Evening star., 1936-08-25
'A.E,G.E. OFFICIALS
ANSWER CRITICS;
|. RECALL MOVE HIT
Lodges Seeking custer
Dominated by Minority,
Statement Says.
VALIDITY OF MOVE
CHALLENGED BY FOUR
Department of Justice Unit Gets
Special Censure-"Misstate.
ments' Are Cited.

Four members Of the Executive
Council Of the American Federation
of Government Employees, whose re-
tall is sought by six lodges. today hit
back at the group which has charged
them with dictatorial administration.
For the most part, these lodges
subscribing to the recall proposal are
dominated by a very small minority
whose attitude and actions in the re-
spective lodges and other bodies OF
the federation are what the under
signed feel to be subversive and at
direct variance with the best interests
of Government employees and their
sworn obligation as employees OF the
United States Government to uphold
and support the Constitution" said
the statement. It was signed by Cecil
E. Custer, the national treasurer, and
three vice presidents-G. Carroll Di-
mond, Ira Y. Balm and Michael D.
Schaefer.
The council members also challenge
the validity Of the recall proceedings.
saying that mo statement Is con-
tanned in the joint recommendations
of these six lodges to the effect that
the proposal was concurred in by these
lodges at a regularly called meeting"
Justice Ledge Hit.
The statement points out for spe-
cial censure Department Of Justice
Lodge. No. 81, now under suspension
for picketing In protest at the dis
missal Of a small group Of employees
in the fingerprint division of the Bu-
reau Of Investigation, who have as
sailed the director. J. Edgar Hoover.
as opposed to unionism. and have
charged also that "sweatshop" condi-
tons prevail in the bureau.
Accusing this unit of misstatements,
the four members Of the council say
that this unjustiflable behavior
should be strongly condemned by the
constituent lodges Of the American
Federation Of Government Employees" +"
Meanwhile, Justice James NJ Proc
tor of District Court agreed yester-
day to hear arguments Monday on the
injunction suit fled by the Justice
Lodge to restrain the Executive Coun-
Gil from effectuating its suspension.
Move for Dismissal.
The date was set following motion
by the council to dismiss the proceed
ing. The motion emphasized the con-
tention that the suit Is premature,
since the suspension Is not final and
will not become 50 until 1t is brought
before the A. F. 6. e. convention in
Detroit next month.
The loodge had stated in its suit
that its suspension was voted without
giving it a chance to be heard, there
by violating the federation's consti-
tuition.
Upon the outcome of the battle for
preliminary Injunction depends the
right of the lodge to be represented at
the Detroit convention.
The council members. who ad-
dressed their communication to the
federation membership, also defend
the practice, which has been criti-
cized, Of issuing temporary certificates
of afiliation instead of permanent
charters, saying the best interests OF
the federation are served by requiring
newcomers to undergo a period OF
probation.
Take Fight to Convention.
The intention Of the accused coun-
Gil members to lay the whole issue
before the September convention In
Detroit is repeated.
1t has been said that custer OF the
six lodges will be sought. They are:
Agriculture. 81; Beltsville. 125; Labor.
IL; Resettlement, 2o6; Works Prog
ress, 139, and Labor, II.