MINERS HEAVILY FINED

Chronicle (Levin), 6 December 1946, Page 5

MINERS HEAVILY FINED

Press Assn.

JtsSge Thought Lewis Should ie Uaoled CONTEMPT OF COURT ACTION

By Telegrayh

-Coyyright'

WAHH1 N'CJTON, Dec. 4. ; The Federal Cfmrt has fined1 Mr. John -L. Lewis 10,000 dollarth smd the Uiiited'Mine Workers oi' Ameriea 3,500,000 dollars i'or coiiy tenipt "of 'Court. Ai'ter -a senes of confereuces in Dhambers Judge :Cihldsborougli, vvith both counsel, delayed the sentences. The erow'ds wai'ted both in and outside the Courtroom. . The Court, which met this moTiiiirg, adjourned at noon until 3 p.m., and upo'n the resumption the (■lovemment Attorney (Mr. Somiett) asked the Gourt to fine the Lnited Mine Workers of Ameriea 3,500,000 dollars for eontempt. Mr. iSonnett said Mr.-. Lewis should he suhjected to "substantial punishment," but ."at this time a gaol sentenee can aecomplish nothing." Judge Goldsborough asked Mr. Bonnett whether the Governmerit desired a permaneiit injtinction against Mr. Lewis and the Uuited Mine Workers of Ameriea. Mr. iSonnett replied that he thought a temporai'y injunction would suilice. Judge Goldsborough said he wonder: ed that in view of the fact that "this eontempt may coutinue" whether he could agree that the hue should be 250,900 "dollars per day from liiidnight on Noveiuber 20. The American Federation of Laliour counsel (Alr. J. Padway), coininentiiig on the Governinent recoiiiinendation. said there was no evidence showing danuig? amounting to 3,500,000 dollars. He added that Ihe penalties cannot be founded 011 the iniagination. Mr. Padway derlaml tliat the propbsed line would be "cruel aiul iuliunuui, ' ' and poinfed out there was 110 similar case 011 record except oue wliich was reversed. M r. Padway argued tliat tlie Governnient 's case did not sustain a civil eontempt verdict, and tlie Court T crinri'nal conienipt tinding violated the Constitution. Before the sentence was imposed Mr. Padway tohi the Court that tlie defence had been trying to ascertaui whether individual niiners were heltl in eontempt, but it had not received an answer. He added tliat the line ot 3,500,000 dollars was nothing more tlian i nipositioii against individual miners. " lt is liis uues, liis eents aiu liis dollars tliat will have to salisfy such a judgmeiit as tliat." It was the Goveriuueut 's iiitention to put the Uuited Mine Workers of Ameriea out of business, and to destroy the unioii by a line oi' such nuignitude. It might as well know now that the purpo^ would not be accomplislied. Thejininen would reiiiain as stroug as ever. Tlie Governiuent 's proposed line was "tuijust, iinpropel', outrageous. " The union counsel (Mr. W. Hopkinsj said tlie Governinent 's roconinienda lions "will live in int'aniy. " Tlie Governinent was seeking to repress inilliom oi inoii. "tSlianie upon the Goveriinienl in trying to perpelrate such an out ragc, " he added. "1 denounce tlu Governiiieiit s action witli all niy heafi and soul." Mr. Hopkius said the proposed fiiu uiade him t'eel that. lie should chullengt physically tlie Governiiieiit represe'nta lives Who suggested it. "The slianu upon yuu is a double shame. " AI r. Lewis arose and they shooN hands. lle said: "Bir, 1 associate iuy self with ev'ery word you have uttercd, I do not desire any niercy from tlu Court. ' ' .Mr. Lewis told tlie Court whai property he possessed. lie said that apart t'rom it he had only enough money ti pay expenses. "As'far as L am con ecrncd do not let that deter you fro'ii tining m e any ainouut. " Al r. Lewis, raisiug his voice, accusei: the GoviMdiniep't coaiis'el df lying1 to tlu Court about liik expense account. Judge Goldsborough warued him not again to coiniiiit contonipt. Alr. Lewis: l have been adjudged oi conienipt. The Judge replied: Yes, but theri are ofher kinds of eontempt. Judge Goldsboi'ouglx sai ' the case represented an unprecedented situation, "This is not an attack by a low latvbreaker. It is an eyil and monstrotu thing this coal strike; one of the most serious threats ever experienced in this country/ It means hunger, cold and destitution. It is a threat to Demo- ) cratic Government itself . ' ' 0 The Judge added that no one wanted to see a u'nion dealt a mortal hlow noi anything done Which. wotiid turn back labour conditions, "hut, if it becomes a question of the destruction of this union or the country "s preservation, the country is -going to he preserved." At Alr. Bonnett's reqpest tlie Couri granted an injunction against Alr Lewis and tlie Cnited Aline Worken of Ameriea to replace the rest rainiiy order. Alr. Bonnett indicated that f'u'r tlier penalties would lie asked for if tlu coal stoppage coiltiuued. The defence flled a notice of appea aiul moved tliat Ihe judgmeiit be sus pended. Arr. Sonne-tt did not objeet provided the defence posted a bond. f Tlie Court gave the defence until 1 p.m. tomorrow to post tlie band. Judge Goldsborough said he personally believed that Mr. LeWis should he iihprisoned, hut he felt bottnd to follov the Government 's contrary view be cause in this situation the Government spoke fdr the people. , , , In regard to the Court decision t give the defence until 3 p.m. tomorrov to post tlie bond, the Judge said tlia if Mr. Iie'wis had been sentenced to ini prisonnieiit lie would not have allowet a boiul. Alr. Lewis 's resentnient at the refer ence by the Attorney-General (Alr. Hon nett) to his expense account was pro voked by Alr. ISonnett liaving said tha Alr. Lewis had determined the amoifn of it him self. Alr. Lewis received ai annual salary of 25,000 dollars, plus ai undiselosed expense allowance.