Evening star., 1936-07-04
The Battling John L.

ranks of organized labor are not new.
They seem, however, OF larger propor-
tions. John L. Lewis, president Of the
United Mine Workers of America and
at the same time the moving spirit in
the Committee for Industrial Organiza-
tion, apparently is bent upon a show
down with William Green and the Amer
ican Federation of Labor For Mr.. Lewis
and the ten c. l. o. unions are declin-
ing to appear next Tuesday before the
Executive Council of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor to answer the charge
that they are trying to build up rival
organization. What Mr.. Green and the
Executive Council will do in the face
of this defiance remains to be seen.
At the same time that he takes on
the Executive Council of the American
Federation of Labor for showdown,
Mr.. Lewis is planning showdown with
the American Iron and Steel Institute.
In fact, Mr.. Lewis may figure that
contest with the steel operators will be
an asset at the time that he is defying
the American Federation of Labor. And
possibly the president of the United
cry, naturally, will be, don't divide the
forces Of organized labor during a major
battle with the employers"
The American Federation officials,
however, who believe in the horizontal
or craft unions, have viewed with con-
siderable suspicion the efforts of Mr.
vertical union for an entire industry.
Mr.. Lewis has given evidence of consid-
cradle adroitness and boldness. Fur
thermore, he has moved over to the
political side of the picture. He and
his United Mine Workers have Endorsed
President Roosevelt for reelection. Mr..
Roosevelt, in turn, has smiled upon Mr..
Lewis. Indeed, it is reported that Mr..
Lewis was allowed to have his say re-
garding planks in the Democratic ma
tional platform affecting labor, when it
was in the process of being drafted in
Washington and before 1t was sent on
to Philadelphia.
Mr.. Lewis has battle on two fronts
one with the Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor and the
other with the steel operators, among
whose employees he is seeking to estab
lish an industrial union. What is Mr.
Roosevelt going to do? Is he going to
back Mr.. Lewis in his contest with
William Green and the A. F. of L. coun-
Gil? The American Federation of Labor
has so far maintained its traditional
non partisan political attitude in the
national campaign, although Green is
Democrat and has expressed the belief
that Roosevelt should be reelected. Mr.
Lewis has seemingly attempted to force
the hands of the president of the
American Federation of Labor by hav-
ing his mine workers go on record I'M
qualifedly for the reelection of the
President
If the controversy between the steel
industry and Mr.. Lewis and his organ
izers reaches the proportions of strike
or lockout during the presidential cam
paign, President Roosevelt may be called
upon to take sides. What then?
These campaigns within a campaign
are all very puzzling. Potentially they
are filled with dynamite. But in what
direction the explosion will go, If it
occurs, and whom it will affect are still
questions to be answered. Mr.. Lewis
has attempted to tie the President in
with him and his industrial unions. How
long organized labor will present a
united front in the political campaign
under such conditions only time will tell.