The Washington times., 1933-09-23
n, F, F, {, FIRM
= ON IDENTITY
QUESTION
Federation Refuses to Enter A.
F. of L. by Back Door;
Jurisdiction Row Up
BY DUNCAN FORSYTH

Combination of the rival Or
ganizations of Federal employees,
q question which has risen to
major prominence since the con-
yentions Of these organizations
and the expressed wish of Harry
B. Mitchell, chairman Of the
Civil Service Commission, that
they might merge, may be some-
what nearer, it was indicated to-
day, but number of difficulties
have to be ironed out.
The jurisdictional battle over
mechanical tradesmen employed
tn the Federal service is as live
an issue as ever, and the present
leadership Of the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees is
unlikely to listen to reaffiliation
talk until that situation is settled.
To Keep Identity
The N.FF.E. also, it is made
clear, has no intention Of re-
turning to the A. F. of L. fold
S'through the back door," In
other words, it will not sacrifice
its identity by merger with the
American Federation Of Govern
anent Employees on the basis laid
down by William Green, presi-
dent of the American Federation
bf Labor, that the A. F. G. E.
alone is recognized by the A. F.
Of L.
Further, there are certain mem
bers Of the A. F. G. E. who are
not popular in the opposing
ranks, though the new board Of
officials of the A. F.. G.. E. seems
Ito be considered strong and cap
able, and it's members personally
Mnobjectionable to the rank and
Rile of N. F. F. E. members.
Finally, there IS a strong fac
zion in the N. F.. F. E. which con-
siders the A. F. Of L. lacking in
social vision.
The jurisdictional squabble was
probably more than anything else
responsible for the original break
between the N. F. F. E. and the
"A. F. Of L. in 1881. Leaders Of
the N. F. F. E. resented the as
sumption of certain A. F. Of l..
officials that they had jurisdic-
tion over mechanical tradesmen
in the Government employ, par
ticularly when they had never
done anything to organize them.
Another Row
Another sore spot between the
N. r. F. e. and the metal trades
workers is the fact that there
we're differences of opinion on the
Saturday half-holiday question,
the N. F.. F. E. contending that the
machinists' organization was
ready to work for the half-hollday
for its own members but was quite
willing to leave clerical workers
out. On the other hand, the N. r:
F. E. holds that it campalgned
for the half-holiday both in the
interest of it's own forces and the
mechanical tradesmen.
"A proposal at the A. F. G. E.
convention for government
workers department in the A. F.
OF L.. coordinate with the union
label department and building
trades department, might, it was
thought. afford basis for a COM
promise on the jurisdictional queS-
ton.
Lack Compensated
The "lack of social vision" COM
uiained of in the A. F. of L., in
fhe opinion of some N. F. F. E.
leaders, is to some extent compen-
sated by reason Of the A. F. Of
LIS close relationship with the
Federal government, under the
MIRA procedure.
indeed, the point has been
brought out that if the A. F. OF
L. were a more radical organiza-
ton, it might not enjoy the con-
fidence of the Government to the
same degree that it now possesses
it.
Developments of the near future
will be watched by Federal en-
ployes in both camps with great
interest. The A. E. G. E. Is COM
mitted, by a resolution adopted at
its convention, to initiate over
tilres toward its rival organization,
and there are indications today
that under certain circumstances
some results may be achieved
thereby.