Evening star., 1934-06-19
OTHER D!SM|SSALS
|NN.R.A A. FORECAST
BY GEN. JOHNSON
Declares Action Will Not Be
Because of Union AffiIia-
tion or Activities.
MEMBER OF DELEGATION
is UNDER SUSPICION
Central Labor Union Appeals to
Roosevelt for Reinstatement
of Donovan.

There may be other diSmissals from
the ranks of N. r. A. Lodge, No. 81,
American Federation of Government
Employees, in addition to John Dono-
van, president, Administrator Hugh S.
johnson said today, but he said the
dismissals will not be because of union
aff1liation or activities.
Johnson, at his press conference,
cut off questions about the Donovan
dismissal in his usual curt manner
after explaining that union activities
had nothing to do with his removal
as a clerk of the Labor Advisory
Board, The administrator said he
would welcome having the Donovan
case aired before the National Labor
Board
Dismissed for Inefficiency.'
johnson did not repeat the charges
against the union leader, but in a
statement issued last night, announced
that Donovan had been dismissed for
ineficiency. neglect of duty, absence
from duty without leave and in
subordination.
Asked If he had threatened to dis
miss any other union members, he
said he had been told that one member
of the delegation that called upon
him yesterday had been suspected of
disclosing confidential Government
documents. If that is proved, III fire
the person involved He declined to
identify the suspected employe. Gen.
johnson reiterated his various state
ments that he would assist E. Claude
Babcock, national president of the
American Federation of Government
Employees, in organizing or strengthen
ing an N R. A. union.
I'll help him in any way I can,
but won't force anybody to join" he
said
Demand Reinstatement.
Meanwhile, reinstatement of Dono-
van as a member of the clerical staff
Of the N. R. A. Labor Advisory Board
was demanded in a number of let
ters forwarded to President Roose-
welt and other officials by the Central
Labor Union of Washington.
At the same time N. R. A. Lodge,
No. 81, American Federation of Gov
ernment Employees, of which Donovan
was president, called protest meet
ing to be held tomorrow at pm. in
the blue room of the Hamilton Hotel.
Donovan was dismissed late yester-
day by Administrator johnson.
johnson said the action had no
connection whatever with Donovan's
union activities, although it was an
nounced when Donovan visited
Johnson's Office a second time dur
ing the day to protest the dismissal
of another N. R. A. employe, Mrs.
Nancy Luke.
Chiefs Asked Discharge.
Instead. the general said. Donovan
was discharged on the recommended
ton of DR.. Gustav Peck, acting chair
man of the Labor Advisory Board, and
Dr. Leo Wolman, the chairman, who
is now in Detroit.
The case was taken before the Cen
trail Labor Union last night by Henry
Rhine, delegate from the N. R. A.
Lodge, who characterized it as a
ridiculous situation" and a most
hlOIlCAOOuS dIlO SlRIlulCdllL CdSe.
Rhine said a delegation headed by
Donovan had an appointment through
Miss Frances NJ Robinson, Johnson's
assistant, to file protest against Mrs.
Luke's dismissal The group showed
up at the generals office at l o'clock.
and after waiting for an hour, were
told to return at 5 pm. At that hour,
johnson received Donovan alone and
few minutes later announced the
dismissal to the group waiting outside.
Rhine charged the action was taken
because Donovan was head of the
union and head of the delegation"
Refused Explanation.
When Rhine and his companions
asked for an explanation, he quoted
Gen, johnson as replying: Il don't
have to answer you. I'm responsible
Tor the hiring and firing"
Later the administrator issued a
formal statement in which he out
lined the charges against Donovan.
Probably l am more in accord
with the principles of unionism than
you are" the statement quotes john
son as saying to the union delegation.
but 1t must be realized that in Gov
eminent service we are working for
every one and not just for a single
group. I have tried hard to give you
an example myself"
johnson also said he had discussed
N. r. A. working conditions with E.
Claude Babcock, national president
OF the A. F. G. E., and had offered
his cooperation in organizing N r.
A. employees. He also said DR.. Peck
had consulted William Green, presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor. on the same subject.
The Central Labor Union announced
its protests were being sent to the
President, Gen. johnson, the Senate
and House Labor Committees. and to
Senator Robert F. Wagner, chairman
of the National Labor Board.
John P. Frey, secretary treasurer
of the Metal Trades Section of the
A F. of L. and a member of the La
Dor Advisory Board. said he will at
tempt to have a meeting of the board
tomorrow afternoon to go into the
entire N. r. A. employment situation.
At the same time Or. Peck put a stop
to the use OF the Advisory Boards Of
flee during business hours for confer