Evening star., 1934-06-20
PROTEST MEETING
TO PLAN FIGHT TO
RESTORE DONOVAN
Johnson Appoints Edward J.
Tracy on N. R. A. Fed
eraI Personnel.
"HANOS-OFF" STAND
IN UNION CASES SEEN
Dismissal of Labor Advisory
Clerk Followed by Expression
on Discrimination.

Definite plans for the fight to have
John Donovan, dismissed clerk of the
Labor Advisory Board and president
of N. R. A. Lodge, No. 9l, American
Federation of Government Employees.
restored to duty will be made tonight
at a protest meeting of the local to
be held at the Hamilton Hotel at 8
O'Clock.
Three committees, the Executive,
Grievance and Membership groups
met today to outline the program for
the night meeting and to offer a
method of procedure.
Meanwhile. Gen. Hugh S. johnson.
who discharged Donovan when he ap-
peared as head of delegation to pro-
test the custer of another N R. A.
employe. has appointed Edward j..
Tracy to act for him in all matters
pertaining to personnel of the N. R.
A. who are members of the A. F. G. E.
The order designating Tracy as the
administrator representative also
contained the provision that AL cases
in which discrimination is charged
because of union activities are here
after to be referred to the Labor Ad-
visory Board
Future Attitude Seen.
This order was interpreted as mean
ing that. although Gen. Johnson acted
personally in diScharging Donovan,
hereafter he will take hands off"
attitude in any disputes arising from
the union.
&c 70
Administrator Edward F. McGrady,
and prior to his employment by
N r. A. was connected with the
American Federation of Labor as an
executive
E Claude Babcock, national presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Government Employees. said today he
has not yet decided to take a hand in
the case, pending action of the local
tonight.
1T is not my turn at bat yet" Bah
cock said. so far the whole matter
is in the hands of the local union.
If the union appeals to the national
organization, then it will be my turn.
do not mean that I am not inter-
ested in the case: l simply mean that
so long as the case remains in the
hands of the local and the local be-
lieves 1t can smooth out the difficulty
then 1t isn't up to me to but in
Outside Board Favored.
He added, however, that in case he
Is called upon to assist. his present
inclination would be to appoint an
impartial board, outside the N. R. A =,
to ascertain the facts in the case from
both sides and then submit a recon-
mendation.
Gen. Johnson already has said he
would welcome an airing of the case
at which all facts could be presented
Last night the case drew the fire
of Senator Nye. Republican, of North
Dakota, who criticized johnson Sc
verely for singing out the president
of the union to be dismissed.
In order to prepare for the meet
ing tonight, Henry Rhine, chairman
of the Grievance Committee and dele
gate to the Central Labor Union, took
the day off to avoid any new diff
culties at N. R A. headquarters.
At the same time, officials there
assumed the attitude the case was
closed unless the union takes advan-
tage of the order issued by the ad-
ministrator to go before the Labor
Advisory Board. This. however. ap-
peared remote since Gen. johnson
announced that DR.. Leo Wolman
chairman. and DR.. Gustav Peck, act
ing chairman. both recommended the
dismissal of Donovan.