Evening star., 1948-04-11
Coal Strike SIND
Imminent After
Martin
Lewis and Van Horn
Accept Bridges as
Umpire in Dispute

UNION FOUND GUILTY of Re-
fusal to Bargain; First Time I'm
der New Law. Page AS.
is RAIL UNIONS Open New Wage
Raise Drive. Page AS.
By jones 7. Newton
Coal industry hopes last night
we're high for an early end-per-
haps tomorrow of the four
week-old mine strike that has
cut deeply into the Nations
economy. The optimism STEM
med from the surprise announce
ment by House Speaker Martin
of agreement. on an umpire for
the strike-causing dispute over
pensions for miners.
Mr.. Martin, entering the picture
suddenly. called John L. Lewis and
Ezra Van Horn. the trustees of the
United Mine Workers welfare and
retirement fund, to his Capitol Office
and 13 minutes later announced
agreement on the umpire. The
Speaker then predicted a quick end
of the strike, perhaps by Tuesday.
Mr.. Lewis agreed the whole issue
could be settled within a few days.
The "umpire"-who actually will
serve with Mr. Lewis and Mr.. Van
Horn, the-smine operators trustee,
as a third or neutral trustee of the
welfare and pension funds Sem
ator Bridges, Republican, of New
Hampshire. He accepted immedi-
ately and will attend an important
meeting of the trustees called by
Chairman Lewis for 10 am. today.
Clark To Push Action.
Despite the optimistic turn in the
coal crisis, Attorney General Clark
announced that he will proceed with
the prosecution Of Mr.. Lewis and
the UNIV on contempt charges for
ignoring a week-old District Court
order to end the strike. Mr.. Lewis
and his union have been ordered
into court tomorrow to show why
they should not be held in con-
tempt and punished.
Mr.. Clark said the case has been
set for hearing by Justice T. Alan
Goldsborough and he indicated that
even II the men return to work the
proceedings against Mr.. Lewis and
the UNIV will go on.
Representatives of the coal in
dustry last night were still ponder
ing the implications of the hap
penings In the Speakers office.
Many OF them expressed belief the
back-to-work movement among the
miners would start tomorrow, but
they wondered what the cost would
be to the industry.
Immediate effect of the develop
ments was boost in the stock OF
Mr. Martin as the possible nominee
of the Republican Party for Pres
ident.
He looked good in making more
progress in 13 minutes toward set
tling the strike than the Truman
administration has been able to
make in four weeks. In accomplish
ing it, he was given big assist"
by Mr.. Lewis, who until yesterday
not only had refused to suggest
name for neutral" welfare fund
trustee, but had failed to act on
numerous suggestions of the oper-
ators.
Mr.. Lewis has been a Republican
most of his life and Is known to
hold a decided dislike for the Tru-
man administration. 1t was the
President who pushed court con-
tempt charges against Mr.. Lewis
and the UNIV 18 months ago which
led to the payment of $4,000 in
fines. The case then was similar
to the one to be heard tomorrow.
Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Lewis both
predicted after the appointment Of
Senator Bridges that within 48 hours
after today's trustees meeting agree
ment on the pension dispute could
be worked out.
Operators Cautious.
Spokesman for the coal operators
were not so sure. Mr.. Ven Horn,
when asked If he anticipated any
difficulty in reaching an understand
ing on the pension issue, said: I'VE
will have to take that up when We
get to it."
Mr.. Lewis told reporters he
thought the dispute could be settled
quickly and after that is done II
think it is a reasonable assumption
the men will return to work"
There was no immediate word
from the coal fields as to reaction
of the workers to the developments
here.
Operators were surprised by the
announcement from Mr. Martins
Office They were meeting with Lewis