The Nome nugget., 1947-03-26
Times Awasting


 HOW MUCH LONGER is the federal government to stay in the coal business? That question of much cern Chairman White (Rep.) of Maine of the Senate committee interstate has said he feels the government, the mine owners and the miners union should be called before his committee explain the act status of the situation which exists Senator Cape hart Rep of Indiana has expressed hope this will be done. Il am not only somewhat confused, but am lit tie frightened Senator Capehart told the Senate "be cause from technical standpoint, have at the mo- ment nationalZed our coal mines. We have situation in which our government is operating the coal mines under agreement between it and the miners and yet the coal operators taking the profits It appears me that the mine have made no effort to take back their own property.
 John L. Lewis states he has been ready at all times to sit down and negotiate with the government with the operators Yet Captain Cosson federa coal mines admnlstrator) stated of two occasions that Lewis was not willing to sit down and negotiate.
 So far the government has been unable to get the mine to take their mines back So far the men has been unable to get the mine owners and the miners union to sit down and negotiate In other words collective bargaining in this instance has failed com pete So far able to learn no effort is being madeor at least progress is being made-in respect to returning private property which is technically in the hands of our government"
 Recently, Senator Capehart asked Lewis, who heads the United Mine Workers and the government the fol- lowing questions:
 1-"What steps has the government taken toward re- turning the mines to the mine owners?
 2-'When will negotiations start between the mine operators and the with respect to new contract?
 3-"What disposition has been made of the miners welfare fund and how much money is in the fund? How much money has been spent and for what purposes?
 4-"Who are the trustees of the welfare fund?"
 According to the replies received by Senator Cape hart nothing has been done toward returning the mines to their Nobody knows when negotiations will be started between the union and the operators The welfare fund amounts to about 5 and one-haf mil lion dollars The paymaser general of the navy is hold ing as custodian No money has been spent from it. The board of trustees to administer the fund has not been completed. Lewis has been named to represent the union and Captain Collisson to represent the ment. They have not agreed upon the third member Lewis has submitted list of eleven for this place the board and Captain Colsson has the appointment under consideration:
 This miners welfare fund established under the agreement made between secretary of interior Krug and Lewis last June after the had taken mines to prevent strike Captain Collisson says he not notified until Dec 26 that the union had selected Lewis last June D to be its representative the board of trustees Collisson notified the union Jan g that he had appointed himself to the board.
 If the miners in such dire need as was claimed it that both the union and government have been reise in failure to organize the board of trustees to ad