Evening star., 1938-10-12
A. F. |. HOLDS UP
NEW DEAL REPORT
Attack on Socialism Trend
Recommitted-Criticism
Denied.
BACKGROUND

HeT LdOOT ACt ana personnel OF
N. L. r. B. r. F. C. also has been
under fire at Houston convention.
Meanwhile labor unity moue re-
mains in stdlemate.
BY the Associated Press.
HOUSTON. Tex, Oct. 12.-The
American Federation of Labor Con-
vention sent back to its Executive
Council for further study" today a
Resolutions Committee report attack
ing trends and tendencies in recent
Government legislation it labeled as
socialism"
The recommital vote was taken after
President William Green said some
phases Of the report were "a bit con-
fusing" and delegates on the floor OBJ
jected on the ground 1t might be
considered an attack on New Deal
policies.
Chairman Matthew Woll of the
Resolutions Committee did not object
to recomittal, but stoutly defended the
report as a reflection of the views of
the committee
This report" Mr. Woll said, is not
in any sense criticism of the admin
istration. On the contrary we find
much in the administration to praise"
Seeks to Arouse Thinking.
He also denied that he was try
ing to superimpose his own economic
views on the convention, and added
that the report was offered only to
arouse thinking" about problems OF
modern Government activities
The report asserted that in its in
fancy trade unionism decided its prin-
ciples should provide that it wanted
nothing from government which it
could obtain for itself by voluntary
collective action, and that the labor
movement must make its own policies
and control its own destinies"
AT this hour" the committee added,
I'VE are in danger of losing the benefit
of both of those principles"
Entertainments Assailed.
The tendency of today the report
added, lis for the State 70 take over
more and more the functions which we
believe belong to the labor movement
itself, in and through its organizations.
Already the State is seizing control of
our destiny through National Labor
Relations Board, which has and uses
the power to define the boundaries Of
our unions, to determine what shall be
their character and even when and
where there is or is not a strike in ef-
feet
The committee, specifically pointing
out that in its reference to the State"
it meant principally the Federal Gov
ernment said:
Without any intention Of using q
label as means of conveying dis
paragement, we must say that it should
be clear to every American that the
philosophy to every American that the
action. by which ever-increasing do
main is being given to the State, is ex-
pressive of the philosophy and practice
OF socialism"
Such convention speakers as A. F. of
L, President William Green, Chairman
Matthew Woll of the Resolutions Com.
mittee and John P. Frey, chief Of the
metal trades department, have con-
tended against direct Government in
tervention in labor relations and advo-
Gated more voluntary cooperation be-
tween employer and employe.
Revisions Quickly Indorsed.
The committee delivered most of its
report on resolutions and proposals
yesterday. It's recommendations for
revision of some sections of the wage
hour law and rejection of proposal
to reafiliate with labors Non-partisan
League were adopted quickly.
The question Of labor peace and the
C. I. o. was touched on only inferen-
TALLY. The convention approved
committee report sidetracking to the
Executive Council a proposal that the
General Garment Workers Federal
Union in San Francisco be authorized
to renew its organizing drive in COM
petition with the International Ladies
Garment Workers Union &C. l. o..
The l. l. G. w. U. still retains its
A. F. of L. charter, although 1t Is
on the suspended list. Informed
labor men said the Federation leader
ship, hopeful the garment workers
might leave the c. I. o. soon to re-
turn to the A. F. of L., decided to
defer indefinitely any rival organizing
drive.
Verbal Warfare RACES.
Outside of the formal convention
proceedings yesterday labor's civil
war ragged on in battle of words.
Mr.. Green issued statement term
ing as an empty gesture" and AN
attempted fraud and deception of the
public" proposal by c. I. o. Chair
man John L. Lewis that both resign
their posts of leadership to pave the
way for labor peace.
The A. F. of L. leader said he would
let the convention reply to Mr.. Lewis
proposal at the annual election Friday.
Mr.. Green will be candidate for his
18th consecutive term as president.
ITO any one familiar with the labor
situation" he said, lit Is obvious that
even if he resigr,sd as chairman of
the c. I. O., he w,uld still remain its
dictator behind the scenes, Because
he would remain as president and die
tator of the United Nine Workers Of
America. the union which is the
financial angel of the c. l. o. and
whose funds are being ", ntonly
wasted in a vain effort to keep the
c. I. o. alive.
Here Is man who has ruth.essly
vetoed every fair proposal to restore
peace in organized labor now
trying to mislead the public wits IN