Evening star., 1950-02-13
Miners Stay Off Job;
Officials Call Action
Contempt in Theory
Lewis Apparently
Has Complied, but
Men Ignore Order
By james Y. Newton

Inc Nations soft coal miners
stayed off the job today, and
Federal officials said the United
Mine Workers Union theoretical
ly' already is in contempt of a
Federal court back -to-work order.
Reports from mining areas
showed that none of the 10000
striking miners was needing John
L. Lewis instructions to obey a
District Court order and end their
ight-day-old strike. Sentiment
among the miners was mo con-
tract. no work"
Despite the fact that the UNIV
may already be in contempt of
court, the Government planned
no breakdown at least until mid
week. If the strike continues
that long, contempt action may
be taken against the union. Off
clalS said that Mr.. Lewis, by his
instructions to union leaders, ap-
peared to have complied, at least
lnitially, to the court order which
was directed against the UNIV as
well.
Apparently the only UNIV men,
bers on the job today were the
10000 anthracite, or hard coal,
miners in Pennsylvania and an
estimated 10000 soft coal miners
whose employers have signed new
contracts with Mr.. Lewis. None
of the big mine operators are in
that category.
Injunction Won't Mine Coal
In the rich soft coal regions
of Pennsylvania and West Vir-
ginia, in the Midwest and through
out Southern coal fields, the situ-
alton was the same-the mines
idle. The position of the workers
was summed up by Western
Pennsylvania miner, who said:
The injunction won't mine
coal and we know it. That Taft
Hartley business is foolish. No
contract, no work"
He referred to the To-day strike
restraining order issued Saturday
by Judge Richmond B. Keech at
the request of President Truman
through the Justice Department.
The action was taken under the
national emergency section Of
the Taft-Hartley Act. Judge
Keech also set for hearing next
Monday the Governments request
that the order be extended to a
full 80-day injunction under the
labor act.
Action May Be Delayed.
Although Judge Keech's order
to Mr.. Lewis and the UNIV to end
the strike took effect Immediately,
Federal attorneys indicated there
would be no immediate crack
down because of continuance of
the strike. They pointed out that
many coal areas are remote and
communications are slow. MANY
telegraph agencies are closed on
Sunday.
But the Government cannot af-
ford to let the strike continue
nuch longer. The coal shortage
over the country runs from
serious" to "precarious." Some
steel companies have cut back.
others will be forced to close un-
less they get more coal soon.
have reduced coal
burning passenger service so per
cent and freight service 25 per
,ent.
Some large cities have started
'atloning coal. New York began a
Statewide voluntary system of
pooling dwindling supplies. Sew
'ral communities in Idaho, Ne
7ada and parts of Washington
State are reported out of coal.
Business has slumped badly in all
areas.
Mr.. Lewis quickly complied
With the Keech order, telegraph
ng UNIV district presidents to
take every appropriate action"
20 get the miners back to work.
But half-dozen district leaders
Immediately expressed doubt that
hey could end the strike.
Despite Mr.. Lewis back-to-
work order, a leading operator
Indicated he believed continuance
If the strike was planned. Lau-
'ence Tierney of Bluefleld, w. Va,
tSee COAL. Page A-3.)