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JCS. Grand Jury To Sift == F.B.I. Investigation Into; U.M.W.-Minée B De SPRINGFIELD FIELD DIVIBION ILLIXOIS STATE REGISTER AUGUST 8, 1945 U.S.CRANDJUR TO PROBE DEAL Continued from Page 1. federal grand jury in May indicted two baking companies, two of their lofficials, 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 {under the fair lebor standards act. . In the Erookiyn 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 liquidated damages. That indictment charged that as part of the conspiracy the union officials refused to accept partial payment of arrearages in union dues from. those who fe- fused to sign suck waivers and threatened to certify them as de- linguent ao the companies could discharge them under closed con- tracts. It has been reported that the presence of F.B.]. agents in Spring- field was the cauhe for Lewis’ re- cent sulomobile trip to that min- ing ates The trin te under OP A SfSe- sath Seep se UGS ae investigation to determine whether he violated the gasoline rationing regulations. Doyle Bays “No Werd.” U. &. District Attorney Howard | 'L. Doyle said today he “knew noth- ‘Ing whatsoever" about the report- ' ed forthcoming grand jury inves- : ‘tigation of the John L. Lewis- , Mine B Coll Co. loan deal “I heve recelved no instructions : .™M any kind from Washington on S825 BEHSUD SEEGET SE" SES JESSTRESES, ES GSS GleEthT, Mr. pena wr. 5 Tem... : bar Bota Washington, Sept. 3. (UP) — & federal grand jury will be aaked determine whether, Presi. were Pw John L"Lewix of tH’ United Mine Workers and&Mine EB Coal Co., Springfield )., violated the civil rights statute in a §350,000/ transaction, it was learned today. Rellable sources sald an Inquiry by the federal bureau of investiga- tion was about completed, and that the matter would be placed before a federa]) grand jury here of at Springtield. Justice department officials dle- | clined to comment. It would be up to the grand fury fo determine whether the transac- tion warrants an indictment for conspiracy to violate the right of Mine B employes to bargain col- | lectively—a right guaranteed them | by the Wagner act. Conviction on charges of Interfering with an in- dividwal’s rights carries maximum ; penalties of five years imprison- t ment and $10,000 fine. Lewis, it was said, joaned or) made a gift of about $350,000 to Mine B Coal Co., in 1938, allegedly to cover Josses of the company in a lockout of its ployes who were members of th eTessive Mine Workers (A-F.L.). The govern- ment is expected to allege that the purpose was to break the AFL. union, which fesulted from e eplit with the UMW. in 1832, and i mit Lewis to regaiti chotro] over the miners. The internal revenue bureav first discovered evidence of the transaction during an investigation into a possible Income tax case. However, a study reportedly re- sulted In a decision that no viola-| | tion of the tax laws was involved. | As far as is known, this is only the second time that the ctvil rights statute has been applled to cover an alleged violation of the Wagner act, A Brooklyn, N. ¥. goon Jto dent Jo n IN"Lew