Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

goguery, and you know it, to sug-
gest that any workers in this coun-
try are not getting enough to eat.
When you call me a demagogue
before I can reply, hurl it back in
your face, sir" Mr.. Lewis retorted.
Mr. Lewis had insisted some coal
miners are hungry because they
suffer from diet deficiencies and
suggested Senator Ball was less
than a proper representative of the
people" in the suggestion he has
made
Truman Ends Exchange.
Chairman Truman ended the ex-
change by calling on both to leave
out personalities. telling Mr. Lewis,
II don't like that remark to a men,
Der of the committee and I'm stop
ping it right now
Mr.. Lewis remarked that witnesses
should be protected Mr.. Tru-
man replied that they would be, and
that members should frame their
questions carefully.
Il shall follow the leadership of
the committee on matters of cour-
tesv." MI. Lewis said.
The outspoken mine leader took
the stand. after John Frey, head of
the AFL's Metal Trades Depart
ment, had called for suspension of
the Wagner Labor Relations Act for
the duration of the war, charging
the hoard that administers that law
with fostering "raiding" efforts be-
tween rival unions.
AS movie cameras clicked. Mr.
Lewis had ready answer. for every
committee question as to how to ex-
pedite production and curb the
spiraling of prices and wages.
When Senator Brewster. Repub-
lican. of Maine asked him if he was
"stalling" before answering a ques-
ton, MI Lewis declared:
Il wasn't stslling with you. sir.
but foolishly believed YOU wanted
an answer to your question"
Rewards to Industry Charged.
In my opinion he told Senator
Truman we will be unable to re-
strain imitation to the degree we
would like as long as the Govern
ment has two policies in regard to
inf1a ton
On the one hand the Govern
ment superinduces inha ton by ex-
cessive rewards to industry for pro-
ducing essential commodities.
On the other hand, Government
seeks TO fight imitation by saving to
$4,000 900 workers: We cannot do
for you what we are doing for in
dustry because that would cause in
hatlon. You can't expect a pay in
crease above certain percentage
and there is the implica ton that NE
worker is unpa triotic if he asks for
the same treatment industry has
received
Senator Brewster reminded him
that, through excess profits taxa
ton and the renegotiation of con-
tracts. we still hope the rich will
not get richer during this war.
We are all hoping" Mr.. Lewis
broke in. but hope deferred maketh
the heart sick"
Cost-Pius to be Disapproved.
When Mr. Lewis suggested the
committee has not brought about
reneg otia ton of cost plus contracts.
Senator Brewster said that form of
contract will be disapproved in a
report soon to be issued by the COM
mittee. and Senator Truman added
that any form of cost plus contract
is an evil thing"
Mr.. Lewis replied that the fact
that reregotiation of contracts has
been necessary is proof some one in
Government was at fault originally.
If We had waited to work out
reasonable contract prices Hitler
would have been on our shores"
Senator Brewster replied.
At the outset, Senator Truman
had asked Mr. Lewis to suggest
remedies for absenteeism. to which
the mine leader replied it runs to
the question of sutficiency of wages.
adequate diet. proper housing and
medical service. He said the fact
that 100000 women are going into
war industries, with its accompany
ing strains, is bound to increase the
total percentage of absenteeism.
Congress Mentioned.
Suggesting that abSenteeiSm oc-
ours in all walks of life. Mr.. Lewis
drew ripple of laughter when he
said he understood it also occurs in
Congress.
He said he noted that some men,