Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-05
Association Lasting More
Than IA Years Terminated
by National Vote.
LETTER SENT TO GREEN
TELLING OF OUTCOME
Washington Members Oppose Sep
aration of Groups by Vote of
6,0i2 DO 2,993.

Inc National Federation of Federal
Employees today stood outside the ranks
OF the American Federation of Labor
after an association dating back more
than IA years.
Inc severance, which resulted from
a dispute over proposed Redistribution
!eslSIauon, became an accomplished
Iact at midnight when a Nationwide
referendum among the membership of
the Federal employees was tabuIated at
national heaquarterS here, and showed
1888 IN favor of withdrawal and IL .4O6
opposed.
A letter went forward today to Will
lam Green, president of the American
reoeratlon OF Labor, over the sigma
lures OF Luther G. Steward, president,
and Miss Gertrude McNallv, secretarv.
treasurer of the Federal employees al.
yislng the head of labor of the With
drawaI.
Capital Locals Opposed,
IN aal, 229 locals participated IN the
vote. In Washington, seven of the
II unions opposed Withdrawal, with
the remaining four in favor. The vote
against withdrawal was S,Oa2, with
1893 In favor. A
There was total OF 27,74f votes cast
out Of membership Of 52Is4.
There are in the ranks OF the Federal
employees Az locals, and those which
were not represented In the vote either
ralIed to participate or were barred
because their dues were not current
according to advices sent to all local
officials in letter by Steward and Miss
McNally, advising them of the result
Of the ballot.
Green's Letters Given Out
In announcing the vote, President
steward gave out additional CORE
Spondence that had been EXCHANGED
win PRESIDENT Green on the separation
issue and which supplemented other
letters made public early in November,
when Ghe question was put up to the
Federal employees
AS In his previous communications.
Green, adopting a conciliatorv attitude
attempted TO compromise the differences.
WnlIe the Federal employees rejected the
oVertureS and accused the A, r. of l..
head Of bad faith.
The trouble arose over the action of
the Vancouver convention of the A F.
OF L. in opposing Redistribution lepis-
latlon sought by the Federal employees
on the ground that it would have made
the wages of the skilled trades subject
10 the Personnel Classification Board.
whereas, under the present system, the
tradesmen are enabled to negotiate with
the heads of their respective depart
ments and want to continue on that
basis,
Pledged New Program.
Green said when the breach was in
dlcated that the Federation of Labor
was not opposed to the principle of re-
classification and pledged his efforts to
work out legislative sprogram that
would be satisfactory to all parties con-
cerned.
The Federal employees heads, however.
insisted, in effect, that the interests of
their organization had not been given
proper consideration in the condenna-
ton OF the legislation; held that Green
could have been more diligent in han
ding their side of the case. and went
ahead with the Nationwide vote on
secession.
The correspondence given out TODAY
SHOWS that on November 20 Mr. Green
wrote to President Steward, repeating
his belief that "a very grave mistake
VIII be made and great injury will be
lnt1icted upon the membership of the
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes if final withdrawal of afilia-
tlon With the American Federation of
Labor takes place"
He further urged that, Regardless of
the outcome of the referendum vote"
the final decision be withheld until the
FEDERAL employees officers and the
executive council of the A. r. of L.
could get together here in January for
the express purpose of composing the
differences and for the settlement of
any grievances, real or imaginary,
which you may entertain toward the
American Federation of Labor and anv
Of its officers"
Overture Rejected.
A week later Steward replied reject
ing the overture as an empty asslIr-
ance," and again criticizing the Execu-
i've committee OF the A. r. or L., in
which the original attack on the clas-
'1tication legislation arose.
Mr.. Green answered this letter on
November 80 and reiterated that the
r. OF l.. and all its leaders will
gladly and willingly support such clas-
legislation as you NAV draft.
applicable to the Federal employe over
Thom you may rightfully exercise juris-
fiction" '~
He said further that the separation
cannot now be successfully defended
lpon tne basis of the reasons which
'ou have thus far assigned"
Inc letter today was the reply. II in
'luded criticism of steps that Green
las taken since the trouble started
-. He was accused of attempting tn
influence local unions, both by his
etters and In meeting here at which
lie spoke. 1t was explained, however
u the time OF this meeting, that Mr.
ireen had nothing to do with its being
allied e
Green also was criticized for having
lgned the report of the Presidents
Organization on Unemployment Relief
ONE weeks ago, which advocated vari1