Evening star., 1937-12-22
LABOR'S WARFARE
BEGINS NEW PHASE
Pariey Ends With iIl-Feeling
Intensified-SpIit Due
to Continue.
Ry John C. HENRY.

BY JOHN c. HENRY.
iAbor's warfare headed into a new
phasa of reprisals and recriminations
today as both the Committee for In.
dustrial Organization and the Amer
lean Federation of Labor prepared tc
intensity their struggles for domina-
ton in the face of yesterdays failure
to effect a reconciliation.
Breaking up in obvious anger, but
with apparent unanimity on both
sides as to the position taken by the
opposing committees, the peace nego-
tiators left very little possibility of
any further meetings. Seemingly, the
American labor movement of more
than 100000 organized workers will
remain split indefinitely.
Only the slim prospect of admin
Etratlon pressure, or an unexpected
internal crumbling of one or the other
OF the two factions, remain as factors
which might force resumption OF
efforts.
Discussed at Cabinet Meeting.
frequently embarrassed by the labor
strife, the administration never has
taken a position in support of either
group and has made no outward ef-
tort to bring them together. 1t is
known, however, that the matter was
discussed at last weeks cabinet meet
Ing and some development may result
Possibilities of internal dissension
In both the labor wings are not too
remote. In the C. l. O., it has long
peen understood that the International
Ladies Garment Workers are fret
ting at continuance of the split and
Its financial burden on established
unions such as theirs. On the other
side. several State and city central
labor groups have declined to follow
orders from A. F. of L. Headquarters
TO dlsassociate themselves from La
oors Non-Partisan League, close ally
OF the c. l. O., or to purge themselves
OF the c. I. o. sympathizers.
AS its next step, according to Philip
Murray, chairman of the C. 1. o. Ne
gotiatlng Committee, "the G. I. o. will
now consolidate its unions and con-
slider calling national convention as
provided for at our Atlantic CITY
meeting. We will also promote the
establishment of industrial union
councils in cities and States through
out the Nation"
Green Outlines Program,
At the same time, William Green
president of the Federation, announced
his group would go its own way in
pressing for legislative program, par
rcularly a wage and hour law, with
the added implication that increased
vlgor will be thrown into the C. 1. O
fight on all fronts.
Yesterdays conference, climaxine
two months of effort foundered on the
issue Of whether the entire C. I. O
membership should be admitted tc
the Federation at once under in
dustrial charters or whether it should
be taken in piecemeal after extended
negotiations in seperate industries
The Lewis group had insisted through
out, and their position was affirmed
by a surprise meeting yesterday of
representatives of all their 80 affil-
lated unions, that equal treatment be
given all those entering the FEEDER.
alton.
Actually. the issue is one of con-
troll of the Federation since the
c. I. o. membership now exceeds that
OF the older group and immediate
merger of the two would transfer
majority voting control to the G. I. O.
leaders.
Statements Issued.
Both negotiating chairmen issued
statements last night, each blaming
the other faction for failure of the
conferences.
''The acceptance of the c. I. O..
proposal" George M Harrison, A. F..
OF L. chairman said, would have
been not only an act of treason to
those organizations which have al
ways been loyal to the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, but would have
established the principle of dualism
within the Federation itself.
Acceptance of the c. I. o. pro-
posal would not have terminated, but
would have enlarged the conflict now
raging and would have transferred the
war within the Federation itself. In
addition, acceptance of the C. I. o.
proposal would hereafter have sub
Jected every organization in the Amer
ican Federation of Labor to constant
attack within as well as without the
fold. There would not and could not
be any public good in a settlement of
that nature. In addition to the con-
f1ict within the ranks of labor, en-
ployers everywhere would be caught
between conflicting unions and con-
f1icting forces, although both would
be chartered and recognized by the
American Federation of Labor"
Statement of Murray.
Mr.. Murray, at the same time, de-
elared:
I'VE have offered the A. F. of L.
our entire membership. They have
refused our offer. The onus for the
deadlock must be placed on the repre-
se1tatives of the A. F. of L.
When they can make an offer to
protect the interests of labor and to
promote genuine labor unity, we will
be pleased to sit down with them
again and go into the matter.
In the meantime, the conferences
are adjourned sine die"