Evening star., 1947-04-03
Lewis
Continued From First Page.)


of the more than 200 children OF
the victims"
More Authority for Inspectors.
His third proposal was that Con-
gress pass a law giving Federal Blu
reau Of Mines inspectors the au-
thority to close down any mines
found in violation of safety regula-
tions. Under present law the in
spectors have the right only to rec
ommend correction of violations
they ind.
Mr.. Lewis spoke of the action OF
the Supreme Court in ordering the
United Mine Workers to pay a fine
of 100000 and Mr.. Lewis a $4,000
fine for violation of an injunction
the Government obtained in an
effort to head off last falls coal
strike. Then he pointed out that
the court divided, S to 4, in its
opinion that so high penalty
should be levied, and said that cast
sufficient reasonable doubt" on the
finding to permit Congress to remit
the money for the care of de-
pendents of mine disaster victims
The disaster at Straight Greek,
KY. took place in late December,
1945.
Earlier, in his testimony, Mr.
Lewis had hinted that his 100000
mine workers might not return to
work on conclusion Sunday mid
night of the six-day memorial period
they are observing In honor of the
Centralia dead.
He also admitted under question
ing that the mines have been safer
since the Government took them
over last May than they were before
under private operation.
Critical Of Krug's Trips.
Mr.. Lewis recalled Secretary
Krug's Official explanation of the
mine safety situation and partic-
ularly the part where the Secretary
said that mine fatalities under his
operation had been reduced from 95
to IS a month. The UNIV chief ad-
mitted that mine deaths had been
reduced since the time the mines
were under control "of that damn
able Ickes dormer Secretary OF
INTERIOR"
Then he added scornfully that Mr.
Krug had reduced mine deaths from
IS to IS a month "and then rested
on bis laurels."
At one point. Mr.. Lewis called Mr.
Krug "this modern Hercules with
the No. IL shoe and the size hat
"You may think he Is worthy OF
the trust imposed In him. I think
he Is dishonorable. A friend of the
coal operators. A scheming. de-
signing politician, faithless to his
trust
Mr.. Lewis criticized Mr.. Krug fol
going on trips about the worlc
while failing "to correct condition,
In the mines that caused men to die.
He goes to Japan in Govern.
ment bomber at S120 an hour. Ht
goes to Palm Springs, Calf. and tt
Mayfiower HoteD fat and to Ses
Island, Ca, to rest from his labors.
$1,000 Violations Uncorrected.
He charged that Mr.. Krug's state.
ment that 5000 mine safety viola.
tions had been corrected in 1916 left
some $4,000 violations uncorrected
$50 he Is now resting-although
he showed q magnificent spllrt to-
day in shutting down 51S mines,
Mr.. Lewis continued.
IF he Is really earnest in his
efforts, which I don't believe, we
can assist Mr.. Krug in finding other
unsafe mines to work on" he said
But he prefers to let the men die
I suggest that he might stay away
q little longer from Sea Island and
Palm Springs and correct more OF
these violations.
OF the money paid for the con-
tempt fines, Mr.. Lewis said:
"The United Mine Workers are
willing never to see it again. Some
men died while loading coal In cars
TO pay that money. Surely the
American people would applaud