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OO ZS. Grand Jury To Sift : F.B.I. Investigation Into FT ILLIKOIS STATE REGISTER ‘SPRINGFIELD FIELD DIVIBION AUGUST 8, 1943 RA 117 | | U.S. GRANDJURY| TO PROBE DEAL Continued from Page 1. federal grand jury in May federal grand jury in May indicted |two baking companies, two of their |officials, and two officers of the Bakery & Confectionery Workers International union {AF.L.) on charges of conspiring to injure em- ployes of the companies in the ex- ercise of rights guaranteed them jJunder the fair labor standards act. In the Brooklyn case It was charged that the defendants con- ‘spired to threaten with discharge ‘and otherwise Intimidate employes unless they signed waivers of claims for unpaid minimum wages, ‘unpaid overtime and Haquidated damages, That indictment charged ,{that as part of the conspiracy the ‘l union officials refused to accept partial payment of arrearages in union dues from those who re- fused to sign such waivers and threatened to certify them az de- linquent so the companies could discharge them under closed con- tracts. It has been reported that the presence of F.B.I. agents in Spring- field was the caudbe for Lewis’ re- cent automobile trip to that min- ing area. The trip is under O.P.A. investigation to determine whether he violated the gasollne rationing regulations Doyle Bays “No Wert" | U. S. District Attorney Howard 'L. Doyle sald today he “knew noth- ‘ing whatsoever” about the report- ed forthcoming grand jury inves i ‘tigation of the Jobn L. Lewls- , Mine B Cobl Co. loan deal. 1 L | “I have recelved no instructions ™, any kind from Washington on ; “he said, adding, how- ed to meet here within manth seonres Rae —— | | | | Ee Ee Brg rN, U. M. W. - Mine B LCC) Washington, Sept. n, Sept. 2. (UP) -~ | ox grand jury will be aa soon‘to determine whethgt; Presl- dent John L’ ft th United Mine Workers andAMine B Coal Co., § J., Violated the civil rights statute i a $350,000! transaction, it was learned today. Reliable sources said an Inquiry by the federal bureau of investiga- tion was about completed, and that the matter would be placed before a federal) grand jury here or at Springfield. Justice department officials de-, clined to comment. ‘ It would be up to the grand fury fo determine whether the transac- on warrants an indictment for conspiracy to violate the right of; Mine B employer to bargalt ale lectively—a right guaranteed them by the Wagner act. Conviction on™ charges of interfering with an in- dividmal’s rights carries maximum ; penalties of five years imprison- | ment and $10, 000 fine. ¥ 1. Lewis, it See celt teen? = Wes ful, ened or; made a gift of about $350,000 to Mine B Coai Co., in 1938, allegedly to cover losses of the company in & lockout of its ployes who were gressive Mine The aren. members of th Workers (A F ie tt Se ant gyre a= ment ls expected to allege that the purpose was to break the per , which pesulted from e with the U.N.W. in 1932, and mit Lewts to regain cSntrol over the miners. The internal revenue bureau first discovered evidence of the transaction during an investigation Into a possible Income tax case. However, a study reportedly re- sulted In 2 declaion that no viola- | tion of the tax laws waz involved. | As far as ls known, this is only the second time that the civil rights statute has been applied to cover an alleged violation of the 4 Reaoliun WW ¥ oe See Te an Wag omer act. rem y | Mr. Reade . wd Ur ne ab Se Hea meet a