MINERS TO MOURN DEAD COMRADES

Chronicle (Levin), 31 March 1947, Page 7

MINERS TO MOURN DEAD COMRADES

lleeeived Sunday, 8.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 29. Mr. John L. Lewis, president of the Ujuted Mine Workers', , Uuion, hao ealled a work stoppage throughout the sof t eoal industry froni April 1 to April 6 to mourn for miners killed in the Centralia disaster. Mr. Lewis, lin a communication to the 400,000 members of the union, said it was, a saered coineidenee that the greater part of the mourning period would be during Easter. He added: "Forced to worh by an injunction seeured by the Secretary of Interior, Mr. Julius Krug, ano his fellow conspirators, the ' safety oi these men was negleeted to a poini where they died like trajjped animals. There is public sorrow at the moment but we know from harsh experienec that it is only a momeutary feeling oi pity. We ehallenge this criminal, caiioused attitude. This killing musl Stop. This debauehed administration oi mine safety must stop. The American people must be aroused to thp casuaities of the eoal industry. 'J Mr. Lewis told the miners that the union contract provided for memoriai periods. At a subsequent interview Mr. Ixcvvis said he received a lctter from Mr. R. R. Savers, former director of the Bureau of Mines, deelaring that the bureau, since July 29, earfied out 3723 mine inspections which diselosed an average of 27 violations of -the safety regulations per mine ihspected. Mr. Lewis said: "Mr. Krug never onee closed an unsafe niihe or removed its manager or made any effeetive attempt to liave the regulations complied with. The bodies of all but oue of the 111 miners kiiicd in the Centralia disaster, have been found.