Evening star., 1936-02-05
AUTONOMY DENIED |
u. M. ". DISTRICTS
Roll Call Retains Rule for
National Officers, 3,148
to 1,134.
BY J. A. FOX.

BY ]. A. FOX.
The defeat Of autonomy advocates
in the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea was completed today.
The result Of the roll call which
took all day yesterday. was made
public, showing the vote was 3,l48 to
l,134 against granting self-govern-
ment to a number of districts whose
affairs now are administered by OH.
GERS appointed by the National Execu-
tive Board.
The result had been anticipated
because Of q previous showing on q
standing vote. and only q scattering
Of applause greeted 1t.
The decision came on q committee
report which proposed that the ques-
tion Of restoring autonomy be left to
national officers. There are II of 81
districts having officers who have been
sent in from the outside as a result of
internal difficulties Of one sort or
another. but the demand for auto
nomy came from only q small group.
Factioinal Differences Feared.
Opponents Of autonomy led by ma
tional officers say it would be fatal to
grant it at this time, as factional
differences would arise. The matter
is left in the hands of the national
officers, but they are empowered to
allow the districts to take over their
own affairs whenever they feel the
time Is ripe.
Meanwhile, it was reported today
that some craft union leaders on the
executive council of the American
Federation of Labor are in favor of
suspending the miners union because
OF their fight to promote the cause of
industrial unionism.
The miners already have voted to
allow their officers to withdraw the
mine workers from the federation
whenever they SEE fit.
The executive council of the fedora
tion, standing committed to the prin-
ciples Of craft unionism, meets in
May, but whether they have the power
to suspend the mine workers was
considered questionable. A union may
be expelled from the federation by
two-thirds vote Of delegates in con-
vention.
Government Workers Oppose Split.
The talk OF suspension was reported
to have followed the defiant attitude
Of the mine workers toward William
Green, president of the federation,
when he appeared before the conven-
ton Monday afternoon and defended
the executive councils action in order
ing the disarmament of the commit
tee for industrial organization. This
is headed By President John L Lewis
OF the miners, with whom are as
ISOLATED seven other international
presidents.
One Of these, David Dubinsky, presi-
dent Of the Ladies' Garment Workers,
sent a telegram to the miners yester-
day in which he said his group op-
posed any split in the labor move
ment. This conciliatory attitude also
was taken by Sidney Hillman, head of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
They stand firm for the principles of
industrial unionism, but believe it viii
be possible for their committee to go
ahead while remaining q part of the
federation.
Senator Nicely, Democrat, of West
Virginia, thousands of whose constit-
uents came from the coal fields, ad-
dressed the convention today, and
bitterly attacked the American Liberty
League and Alfred E. Smith, asserting
the former New York Governor had
come to Washington "to assassinate
the best political friend he ever had"
Next November their doom will De
written at the ballot box" Neely said
He was cheered.
Senator Minton, Democrat, of In
diana, one Of those instrumental in
obtaining enactment of the Guffey
coal act, also got a warm reception
as he spoke briefly.
Watches Are Given.
As tribute to the work of the ma
tional oficers-President Lewis, Vice
President Philip Murray, Secretary
Treasurer Thomas Kennedy-District
II Of Southern West Virginia today
presented them with watches. The
presentation was made by Van Bittner.
district president.
Representatives of the Peoples
Mandate to Governments were halted
yesterday afternoon for the second
time while circulating peace petitions
in the lobby Of Constitution Hall.
The delegation, composed Of Miss
Mabel Vernon, Mrs. Eleanor Fowler.
Miss Elizabeth S:radley and Miss Mary
Moss Wellborn was aided by Haywood
Broun, New York columnist, whom
they had pressed into service.
Broun had already withdrawn from
the scene when the management of
the hall called the circulation to the
attention of the miners officers and
reminded them their contract pro-
hibitea such activity. They called on
the group to desist.