Labor unions

John L. Lewis as he read to reporters his letter to members of the United Mine Workers ordering them to return to work. Mr. Lewis told the newsmen he took this action on his own authority to give the United States Supreme Court time to deliberate on appeals from contempt convictions "free from public pressure superinduced by the hysteria and frenzy of an economic crisis." From: Beth Gore

United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis as he leaves court after hearing the verdict of a personal fine of $10,000 and a $3,500,000 fine for the United Mine Workers. From: Beth Gore

United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis is shown leaving the Miners' headquarters, silent as to whether he would recall his midnight contract "termination" or defy a federal court order and risk jail. From: Beth Gore

John L. Lewis as he appeared at court, grim and sullen and ready to fight the court charge. From: Beth Gore

Armistice Day did not mean a thing towards peace in the coal contract negotiations. United Mine Worker's leader John L. Lewis joined conferences at the Interior Department. Photo shows Mr. Lewis leaving the morning session. From: Beth Gore

United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis after appearing before the House Labor Committee. Shown at left is Rep. Robert Ramspeck, Georgia. Mr. Lewis had denounced President Truman's bill to set up fact-finding boards in major labor disputes as "an evil, foul-smelling mess", which he didn't think could be "poured down the throats of the American people". He said that this bill would be the first drastic thrust of the knife of absolutism into the heart of a free America and an attempt to place labor in legislative irons." From: Beth Gore.

Photo of George M. Humphrey, Chairman of the Pittsburg Consolidation Coal Company, one of the Nation's largest coal operators. He indicated the recent miners wage increase conforms to the 15% hourly wage raise pattern. Humphrey told Congress that there is "nothing wildly inflationary or grossly unreasonable" in the $1.20 a day wage boost granted John L. Lewis' United Mine Workers. From: Beth Gore.

American Federation of Labor President William F. Green on a park bench in front of AFL headquarters. From: Beth Gore

President Harry S. Truman (lower left, on rostrum) addresses a labor rally at the Milwaukee Arena. Donor: Hennepin County Historical Society.

President Harry S. Truman in the opening speech of the 1952 presidential campaign at the Milwaukee Arena during an address to labor. Donor: Hennepin County Historical Society.