Evening star., 1950-02-26
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(Continued From First Page)
Friday after suffering q heart
alta ok.
stakes Are High in Gamble.
Mr.. Lewis absence complicated
efforts of the Government media
tors to win agreement on a coal
industry work contract.
The stakes are high in the coal
crisis gamble. Mr.. Lewis is put
ting the $15.000.O00 treasury of
the UNIV on the line.
In the event the UNIV is found
guilty Of contempt, there is no
limit, beyond the best of reason
ableness, on the amount Judge
Keech may assess against the
union. a. $50
Might Favor Seizure.
There was a report, unconf1rmed
by union sources, that Mr.. Lewis
was willing to allow the court to
take all of the resources of the
UNIV in order to force Govern
ment seizure Of the mines. II that
is true, MIR. Lewis would be play
ing for either one of two situa-
tionS.
/. That the seizure of the mines
would provide for negotiation by
the Government with the union
for new contract terms.
2. That the seizure would be
complete with the mines operated
for the profit of the Federal
treasury. Such an arrangement
would tend TO pressure the high
profit companies into a quick con-
tract agreement with the union.
In either case, Mr.. Lewis would
be gambling that he could get
more favorable contract with
higher wages and welfare fund
than he could make in normal ne
gotiations with the private mine
owners.
Some Chance of Agreement.
There is some chance the union
and operators may reach accord
on a new contract before the end
of the contempt trial.
But nothing short of agreement
seemed likely to end the strike.
The miners chant was the same:
mo contract. no work And
the men made it clear that moth
ing Judge Keech might do in
penalizing the union for failing to
heed the strike restrainer would
force them to change the de-
termination to stay out until they
get new contract.
Federal officials made 1t clear
that if contempt penalties fail
to restore coal production the Gov
ernment will have no alternative
other than to take over the mines.
in that event the President prob
ably would ask Congress for
special seizure powers. He has
steadfastly refused to take that
step so far.
The UNIV and operator repre-
sentatives held two contract ne
gotiating sessions yesterday. Fed
eral Mediation Chief Cyrus S.
Ching and David l.. Cole, chair
man Of the Presidents coal dis
pute board of inquiry, sat in on
the conferences for several hours.
Cole Holds Out Hope.
AS to the possibility that the
whole coal controversy may be
resolved by contract agreement.
Mr.. Cole told reporters: Il think
it is fair for us to say that we are
hopeful tonight"
Mr.. Cole added that the nego-
tiators talked dollars and cents
all day." and 1--WE feel a little bit
encouraged" He refused to say
how close togther the disputants
were on matters of wages and
welfare fund payments. But Mr..
Ching added "The gulf (between
the parties) is still there"
The mild optimism of Mr.. Cole
over chances of an agreement was
not reflected by the operators.
One source said the mine owners
would be unwilling to go beyond
IS cents day per miner for both
wage and welfare fund payment
increase. And the UNIV. the
source said, so far has held to
its demands estimated to cost
about 50 a day.
Mr.. Lewis has signed contracts