Later the negotiators adjourned to separate groups for private conferences.
Meanwhile, observers noted that capital and labour, through the coal strike, have mancuvred President Roosevelt into a difficult position. They said neither Mr. John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers of America, nor the mine operators "can afford to back down now."
Consequently, mediation by the White House is regarded virtually impossible.
However, an emergency such as appears to- be approaching because of the threatened coal shortage for industry, probably would force the President to bring heavy pressure to bear on the disputants to accept arbitration.
The loser in any such arbitration, it was pointed out, would inevitably blame the Government for "favourite ism" to the other side and, consequently, would result in political disadvantage to Mr. Roosevelt—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.