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Oh yes, he said “for operating the mines.” Lewis never proposed that the Government take the profit, you see.

“Well,” I said, “the Government would be entitled to the costs, pay for what it cost the Government.”

“Oh yes--the Government costs in operating these mines should be fully accounted for.”

Those costs would not be inconsiderable. That's the only bite he would have on the discontinuance of the strike--meaning, the operators caving in to get rid of those Government costs.

Yes--to get rid of the Government costs and to get rid of the presence of the Government agents. There weren't too many of them, in practice, around, but still they had to ask the Government whether they could do this or do that, and their sales were all exposed. Any agreements they might have between themselves, you know, would all be exposed to an administrator's eye. It wasn't too pleasant to have Government operators around.

Well, Lewis thought it all over a bit, and he asked me a few more questions--very penetrating questions, but very direct. Then he said, “Now, Madame Secretary, I trust you to keep my confidence as I am keeping yours. I believe I could persuade the Executive Committee to agree to this.”

I laughed a bit, and I said, “Well, of course I know it