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No, no. He was Secretary of the Interior.
He had not assumed this other war job then, Fuel Administrator?
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.”
You did not tell him you had talked to Lewis?
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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