MINERS’ LEADER & UNION GUILTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22196, 5 December 1946, Page 6

MINERS’ LEADER & UNION GUILTY

PROTEST AGAINST INJUNCTION

“MINERS DEPRIVED OF FREE RIGHTS”

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

WASHINGTON, December 3,

Judge Goldsborough found John L. Lewis, president, and the United Mine Workers’ Association guilty of contempt of court. Sentence will be pronounced to-morrow. The defence rested without giving evidence. Judge Goldsborough ordered 30 minutes’ recess and, when the court resumed, he announced the verdict. Lewis asked and was granted leave to make a statement. Lewis said the history of labour injunctions before 1932 was a sordid one which was recognised when Congress passed the Clayton Anti-Trust Act and Norris—La Guardia Act prohibiting the issue of injunctions against strikers. Lewis, mentioning “the deadly and brutal 54-hour-week in the American coal mines,” said the U.M.W.A. had been impelled to announce the termination of its contract with the Government. Thereafter, the Government, in violation of the Norris—La Guardia Act, had asked for a restraining order which was granted “without notice and without hearing.”

“Coercive Restraining Order”

Lewis denounced this “coercive and all-embracing restraining order.” Speaking as president of the U.M.W.A. and vice-president of the American Federation of Labour with 8.000.000 members, Lewis protested against “this ugly recrudescence pi government by injunction.”

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Continuing, Lewis said: “Your injunction, sir, deprives the miners of thenconstitutional rights of freedom of speech, freedofa of the press, freedom of assembly and freedom from involuntary servitude. The miners and I stand upon these constitutional rights as American citizens. The miners are law-abiding God-fearing citizens and only asserted their rights as citizens.” Judge Goldsborough, in deferring sentence until to-morrow, said that while it was somewhat unusual but not

improper, the court would like the f views of counsel for both sides as to what the sentences should be. Pending sentence. Judge Goldsborough directed that Lewis go free of bail in the custody of his counsel. The American Federation of Labour's counsel, Mr. Joseph Padway, protested indignantly that the “court did not need to add ‘in the custody of his counsel.’ ” A cold snap, with temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below freezing point in the northern half of the nation accen-

On learning of Lewis’ conviction, most miners, it is reported, are determined to stand by him.

tuated tlie effects of the coal strike now in the twelfth day. New York, where the mercury fell to ladeg. this morning, is facing increased emergency measures to conserve fuel.

Mr. Edward R. Burke resigned from his position as president of tne Southern Coal Producers’ Association, worth 35,000 dollars yearly, after strong criticism by a large section of the association's board of directors because he advocated a fortnight’s truce with the United Mine Workers’ Association to enable direct negotiations with Lewis to end the walk-out. The association issued a statement: “When mining operations are resumed the question or orderly and collective bargaining will become appropriate. Then we shall make every effort to reach a proper working agreement with the unions.” . . To conserve fuel in the coal crisis, |the American Railroads Association announced an embargo on the carriage of all freight for overseas export. The railway spokesman described the embargo as the most drastic measure yet taken to conserve coal. The Postal Department announced an embargo on international parcel post and also restricted the size and weight of all domestic packages effective from December 6.