Evening star., 1936-07-17
CONF FERENCE SET
FOR c. |. 0. UNIONS
IL Representatives Called
Here Next tuesday to
Discuss Policy.
BY JOHN c. HENRY.


unions OF the Committee on Indus
trial Organization have been sum-
moned to Washington for conference
next Tuesday 1t was learned this
morning.
The call was sent out by Chair
man John L. Lewis and Executive d.
rector John Brophy. the principal pur-
pose being to discuss the c. I. o. policy
TO be followed in connection with
their summons for trial before the
Executive Council of the American
Federation OF Labor. Thus lar.
neither Lewis nor any other c. l. O..
oficial has disclosed whether he will
honor the council summons, although
sources close to LeV have indicated
that he will not.
The c. I. o. organizing drive in
the steel industry also is scheduled
for discussion at the Tuesday ses-
sion
Meanwhile. intermediates between
the C. /. o. and the council are fight
ing against the August deadline to
find q middle ground where the two
labor factions may meet without loss
OF prestige.
The council, for instance, has been
outSpoken in its insistence that the
C. I. o. be dissolved. To an equal
degree, the C. I. o. leadership has
been insistent that its pending drive
to organize the steel industry on in
dustrial lines shall not be blocked by
any forces either within or without
the labor movement Retreat from
either Of these positions would be q
blow to the prestige of William Green
in the former case and John L. Lewis
In the latter and to their associates.
1t would seem, therefore, that any
compromise must involve theo-
retical dissolution of the c. I, o. at
least, but also must leave no obstacle
in the way of the steel drive.
Compromise Considered.
1t is such a compromise that IS now
reported under consideration, having
been discussed at the important Tues
day night conference.
In brief, the plan, as reported. would
involve disbanding of the c. l. 0. in
return for united support of the Fed
Grafton in the steel organizing drive,
with such organization to be under
direction of Lewis and on industrial
lines. In addition, support would be
given for q similar drive in the auto
mobile and rubber industries, prelimi-
nary plans for these already having
been made by the c. /. o.
Most serious obstacle to such set
tle,nent is the bitter resistance of
certain A. F. of L. craft leaders against
any transgreSsion of their jurisdic-
tional lines by the industrial union or
ganizers. Leader in this fight Is John
P. Frey, president of the metal trades
department of the federation. whose
charges are now pending against the
C. I. o. and on which the August 3
trial is scheduled.
Plans for Lewis Drive.
The Lewis drive, in explanation, Is
to be built around the Amalgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers. In the event Of successful
organization efforts. many members
then would be added to the Ama1ga-
mated, who, on q craft basis. should
70 to some of the unions in Frey's
department.
Failure to adopt this or some other
compromise seems certain to promise
q sharp and decisive split in the labor
movement since sources close to Lewis
have indicated that he has no inten-
ton of standing trial before the
council Such development not
only would worry the administration
and imperil the steel drive but also
would seriously threaten organized
labor's strength In many respects.
Taking the leadership In seeking the
compromise are Edward r. McGrady,
Assistant Secretary of Labor; George
M. Harrison, president of the railway
clerks and an influential member OF
the Executive Council; Daniel w.
Tracey, president of the electrical
workers and q craft union leader; Rev.
Francis J. Haas, one time member Of
the old National Labor Board. Thus
far most Of their persuasion is being
directed at Lewis but II his approval
Of any settlement is gained their next
task would be TO placate some Of the
die-hard craft unionists.