The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-06
.LABOR'S VOTES
FOR new DEAL
MAY TURN TIDE
Union Endorsements Seen as
Possible Victory Key in
Close States
BY THOMAS L. STOKES


WASHINGTON, May 6.-Labor
votes pledged to President Roosevelt
may tip the balance in such closely
fought states as New York and
Pennsylvania, and perhaps in Ohio
and Michigan, an analysis Of recent
developments indicated today.
These include Endorsement of
President Roosevelt's reelection by
the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea. the American Federation of
Hosiery Workers, the Pennsylvania
Federation of Labor and scheduled
Endorsement by the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers at their conven-
ton which opens next Monday in
Cleveland. All of these organize
tions are strong In Eastern indus
trial areas.
Back of this labor movement for
President Roosevelt are two OF the
countrys most forceful labor lead
ers-John L. Lewis, president, Unit
ed Mine Workers, and Sidney Hill
man, president, Amalgamated Cloth
ing Workers-who are joined with
George L. Berry, president, Inter
national Pressmen's Union, in the
recently formed Labor Nom Partisan
Political League.
Organization Rises From Fight
This organization is an outgrowth
OF the fight led by Mr. Lewis, adj
vocate of industrial union organiza
ton for mass production industries,
against President William Green of
the American Federation of Labor
who is standing by the traditional
craft basis of organization.
The potentialities of the Lewis
Hillman- Berry campaign for Presi-
dent Roosevelt can be illustrated
graphically in the case of New York
and Pennsylvania, with their COM
bined total of 83 electoral votes.
In Pennsylvania, for instance, are
between 255,000 and 100000 mem
bers of the United Mine Workers,
the Amalgamated Clothing Work
ers and the Hosiery union. These,
voting as unit in a state where
Roosevelt strength is reported on
the increase, might we'll decide the
issue. The Pennsylvania Federation
of Labor, which shattered all prece-
dents by indorsing the President last
week, has 100000 members.
Union Membership Counted
New York State has more than
100000 members of the Amalgamat-
ed Clothing Workers and the Inter-
national Ladies Garment Workers
Union. The latter organization,
which is expected to indorse the
President, has 100000 workers in
New York City.
West Virginia has between LOT 900
and 10000 members of the United
Mine Workers; Ohio, $4,000 and In
diana, 10000, while automobile
workers in Michigan offer a fertile
field for the Democrats in the COM
ing campaign.
This campaign is not the first in
which an effort has been made to
line up labor. Hitherto it has not
been eminently successful. In his
independent campaign for the presi-
dency in 1925 the late Senator La
Toilette won Endorsement by or
ganized labor, but although he got
5000, 900 votes, he carried only his
own state. The A. F. of L. an
nounced in 1920 that James M. Cox's
labor record was better than War
rem G. Harding's, bat Harding won
Overwhelmingly.
This yea, however, the situation
differs in many respects. Labor is
beholden to President Roosevelt for
definite results-collective bargain
ing under MIRA, the Wagner Labor
Relations Act, the Guffey Coal Act
among others.
Realignment Appears in Ofing
Labor, through the initiative of
such men as Mr.. Lewis, Mr.. Hill
man and Mr.. Berry, seems to be
ready to contribute to the realign-
ment of political parties which APP
pears to be in the making
These three men quickly saw the
possibilities for advancement of la
Dor interests in the New Deal and
all three early became parts of the
machinery which the Administra-
ton set up under NRA, an arrange
ment which has been helpful to both
sides.
The Roosevelt labor policies have
been responsible for breaking into
other political units. For instance,
David Dubinsky, president of the In
ternational Ladies Garment Work
ers, recently resigned from the So
cialist Party to join in the campaign
for Mr.. Roosevelt's reelection.
Only the future can tell whether
labor Is headed for an alliance with
the new Democratic party that
President Roosevelt seems to be
shaping, or whether the direction is
toward an independent labor party.
All Endorsements thus far have been
for President Roosevelt and not for
the Democratic party.