    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [October 8, 2002]
    [Page 1773]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Attorney General Directing Action on the Labor Disputes
    Affecting Pacific Coast Ports
    October 8, 2002

    Dear Mr. Attorney General:
        On October 7, 2002, by virtue of the authority vested in me by
    section 206 of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (61 Stat. 155;
    29 U.S.C. 176) (the ``Act''), I issued Executive Order 13275. That Order
    created a Board of Inquiry to report on certain labor disputes affecting
    the maritime industry of the United States.
        Today, I received the Board's written report in the matter. A copy
    of the report is attached. In my opinion, this unresolved labor dispute
    has resulted in a lock-out affecting a substantial part of the maritime
    industry of the United States, an industry that is engaged in trade,
    commerce, transportation (including the transportation of military
    supplies), transmission, and communication among the several States and
    with foreign nations. This lock-out, if permitted to continue, will
    imperil the national health and safety.
        Therefore, in order to eliminate this peril and to secure the
    resumption of trade, commerce, transportation, transmission, and
    communication among the several States and with foreign nations, I
    direct you, pursuant to the provisions of section 208 of the Act, to
    petition in the name of the United States in any District Court of the
    United States having jurisdiction of the parties to enjoin the lock-out
    (or its continuance) and for such other relief as may in your judgment
    be appropriate.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter.