Montana labor news., 1936-10-15
President Green
Explains Action
Of Extension Bd

Statement made by William Green
President of the American Fedora
ton of Labor in regard to the organ
izations represented in the Commit
tee for Industrial Organization:
On August 5 the Executive Coun-
Gil of the American Federation of
Labor called upon the organizations
holding membership in the Commit
tee for Industrial Organization to
make their choice within thirty days
as to whether they would withdraw
from utilization with the American
Federation of Labor or discontinue
their membership in the Committee
for Industrial Organization.
These organizations which make
up the Committee for Industrial Or
ganization have made their decisions.
Their Representatives have chosen
to continue membership in the Com
mittee for Industrial Organization
and to withdraw their affiliated rela-
tionship with the American Fedora
ton of Labor. They have exercised
their freedom of choice. The Amer
lean Federation of Labor accepts it
as a determination on the part of the
organizations involved to leave the
American Federation of Labor and
to maintain the Committee for In
dustrial Organization. This organ
ization was classified by the Execu-
tive Council as a dual organization
functioning as a rival to the Amer
lean Federation of Labor.
In view of the choice made by the
organizations holding membership in
the Committee for Industrial Organ
ization the charge which has been
repeatedly made that the Executive
Council lacked authority to take ac-
ton against these organizations falls
flat. Instead of suspending these or
CARNATIONS through formal action
the Executive Council accorded them
an opportunity to make their own
decision. This is in accordance with
the voluntary principles and policies
which have been applied and follow
ed by the A. F. of L.
The plan of those who originated
and established the Committee for
Industrial Organization has unfolded
during the past ten months since the
adjournment of the Atlantic City
convention. Apparently the devel-
opments which have taken place
have been in accord with policies
which were formulated and adopted
when the Committee for Industrial
Organization was conceived and for
med. Undoubtedly, the next step
will be to officially and formally adj
NIT the existence of this new organ
ization and to proclaim it as a defin-
tie rival movement to the American
Federation of Labor. 1t is gener-
ally expected by the representatives
of the American Federation of Labor
that these further plans of those who
were the originators and organizers
of the Committee for Industrial Or
ganization will unfold and in due
course of time become publicly
known.
Notwithstanding the failure of all
the efforts which have been put
forth to compose the differences
which have arisen and to heal the
breach which was created by action
of the Committee for Industrial
Organization the officers and mem
bers of the Executive Council earn
estly hope that an understanding will
be ultimately reached, differences
adjusted and unity restored. In its
efforts to accomplish this purpose
the Executive Council asks nothing
more than the dissolution of the
Committee for Industrial Organiza-
ton. The unions holding member
snip in the Committee for Industrial
Organization can return and assume
their former status as affiliated I'M
ions with the American Federation of
Labor when they withdraw from af-
filiation with the Committee for In
dustrial Organization.
In the meantime NO action will be
taken by the Council against local
unions chartered by organizations
holding membership in the Commit
tee for Industrial Organization which
r affiliated with city central bod
les and state declarations of labor.
These organizations will be advised
to maintain the status quo until fur
Their notice. When it seems neces-
sary and advisable the Executive
Council will formulate and apply a
policy dealing with the relationship
of affiliated unions with city central
bodies and state declarations of labor.
The withdrawal of the organiza-
ton holding membership in the
Committee for Industrial Organiza-
ton from utilization with the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor will in no
way affect its organization and adj
ministrative policies. Through the
one hundred and two International
Organizations affiliated with it the
American Federation of Labor will
carry on aggressive organizing work
in all fields and among those en-