV noti-
flying them that he had called off
his notice to end the contract with
the Government.
Text of Letter to Miners.
The text of the letter to the mine
workers, which included copy of his
notice to Mr.. Krug, follows:
ITO the members of the United
Mine Workers of America:
Greetings:
THE following is the exact text
OF letter sent to the Secretary Of
the Interior in charge of coal mines
administration:
March 10, 1947.
Honorable j. A. Krug,
Secretary of the Interior,
Washington, D. c.
Dear sir:
1.-THE notice of November Is, 1916,
terminating the Krug-Lewis agree
ment as of November goth, 1916,
lis hereby Internationally with
drawn.
Yours truly,
United Mine Workers of Amer
lea. BY: John L. Lewis, president
THE instruction of December Z.
1916, to members of the United Mine
Workers of America to continue
production Of bituminous coal until
March 81, 1947, is hereby uncondi-
tionally withdrawn and all the
members of the United Mine Work.
ers of America are hereby instructed
that said Krug-Lewis agreement Is
in full force and effect until final
determination of the basic issues
arising under the agreement.
These actions have been taken In
full copformance with the, orders
and directions of the District Court
of the United States for the District
of Columbia as affirmed by the Su-
preme Court of the United States on
March 6, 1947.
THE foregoing is for your oficiaf
information,
Sincerely Yours,
JOHN l.. LEWIS,
President"