Evening star., 1934-08-15
Members, However, Refuse
to State When Ruling
Will Be Made.
J0HNS0N'S STATEMENT
is STUDIED BY BODY
Finerty Disagrees With Written
Statement by N. R. A.
Administrator.

John L. Donovan, dismissed N. r. A.
adviser and head of N. r. A. Lodge
No. 81, American Federation Of Gov
eminent Employees, probably will know
this week whether he may return to
his $3,4O0 job with the Recovery Ad-
miniStration.
When the National Labor Relations
Board was told yesterday by Donovan's
counsel, John F. F1nerty, that Dono-
van had agreed to permit Gen. Hugh
S. Johnson to submit a written state
ment of his side of the case, the board
closed the taking of testimony and
began a final study of the evidence
submitted.
The board is charged with finding
whether Donovan was discharged for
inefhciency and INSTRUMENTATION. or
was discharged for his activities in
behalf of the employees union.
Board Members Silent.
Lloyd K. Garrison, chairman, was
non-c -committal today as to when a
ruling will be made. The other two
members. Dr. Harry A. Mills and
Edwin S. Smith, likewise were re-
ticent. Attaches of their Offices, how
ever, said they expected a decision
some time this week.
Gen. johnson was severely criticized
by both Finerty and E. Claude Bab-
cock, president of the National Fed
Grafton of Government Employees, for
failing to appear in person before the
board and submit himself to cross
examination.
Finerty issued a statement today in
which he called Gen. Johnson's state
ment "a mass of deliberate and un-
mitigated Misrepresentation" He also
said "cross-examination would newt
ably demonstrate that Gen johnson,
far from being a friend of union
labor. is one of it's most insidious
enemies, or one Of its least intelligent
friends"
The generals written reply, how
ever, pleaded the accumulation of
business during his recent tour Of the
West as the reason for his refusal to
appear.
THE importance and volume of
accumulated matters requiring imme-
diate attention" the administrators
statement said, make it impossible for
me to present these facts in person at
any time in the near future"
Gen. Johnson charged that Donovan
''has apparently endeavored, by every
public device available, to embarrass
the administration and obscure the
real facts" about his discharge.
Il discharged John L. Donovan" the
statement asserted, ION June 18 for
characterization in my Office, including
threats and other such action, all in
case which had been settled pre-
viously in favor of the employe rep
resented so far as any action on my
part was required, and for improper
conduct all as reported by his imme-
diate superior, DR.. Peck, and other
members of my staff, on which reports
I acted"
The case referred to was that of
Mrs. Nancy Luke, a stencil cutter, who
was dismissed and afterward re-
instated. DR.. Peck, mentioned by the
general, is DR.. Gustav Peck, chief of
the staff Of the Labor Advisory Board
and Donovan's immediate superior.
Accused Of Interference.
"I respectfully submit" the state
ment continued, that since that time
Donovan has engaged in tactics which
have seriously interfered with the
Governments duties intrusted to me
and that he has thereby forfeited any
right to reinstatement.
while this case has been before
you, in the extremely delicate and
important San Francisco and Chicago
strikes, Donovan's representatives
caused kilograms to be sent to the
workers involved in the strike urging
them to refuse my services, which the
unions involved in both cases had
insistently requested /" Also, while
this case has been pending here his
lodge has indorsed the picketing of
the Commerce Building, in which
placards of an extremely insulting ma
ture, referring to me and the N. R. A,
have been used"
Donovan, on the stand in his own
behalf. disclaimed any advance knowl-
edge of the kilograms referred to by
Gen. johnson, but admitted he had
helped purchase materials used by the
pickets who were posted outside the
N. r. A. Offices by Citizens COM
mittee."