Evening star., 1937-06-04

Seven local lodges constituting the
liberal wing Of the American Fed
Grafton of Government EMPLOYEES were
suspended today for fouting national
headquarters and promoting an inde-
pendent campaign against the Gov
eminent economy program under con-
sideration in Congress.
The units, comprising a total mem
bership of 1856. are. General Ac-
counting Office No 8. Labor -. Agr;-
culture 81, Interstate Commerce So,
Beltvilie l25, Works Progress l39 and
Resettlement POS
Inc suspension was invoked after
a poll of the Executive Council here
and in the field was said to have been
unanimous in agreeing TO the action.
Under ordinary circumstances il would
keep the lodges inactive until the an
nual convention passes on the case in
Philadelphia in September. However,
IN this instance a hearing by a spe-
clal committee has been called here
for June u, and if the lodges agree
10 repudlate the leaders in the rebel
lion 1t is intended 10 discipline these
only.
Mass Meeting Planned.
Inc seven lodges plan mass meet
ing at the Willard Thursday night at
which Senator McCarran. Democrat.
OF Nevada and Representative Allen.
Democrat, Of Pennsylvania will speak.
President William Green of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor also has been
invited to attend
IN announcing the suspensions to-
day Charles l. Stengle. national presi-
oent. issued statement defining the
position of the federation as follows:
The principal charge preferred
against these lodges is that. acting
through certain of their duly elected
ofilcers or delegates they have vio-
lated cease and deSist order issued
against the holding of public mass
meetings and other demonstrations
against alleged congressional action
on economy and publicatio in the
press Of criticisms of the Congress
and of the national Office in violation
OF Article XIII, sections and 4, of
the national constitution of the Amer
lcan Federation of Government En-
ployeS. At the time I issued the
cease and desist order I notified these
lodges that l would complain to the
National Executive Council about their
actions and offered to send to the
Executive Council. along with my
complaints any statements of justifi-
cation which they cared to make. Not
one statement has been received.
Prior to issuing the cease and desist
order l undertook to persuade the
representatives of all of these lodges
not to violate the constitution, but
they were so insstent in having their
own way that they issued to me an
ultimatum that they would carry out
their plans regardless of any action I
might take
Accord Is Doubted
Il do not believe that all Of the
members of these lodges are in ac-
cord with the actions of their Of
ficerS and or delegates. For that
reason those members who give as
surance and proof of their loyalty to
the American Federation of Govern
ment Employees and willingness to CO.
operate in its work will receive favor
able consideration from me with
recommendation that this suspension
in their case shall be lifted Under
our present Constitution the National
Executive Council is authorized to
suspend either individual members of
lodge. groups of lodge or the en-
tire lodge. Because of the emergency
situation attendant upon the present
action, the council has suspended the
entire lodge in order to let the public