Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-29

|
ton to the great problems of the wage
! Garner"
Green summed up his viewpoint In
| the assertion that the American Fed
Grafton of Labor is regarded as the
American labor movement, speaking for
American labor, representing American
labor"
Green's Statement.
Green's statement follows:
THE President of the United States
! has seen fit to select a Secretary OF
Labor outside the recognized American
labor movement. The right of the
President to select the members of his
cabinet is freely recognized by all classes
of people, regardless of political or eco
nomic Affiliations.
President Wilson selected the first
| Secretary of Labor from the American
Federation Of Labor. His successors,
President Harding and President Cool
idge, did likewise. The officers and
members of the American Federation OF
Labor have always believed that the
Secretary of Labor, sitting in the Presi-
dents cabinet, should come from the
American Federation of Labor
| The American Federation of Labor is
| regarded as the American labor move
ment, speaking for American labor, rep
| resenting American labor The officers
and members of this organization be-
;ieve that the Secretary of Labor sitting
| in the Presidents cabinet should be a
man who understands the American
Labor movement, its problems and the
thought and mind of American labor.
Federation Disappointed.
I'VE have always held that the De-
! 2artment of Labor should be the in
strumentality through which labor could
/ express its mind and judgment upon
economic and industrial problems af-
fecting the well-being of working men
| and women through a Secretary of La
Dor to the President of the United States
and his cabinet.
1T is strong reason why we ear
| nestly urged the President to select a
Secretary of Labor from the member
ship of the American Federation OF
Labor. There are many men connected
with the American Federation of La
hor who meet all the political and eco
nomic requirements necessary to serve
as Secretary of Labor.
Why some one outside the American
Federation of Labor has been selected
is q question that can not be answered
by labor and one which it is diff1c lit to
understand.
The officers and members of the
American Federation of Labor, myself
included are keenly disappointed be-
cause the President failed to give the
American Federation of Labor recog-
milton in the selection OF Secretary Of
Labor"
Only Two Predecessors.
This cabinet post has been in exist
ence since 1913. but only two men have
occupied it-William B. Wilson, native
80
administration, and James j. Davis,
born in Wales, ever since the Repub-
licans made their postwar return to
| office.
Doak is a native OF Virginia, who
| rose in labor ranks from a humble be-
ginning at switching box-cars in the
Bluefeld, w. Va, railroad yards. He
was elected vice president of his broth
erhood in 1916 and assistant president
in 1927. A year later ne took on the
combined duties of editor of the Rail-
road Trainman and legislative repre-
sentative.
Calls on President.
President Hoover conferred with Mr.
Doak at the White House at noon to-
day. The latter said that his call was
primarily for the purpose of paying his
respects and to express his apprecia-
ton of the honor the President had
conferred upon him. However, it is
understood that the President briefly
discussed some of the more important
details incident to the office to which
he has named Mr.. Doak.
The President will send Mr. Doak's
nomination to the Senate probably on
| Wednesday In the meantime Robert
Carl White, Assistant Secretary of
Labor, will act as head of the Labor
Department.
Mr.. Doak has had no comment to
make since the announcement of his
selection for the cabinet other than to
express appreciation. He personally has
received a number of messages of con-
graduation and good will.
Regarding the confirmation of Mr..
Doak's nomination, the White House is
understood to have had assurances from
some of the administration leaders that
| there is no reason for apprehension on
this score. The matter was referred
yesterday to Senator Watson, Republic
an leader of the Senate. and he is said
| to have advised the President.
/ -0-