The Washington times., 1935-10-07
A. F.0FL. PLANS
CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENT

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., Oct. 7
UN.SO Determined to stamp
out communistic influence in the
ranks of organized labor, the
American Federation of Labor ss-
sembled here today in its fifty
fifth annual convention.
Serious problems" were laid
before the more than 500 dele
gates by President william Green
and 16 fellow members of the
executive council in an earnestly.
worded 150-page report.
May Amend Constitution
Most serious to the union move.
ment, said the report, was recent
issuance of orders by the Com
munist Internationale in Moscow
to its American members to join
the A. F.. of L., become officers
and delegates to all conventions
and eventually get control Of the
organization.
The council proposed an
amendment to the federation'S
constitution barring all unions
differed or controlled by COM
munists from representation or
recognition.
Several family rows also were
due for an airing before the two
week session is over
Building Trades Fight
Notably, there is the fight for
control Of the building trades de
partment. The executive council
already has recognized the lead.
ership of j. w. Williams, backed
by the powerful carpenters, cleo
trical workers, bricklayers and
four other unions, as opposed TO
IL lesser unions who demand that
M ]. McDonough be reinstated.
The council report asked that
the convention formally rat1ty its
action-but it was problematical
whether the issue would be
reached Immediately.
Another scrap which will reach
the floor-again probably not for
several days-hingeS around re-
cent efforts to form so-called in.
dustrial unions in maSS-produc-
tion industries which will embrace
all workers regardless Of the type
of work thew perform.
Lewis Against Frey
The craft unions, which regi-
ment skilled workers in each dis
tinctive field, are bitterly opposed
to the au-inclusive unions. John
w. Lewis, veteran head Of the
United Mine Workers, is expected
to lead the fight for the industrial
unions, while John P. Frey, head
of the metal trades department,
is marshaling the craft unions.
Both sides were claiming VIC
tory in advance. The vote will be
close. The executive council is
urging that each case be decided
on its individual merits, accord
ing to the best judgment Of the
national Officers.
The credentials of several dele
gates have been challenged, not
ably those in the possession of
Mrs. Florence Curtis Hanson, as a
representative of the American
Federation Of Teachers. Ernestine
Oldham, corresponding secretary
of the Federation of Women High
School Teachers of Chicago, has
wired in formal protest that Mrs.
Hanson has not taught for nine
years, but holds credentials from
the Yale local of New Haven,
Conn, although she lives in
Olean, N. Y, in violation of the
teachers federation constitution.
Sided With Radicals
Behind this technicality lies re-
sentiment against Mrs. Hanson be-
cause, although not a Communist
herself, she sided with commu-
niStic elements at the teachers
federation'S recent convention in
Cleveland.
Today's opening session was ex-
pected to be confined largely to
the welcoming speech of President
William Green, who later in the
convention will be up for reelec-
ton, the designation of commit
tees and the introduction of some
resolutions. This order will pre-
vail if the chair has its way.