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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Part:         Session:         Page of 912

Perkins:

No, no. He was Secretary of the Interior.

Interviewer:

He had not assumed this other war job then, Fuel Administrator?

Perkins:

I don't even remember the other war job. Well, I think that came after this.

So then I telephone to Ickes. I had to be a little cautious with him. I swore him to secrecy, and said to him, “I am making an experimental approach to you on this matter. I have no authorization from anybody. I have a hope--a possible hope. Now, this is what I have in mind--that the Government will make a seizure, a legal seizure, of the mines-- take possession of them legally.”

“But you've always said,” he said, “that the soldiers couldn't dig coal, and I agree with you.”

“That's what I know. But it occurs to me that if the Government handles it right and really operates them-- if the Government really operates the mines--that perhaps the United Mine Workers could be persuaded to go back and work for the Government.”

Interviewer:

You did not tell him you had talked to Lewis?

Perkins:

Oh no, not yet! You know you don't do that--oh, no. Every man has his own little line, you know. You must respect





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