Evening star., 1937-02-07

course, Is guesswork. Back In 1921
Lewis made a fight for the presi-
dency of the American Federation Of
Labor against Gompers. but lost, and,
after Gompers died in 1924, Lewis
backed Green. then secretary-treas-
urer of the miners. for the position.
and always thereafter put the latter
in nomination at the annual cleo
tions. Further. one aStute observer
believes that If Lewis had been so
minded he could have capitalized on
the split in the Building Trades Coun-
Gil in 1884, and perhaps lined up
enough votes to wrest the federation
presidency from Green.
There are others fully convinced
that Lewis right now has his eyes
on the White House. He told re-
cent interviewer that Is fantastic"
and emphasized he Is not in politics.
What the future might bring, however,
he was not prepared to say.
Lewis probably has enough on his
hands at present without adding poll
tics. Along with the automobile strike,
he soon will be after q new contract
in the bituminous fields to replace the
one expiring March 81. The miners
seek a 30-hour week without reduc-
ton in pay, instead of the 35 now
worked. any they don't expect to have
it handed to them on a silver platter.
Even his opposition within the ranks
Of workers Is divided in its feelings
toward Lewis. Some Of the leaders in
the American Federation of Labor are
convinced he is sprouting horns.
Others disagree vigorously with the
principles he espouses, but cherish a
warm regard for him personally.
This much seems certain. If Lewis
Is successful in lining up the millions
of workers in the mass production
industries, and wins from them the
same loyalty that the miners give
him, he must, indeed, be reckoned
with in any future appraisal of labor
relations over. the entire country, for
Lewis handles his own Just as a mas
ter chessman moves his pieces across
the board.
Examples of Tactics.
There we're two striking examples OF
his tactics at the onvention here.
The minority, cryin" for autonomy,
sought to force roll call to get every
body on record but fell far short OF
the necessary voting strength. Lewis
had pointed out tina the poll would
take a day that might we'll be spent
otherwise, particularly in view of the
certain outcome. SSill there were
murmurings from q few, so the bulky
mine president, over the protest OF
the majority, ordered the call to pro-
ceed, and for hours the secretary
droned names, to the conclusion that
had been foreseen.
Lewis wanted the dissenting bloc to
be entirely satisfied they were backing
losing cause.
Again, the convention voted to
raise Lewis salary from $4,000 to
$25, 900 and grant corresponding
boosts to the other general 0mcers'
A small minority protested that the
proposal had been steamrollered
through, SO Lewis over shouts OF
mo! MOL" rejected the preferred In
crease, as did the other leaders.
Self-educated, Lewis has acquired q
polished mastery Of the English
language. He speaks impressively and
always slowly, the pitch Of his voice
deviating only occasionally from its
booming cadence. q.
Married, with two children, he
makes his home In Alexandria and
has little time or regard for social
affairs. A daughter, Kathryn, Is her
fathers secretary. A son, John
Llewellyn, jr., Is in school.
Lewis has never affiliated with any
church. He can turn . phrase when
angry that would make mule skinner