Montana labor news., 1937-06-03

The following review and ultimatum written
by Francis J. Dillon was submitted to this paper
as a press release. We give it editorial space
as we feel the need of editorial comment.
Il Il y Il
Francis J. Dillon, veteran organizer for the
American Federation of Labor, has cheerfully
accepted the challenge flung at him by Gus
Scholle, newly appointed regional director of
the Committee for Industrial Organization.
Scholle in a story published in Toledo news
papers, indicated that John l.. Lewis, c. |. o..
president, elated at winning a succession OF
sit-down strikes in the auto, steel and textile
industries, had ordered invasion of every field
of labor in the Toledo district.
This declaration may have gone unnoticed
by a great majority of the public, but not by
Dillon. Today, in a well appointed office OF
the 18th floor of the Ohio building, plans were
being formulated to vigorously combat the C..
|. O. movement. Presided over by Dillon, re-
Gently appointed to the Toledo area, President
Green's personal representative was busy at
conferences where plans were being made to
protect the interests of the Federation.
Dillon is not unknown to Toledo. 1t will be
recalled that he was assigned to this city two
years ago by Green when a threatened strike
doomed in the automobile industry. Almost
single-handed he negotiated an agreement
with General Motors and by sheer force OF his
character together with his ability as a speaker,
prevailed upon $500 workers to accept it. He
is generally credited with having successfully
negotiated the first agreement ever to have
been signed between the A.. F. of L. and any
unit of the great automobile industry.
The fact that Dillon was assigned is inter
preted by many to indicate that the A. F. of l..
appreciates the challenge that has been levelled
at the prestige and influence of the Federation
in Toledo. With almost a quarter Of a century
service behind him, now at the age of fifty,
Dillon appears to understand thoroughly the
seriousness and difficulties associated with his
present post"
He also enclosed the following as an inter
view although this editor is not aware of just
who did the interviewing.
"The A. F. of L. is an institution symbolic OF
more than half a century of the hopes, suffer
ings, sacrifices and struggles of the American
men and women.
"Now it appears that it is to be made the
target of a vicious and malicious attack, in
spired by a man who owes everything he now
DOSDCDOCO w viz NAlS VI VIZ SbN
of people who compose this movement. With
a total disregard of the rights of others, Mr.
Lewis proposes to deliberately set in motion
forces designed to ruthlessly invade and de-
stroy, not only organization Of working mer
and women, but likewise sacred relationships
which have endured through many years be-
tween employers and employees.
II had ~fervently hoped that MIR. Lewis would
eventually come to appreciate his obligation;
as the honored president of a great information
al union which was born and nurtured at the
breast of the A. F. of L., under the Leadership
of the immortal John Mitchell.
mo man, especially one occupying so digni
fled a position, will ever be able to justify any
program which will incite poor working people
into bitter and destructive warfare between
themselves. To me this is repugnant and in
defensible.
"Mr. Lewis has apparently made his decision
and full responsibility must rest squarely upol
his shoulders.
"Since coming to Toledo and acting in m.
capacity as representative of the A. f. OF L.
have earnestly striven to prevent such a ter
rible calamity which now appears inevitable
have advocated in session and out OF session
to employers as well as workers, the philosoph,
OF peace and cooperation tOgether WIN d mu
tual respect for the rights of all.
81 am distressed because | have failed.
'In the face of open declaration of war, n
self-respecting man can be expected to evad
his full responsibility. l shall assume full leac
ership and now solemnly call upon all loys
members of the A. F.. Of L. to fight as neve
before to defend the principles of our gres
movement. No quarter will be asked and non
given. Those now in our ranks who are nc
agreeable to Fundamentally support our poll
cies will be expected to leave Immediately an