U.S. MINERS’ LEADER BOWS TO DECISION OF SUPREME COURT

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1947, Page 5

U.S. MINERS’ LEADER BOWS TO DECISION OF SUPREME COURT

WASHINGTON, March 19

John L. Lewis, complying with the Supreme Court mandate, cancelled the contract termination notice. In a letter to the Secretary for the Interior (Mr Krug), Lewis announced that the notice given to Krug on November 15 “is hereby unconditionally withdrawn.” It was this notice of contract termination that started the 17-day coal strike in the autumn.

Lewis sent a copy of his letter to Krug to all members of the United Mineworkers’ Union. He also withdrew his advice given to the coal miners on December 7 that they should continue to work only until March 31.

Lewis pointed out that the KrugLewis agreement is in full force until the final determination of the basic issues arising from the agreement under which the Government controls the coal mines. He added “These actions have been taken in full conformance with the district, court orders as affirmed by the Supreme Court on March 6.”

The basic issues tq which Lewis referred concern the question as to whether he had a legal right to terminate the contract with the Government. This question was not determined by the lower court, and the Supreme Court kkewise left it undecided.

Lewis contended, when he gave notice of termination, that he was following the same procedure as in his last contract • with the coal owners, namely, that he could end the contract after five days’ notice. The Government contended that its contract was for the duration of the Government’s operation of the mines.