As volatile as the explosives they work with, coal miners have a long history of blasting the best-laid plans of mine operators, coal users and U.S. Presidents. For the past month the United Mine Workers, torn by dissension and corruption, have been negotiating with the mine owners to formulate a new labor contract and avoid a strike on Thursday, Sept. 30, when the present pact expires. Though a peaceful settlement seems likely, nobody is discounting a walkout that could threaten the nation's critical need for electric power and jar the Administration's new economic...
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