Evening star., 1948-04-01
Truman Calls In
His Top Advisers
On Coal Strike
Clark, SehweIIenboeh,
Krug and Ching to
Discuss Next Move

Top advisers were summoned
to a conference with President
Truman on the coal strike today
amid indications that officials
fear the Government lacks au-
thority to deal with John L.
Lewis and the 1S-day Nation
wide work stoppage.
Mr.. Truman summoned for a 5
pm. meeting Attorney General
Clark, Secretary of Labor Schwel-
lenbach. Secretary of the Interior
Krug and Cyrus Ching. chief Of the
Federal Mediation and Cancellation
Service.
The conference was called after
some of his advisers advised the
President to step up action on the
strike.
The new Federal Court showdown
Will Eu1 bNWlS was lllCdIi@
while, and new efforts we're started
to settle through negotiation the
ong-standing pension dispute be-
tween the United Mine Workers and
the mine operators.
Work Resumption Paramount.
1t was indicated that top-level
parleys were going on aimed at get
ting the mine workers back to work.
John r. Steelman, assistant to the
President, repeatedly was contracting
high industry and union officials in
an effort to bring the two sides to-
gether.
President Truman earlier had
postponed request to District
Court for an injunction against Mr..
Lewis and the strike until he re-
turns from his trip to Williams
burg, Va, Saturday.
Federal officials frankly admitted,
however, that their case for an
injunction was weak and were even
more fearful that such court order
would be ignored by the mine work.
ers if they were able to obtain It.
The Justice Department was
bending every effort to build up the
case before Mr.. Truman returned
from his trip. FBI agents were
busily seeking evidence, both hers
and In the coal fields. designed to
show that Mr.. Lewis and his union
are responsible for the walkout Of
the 100000 miners.
Despite doubts Of Its efficacy IL
was clear that the injunction method
of ending the strike would be tried
If Mr.. Steelman is unsuccessful In
negotiating a settlement.
May Go to Congress.
| Oficials said they were prepared
to appeal to Congress for additional
authority If the Injunction failed
to end the strike.
Under discussion was a possible
request for the re-enactment of
Government authority to seize and
operate the struck coal mines.
Mr.. Truman also postponed, at
least until he returns to Washington
from his Williamsburg trip, the re-
lease of report on the coal industry
pension dispute, which was sub
mitted to him yesterday by a board
of inquiry. The board was appointed
to investigate the difficulties as part
of the Taft-Hartley Act procedure
for dealing with national emerg-
encies"
1t was understood that the report
assessed Mr.. Lewis and the union
with most of the responsibility for
the mine walkout.
The fact-f1nders found that this
/ industry dispute does not pertain to
| the current union-operator contract.
but is one among the trustees Of
| the UNIV Welfare and Retirement
Fund.
They said the strike took place
before virtually any negotiations to
settle the dispute had been held be-
tween Mr. Lewis and the operators.
Mine Owners Criticized.
The mine owners also we're criti-
cized in the boards report for fall
ing to do all they could to resolve
the controversy over Mr. Lewis de-
mand for a s100 monthly pension
for his men.
The board, headed by Federal
Judge Sherman Minton, concluded
that the present strike was entirely
unnecessary, and that it could be
resolved If a third trustee for the
welfare fund were selected and ne
gotiations held between Mr. Lewis
and Ezra Van Horn, operators trus-
tee.
In the matter Of cracking down
on Mr.. Lewis and the union through
court injunction. officials were con-
fronted with the problem Of whom
to enjoin.
Lewis Disclaims Blame.
Mr.. Lewis has steadtastly main
tanned that the miners walked out,
merely asserting their right as in
dividuals to quit work as we'll as
using clause of their contract
which states they will work only
when "able and willing
He has said that he and the
union have nothing TO do with the
work stoppage.
| II there is a breakdown on Mr..
Lewis and the union, the Govern
ment fears the miners would dis
obey any back-to-work order issued
by the court. In such case, the
situation could become grave, lead
ing to what would amount TO an
insurrection against the Govern
ment and It's authorities.