The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-04

president and Lewis.
 In his speech nationally broadcast over the Columbia network, Lewis made his first open bid for farm support. He did not ask for politi- cal backing by agriculture but de- fined an economic community of interests between agricultural and industrial labor.
 The C., I. O.. Is now unionizing sharecroppers, cannery and farm workers. Labor's non-partisan league, of which Lewis is chairman and which he considers C.IO. political arm," Is seeking to form alliances with farm political groups.
 AssaiIs Propaganda
 Lewis assailed propaganda" link ing the c. I. o. and communism. He said his trade union philosophy controverted communism.
 Fascisa organizations have been launched and financed under the shabby pretext that the C.1.o. move ment is communistic, Lewis said.
 Authorization, IS opposed to com munism, presupposes the relation of employment, it Is based upon the wage system and 1t recognizes fully and unreservedly the institution ot private property and the right to investment profit"
 Lewis pledged his C.I.O. toward peace with justice" He said he sought to avoid industrial disorder If possible.
 For the first time since the C.I.O. initiated a mammoth unionizing drive in June, 1886, Lewis made pun- lie membership figures, claiming 3.7i8,OOO. These contentious are contested by leaders of the rival, American Federation of Labor.
 Origin of Split
 Lewis began his declaration of policy with an analysis of the ori- gin of the movement which has split union solidarity.
 "The workers of the nation," he said, have organized a new labor movement, conceived within the principles of the national bill oi rights and committed to the propo- sition that the workers are free to assemble in their own forums. voice their own grievances, declare their own hopes and contract on ever terms with modern industry for the sale of their own material posses sion-their labor"
 Lewis said the 0. I. O's principal strength is concentrated in the great mass-production industries. organi- zation of which was its initial pur- pose. The c. I. O. comprises a2 na. tlonal and international unions of 5O7 local units.
 What He Accomplished
 Pointing to accomplishments. he said that s6 per cent Of the steel industry had signed union contracts with his steel workers organizing committee land a peaceful relation ship exists between management and the workers"
 Then he turned to the strike against four independent operators Republic, Bethlehem, Inland ard Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
 By Inference he included National Steel Corporation, which was nol involved in the walkOut but which has fought the 0. I. o. drive and if now subjected to national labor res lations board scrutiny for alleged violation of the Wagner Act.
 Whst Companies Say
 The companies, said Lewis, had snlled their plants with industrial spies. assembled depots of guns and gas bombs, established baTFicades controlled their communities with armed hiFelings. leased the police power Of cities and HsobiliGed the military power Of a state 10 guard them against the intrusion of c0l- ieetlye Bargaining within their own plants.
 During this strike ie steel work. CTS were either shot 10 death 0l had their brains elabbed ont by police or armed thugs in the pay ol the steel companies. In Chicago Mayor Kelly's police was successful in killing 20 etfikers before thes could escape the fury og the police ahootina of than in tht hack"