Whether the final tally is thumbs down or ratification, the ranks of the United Mine Workers can take credit for blocking the union-busting plans of the coal bosses.

This coal strike has already provided the most dramatic example in thirty years of the power of the industrial working class in this country.

Even federal Judge Aubrey Robinson, Jr.--who heeded Carter’s request for a temporary back-to-work order March 9--was forced to admit that Taft-Hartley doesn’t mine coal.

On March 17, Robinson refused to extend the order, whining that the miners are "not paying attention to what I do anyhow."

The proposed agreement falls far short of the miners’ demands for full restoration of health care, equalized pensions, and the right to strike to enforce safety.

In western Pennsylvania, Fred Uzelac said, "It’s little better than the last one, and I think it’s going to be close. There’s not as much hollering about it as the last one. If we send it back, what will we get? Is it worth two or three more weeks out just to come back with the same stuff?"

In Harlan County, however, local president Mickey Messer argued that "if we accept this we’re selling our union down the river."

Whichever view prevails, the miners have set an inspiring example for all working people.  
 
March 30, 1953
Eisenhower has buried his campaign promises on ending the Korean war deeper than the gold at Fort Knox. To questions on his Korea plans he returns a frigid silence.

The Wall Street Journal of March 28 reports that the Eisenhower Administration "is holding a new series of secret meetings to decide quickly whether or not to make a major drive in Korea late this summer or fall." The big objection to the drive, says the Journal, is "the enormous cost in U.S. casualties." The offensive, even if successful, would not be designed to end the war or make possible the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Korea, but to "show the Reds and Asia our power."

That Eisenhower hasn’t the slightest plans or prospects for ending the Korean war is further confirmed by Gen. Mark Clark, U.S. Commander in the Far East, who on March 20 said flatly there are "no indications"--"none whatsoever"--of an early end to the fighting in Korea.

Instead, Gen. Clark’s visit to Indo-China last week raised the grave threat of more active U.S. participation in the Indo-China war. Clark said that his forces in Korea and the French in Indo-China are fighting "one war."

His mission to Indo-China is of the "highest importance," reported the N.Y. World Telegram, because "Washington rates the French war strategically equal to Korea...the potential U.S. commitment there is as great as the actual one in Korea."  
 
 
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