Strikes and lockouts

Presidential Press Secretary Charles G. Ross(right), tells reporters at the White House February 6, 1950, that President Truman has invoked the Taft-Hartley law in an effort to restore coal production. The President appointed a board of inquiry to look into issues; at dispute the order covering only the soft coal industry. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 metal album.

Commerce Secretary Charles Sawyer signs orders directing the 74 steel companies that they are in the possession of the United States Government. President Truman had earlier seized the steel mills to prevent a strike set for midnight.

Presidential Assistant John R. Steelman talking to newsmen as he leaves a meeting at the Statler Hotel held with leaders of the striking railroad unions in an effort to settle the wage dispute. From: Beth Gore

Presidential Assistant John R. Steelman giving newsmen an account of his meeting with striking railroad leaders in an effort to settle a wage dispute. They are at the Statler Hotel. From: Beth Gore

CIO President Philip Murray as he told a press conference that a nation-wide steel strike "must take place" because U. S. Steel Corporation had rejected President Harry S. Truman's wage settlement. From: Beth Gore.

Federal Judge Sherman Minton, Chairman of the three-man Presidential Board set up to review the coal strike, shown reading a letter from John L. Lewis, United Mine Workers President, in which he refused to appear before the fact-finding board. From: Beth Gore

General Motors Corporation, through it's Counsel, Walter G. Merritt, pictured here, told President Harry S. Truman's fact-finding panel that it will withdraw from the proceedings if the panel considers prices and profits in making a wage recommendation for settlement of the strike against the company. From: Beth Gore.

Photo of John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers, shaking hands with Cyrus S. Ching, Federal Mediation Director, prior to a luncheon where they discussed the pending miner's strike. Government officials had expressed fear that the soft coal strike might weaken the United States' position in the "cold war" against Russia. They are at the Carlton Hotel in Washington, D. C. From: Beth Gore.

Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug in his office during a press conference about the coal strike. From: Beth Gore

President Harry S. Truman addressing a joint session of Congress asking lawmakers to enact legislation authorizing the government to seize the steel industry and run it until the contract dispute is settled. Seated behind him are Vice President Alben Barkley, left, and House Majority Leader John W. McCormack. Donor: Hennepin County Historical Society