Evening star., 1936-02-01
AID To DEMOCRATS
VOTED BY j. M. ".
ParIey Votes to Contribute
Cash and Ind0rSeS
Roosevelt.
BY J, A. FOX.

Unanimously indorsing President
Roosevelt for reelection. the 1,700
delegates to the United Mine Workers
Convention voted today to contribute
to the Democratic campaign fund.
Union officials said the U. M. w.
had never before Endorsed any Pres
idential candidates.
"It might be we'll for the American
Federation of Labor to take cognizance
of what this convention has done"
John L. Lewis. president of the miners
organization, declared after adoption
of the pro- Roosevelt resolution.
IF the A. F. of L. would follow suit.
as it should" he added. then. for all
practical purposes. the result of the
next election no longer would be in
doubt"
The A. F. of L., as such, traditionally
takes no part in presidential elections.
Green's Speech Awaited.
Announcement that William Green.
A. F. Of L. president, would address
the convention at 3 pm. Monday. was
greeted by loud applause. Green's ap-
pearance was awaited with intense in
terest because of his leadership of the
federation faction opposed to the in
dustrial unionism policy of the miners.
I'VE are not indorsing the Demo-
cratic party as SUCH" Lewis told the
convention.
I'VE are rising to meet crisis in
the economic and political affairs Of
the Nation. The union is allying
itself with great statesman to
protect the common people.
'The interests in downtown New
York are boasting they can raise
enough money to elect a Chinaman to
the White House.
"It is time for the United Mine
Workers and all the common people
to show these interests that there
isn't enough money in this country to
buy the presidency"
Lewis for many years was q Re-
publican.
Political Tension Mounts.
The union treasury, last December 1,
was reported to contain upward of
$2.000,00O.
The mine union action regarding
Mr.. Roosevelt contributed to the
mounting political tension in the
Capital. Whether Republicans would
take any notice of it was awaited.
The mine workers today were wind
ing up the first week of their 34th
convention here, with two other i'm
portant lines of action in their in
ternal affairs definitely decided upon
as the result of deliberations at Con-
stitution Hall.
Foremost of these was the decision
| to push the cause of industrial unions
| in the mass production industries
Ranking next was the vote of support
| for the anthracite workers in their de-
mand for q six-hour day, five day
week, to be urged on the operators
when they start next month to nego-
tiate a new contract.
Morning Session Only.
Only a morning session was on the
docket today, and consequently it was
problematical if the convention would
act on the demand for autonomy
which comes from members in several
States. This issue has been side
tracked by other matters since
Wednesday evening, when a roll call
vote was forced by districts which
seek to regulate their own affairs. in
stead Of having the power vested in
officers named by the National Execu-
tive Board. The balloting will be q
lengthy proceeding, with 1,70O dele
gates to be polled. Judging from Q
test vote already taken. the pro-
ponents of autonomy are in for de.
feat from their opponents. led by the
national officers.
At today's session, the officers will
be presented with medals for theil
efforts in behalf of the union, which
are the award Of Pennsylvania Dis
trict No. S. The district also voted q
medal to President Roosevelt for hi
assistance to labor.