Evening star., 1933-09-05
VOTES
UN|TED[Y AGAINST
| LABOR AFF|L|AT|0N
Victory for Administration
Forces Seen in 0pposi-
ton to A. F. of L.
CONVENTION OPPOSES
PAY CUTS FOR LEADERS
Issues Bob Up Unexpectedly at
Opening Business Sessions
in Kansas City.
BY J. A. FOX,
Staff Correspondent Of The Star.

BY J. A. FOX.
Staff Correspondent Of The Star.
KANSAS Getty, Mo-. September S.
The National Federation of Federal
Employees today voted unanimously
against reafhhation with the American
Federation of Labor. It was a victory
for administration forces.
The issue bobbed up Unexpectedly at
the opening business session of the con-
vention, and was the second triumph
, for the administration, a proposal at
| the outset to cut the pay of Luther C.
Steward, president. and Miss Gertrude
| McNally, secretary and the
| headquarters staff being beaten.
The rejection of the reafiiliation move
came in adoption of report from the
Committee on Officers Reports calling
for support of President Steward, who
yesterday, hitting at pending reaffllia-
| tion resolutions bitterly assailed VIII
| liam Green, president of the American
| Federation OF Labor, and the American
Federation of Government Employees.
the rival group set up by labor after
the split two years ago.
Nothing Held Gained.
The report, which said that nothing
can be gained by reaffiliation as long as
| the present hopelessly, double dealing,
unscrupulouS and reactionary leadership
is maintained by the American Fedora
tlon OF Labor. was greeted with cheers.
| Some delegates expressed the hope
that reafhliation might eventually be
brought about, and one speaker. Joe
Morris Of Des Moines, said the Feder-
alton of Federal Employees had been
hurt by the split
| A move to amend the report to get
| in the conciliatory hope of future union,
was however beaten.
Among the reafhliation opponents
| were Victor L. Lowe of Bureau of
Standards local, who said he did not
believe the association ever should have
existed and that the employees did not
need the A. F. of L.
He favored cooperation with labor,
however.
Miss Belle Trouland, head of the
Bureau of Engraving women's local,
accused the A. F. of L. of threatening
to break up her union.
Committees took over the huge VOL
ume OF resolutions embodying the ideas
of the federation members for improv-
ing labor conditions and began at once
to whip them into shape for presenta-
ton on the floor for action by the
assembly.
Partial reports, at least. on several
OF the issues at stake, were due be-
fore the convention today the commit
tees having held sessions last night to
expedite matters. From then on there
will be steady flow until delibera-
tions are completed at the end of this
week.
157 Delegates Present.
A check by the Credentials Committee
shows, it was said, that this convention
has reached a new high in attendance,
with 157 delegates representing more
than 200 Of the federation's 383 locals
The majority of the delegates only put
IN appearance yesterday, the restriction
Of annual leave this year to less than
IL days having forced them to use this
time to the best possible advantage, and
delay departure from their posts as
long as possible.
Inequities that have grown out of
economy legislation widespread dis
missals, pay cuts, furloughs, mainten-
ance Of Federal charges for quarters,
subsistence and laundry on level that
does not take into account the lowered
cost OF living used as a basis for the
pay cut; curtailed leave privileges and
the marital status clause loomed as the
principal objects Of attack as the con-
ventlon machinery started to run
Along with these, are reforms sought
by the federation, such as liberalized
retirement policy that would provide
among other things, for voluntary re-
tirement; dismissal wage; extension
OF classification; creation of a civil
service court OF appeals, and extension
and protection-of the merit system
On these points, generally, the dele
gates see eye to eye, but in the back
ground, by itself, Is one issue that
promises to cause q stir, and that is
re-afhliation with the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor. What it will amour:
to will probably only be determined
when it breaks Bitterly opposed by
leaders of the Federation of Federal
Employees, the proposal has support in
some quarters. Some principal oppon-
ents express the opinion that the older
members Of the federation are on their
side, and that the strength Of the move
ment will be determined largely by the
support coming from the younger ele-
ment.
Resolutions favoring renewal of re-
lations with the A. F. Of L. have been
offered, by locals in Edgewood, Md !,
Yakima, Wash; Jeffersonville, Ind, and
Cleveland. The last named local also
proposes to rescind the action of the
! executive council in suspending is Dis
:; trict Of Columbia members who sought
unsuccessfully in District Supreme
Court to block, the split, while Local
260. OF the District would repeal the
suspension power Of the council.
Referred to Constitution Group.
These resolutions were sent TO the
Committee on Constitution, named
yesterday by Steward at the opening
session. At the head Of the group is
Miss Belle A. Trouland, president of
Bureau of Engraving Local los. and
none Of the locals favoring afiliation
Is represented in it.
Stewards keynote speech yesterday,
in which he discussed the breach, and
assailed William Green, president Of
the Federation of Labor, and the rival
employees anization-American Fed
Grafton Of Government Employes-or-
ganized as an A. F. Of L. affiliate, was
three times greeted by bursts Of ap-
the delegates took part.
, The Washington delegation Is wen
represented on the committees which
are handling the conventions business
In addition to the Craftsmanship, held
by Miss Trouland, others were given
Ulrey j. Biller, ninth vice president,
who heads the Committee on Retire
ment.
DR.. J. Franklin Meyer, Local 26o,
Classification, and Louis A. Rosafy, No.
372, Leave and Hours. Other assign
ments were as follows: Henry @.
! Nolda, No. 2, Credentials: v. M. john
derson, No. 2, Reports Of Odicers; J. o.
Burnham, No. 262, Resolutions; A. NJ.
. Reising. No. 2, Retirement; Gertrude
. e. coyle, No. 261, Classification, and
Edgar Graham. No. 262, Leave and
Hours