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‘Cease? begs 1 cad . cae - y — * “> = 6 mw Until October 1946 there was no dispute as to the duration of the contract--that is, it was to continue so long as the Government remained in possession of the mines, On Cetober 22st the defendants wrote to the Secretary of the Interior calling for a conference on November lst, to com mence negotiations regarding wages and other terms and comditions of emloy~ ment, In that letter they contended that the Krug-Lewis Agreement had ine corporated by reference section 15 of a prior agreement--—the National hat under section 15 reement of April 1, 1945.—and of the prior agreement the miners could give notice in writing of a desire to begin negotiations, ‘and that they could terminate their contract if they So desired after 20 days of negotiation. This provision of the old agree= ment was the very provision which had been used by the defendants in bringing about the work stoppage of April 19246, The position of the Government was that section 15 of the old agrees ment was not incorporated in the Krug~Lewis Agreement, and that under the War Labor Disputes Act the defendants were without power to interfere by strike or work stoppage with the Government's operation of the mines. Secretary Krug 60 advised the defendants. He advised them that the Krug- Lewis Agreement was in full force and effect and that it was by its terms to continue for the full period of Government possession and operation. He - agreed to talk over any disagreements under the contract--and to discuss any grievances—-advising the defendants that they should apply as provided by law to the National Wage Stabilization Board if they wished to obtain any changes et in the terms and conditions of employment. On November lst negotiations began-—without prejudice to the conten- tions of either party as to section 15. The defendants! proposals for changes