The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-12-17
LEWIS TELLS
PLAN TO WIDEN
LABOR LEAGUE
Proposes National Drive
To Aid Unemployed
BY THEODORE HUNTLEY

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monte security for the unem
ployed, looking forward to the
possibility of political action In
Il94O through the Democratic
party or possibly q third party,
was announced today by John l.
Lewis, CLIO chieftain and chair
man Of Labor's Nonpartisan
League.
It was announced that as OF
January /, 1899, the membership
of the league will be broadened to
t"include and accept all workers
by hand or brain" and that any
american approving its tenetS will
be welcomed.
Mr.. Lewis disclosed his plan ct
q press conference in United Mine
Workers headquarters In the old
University Club Building.
UNITY ESSENTIAL
"It Is essential" he declared,
that all the liberal and pro-
greSsive forces of the country
unite to maintain and extend
the economic and political gains
of recent years for the preserva-
ton Of democracy"
In announcing the leagues
plan to extend its membership
through . drive for recruits in all
States, congressional districts,
counties, municipalities and down
to the precincts. the CLIO head
said that as q elimination Of the
drive a national convention will
be held next summer to arrange
for the selection Of sympathetic
delegates to the Democratic Ma
tional Convention in 1910.
The convention also viii draft
q platform and authorize league
units to support or oppose candi-
dates for Congress and other pub
lie offices. It was said the league
will be financed by popular sub
Scription.
UP TO DEMOCRATS
Mr.. Lewis said no effort to or.
ganize a third party would be
made up to the time Of the Demo
cratic convention, but that men,
berS of the league would work
within the framework Of the
Democratic marty.
BY inference, rather than direct
statement, he left the impression
that if the Democrats should fail
to nominate 9 candidate for
President and adopt q platform
acceptable to the league, q third
party may be launched. 80
Mr.. Lewis himself has fire.
quently been mentioned as q pos
Sible candidate for President
either on the Democratic ticket or
"a third party ticket.
Asked what he thought Of the
idea of a third term for President
Roosevelt, he said: ...
That question would have to
be considered by the Non
partisan League convention in
1882"
TELLS PLATFORM
A tentative league platform was
projected by its chairman in an
outline Of principles to which he
said the organization will dedicate
itself. The high lights:
l. Employment for every
worker, necessary ito the preser-
walton Of liberties Americans
cherish" Increased national
income was named Is another
objective.
2. Economic security for those
who cannot find work.
3. Promotion Of public health
and industrial hygiene to make
competent medical care avail
able to all workers.
4. Development of Govern
mental policies calculated to
utilize to the full the country's
productive capacity in industry
and agriculture and consume
the present SURPRISES.
FOREIGN POLICY
5. Adoption of a foreign policy
aimed at Intelligent tejuvena-
ton of our maladjuSted and
Stagnated national economy"
8. A balanced budget only
when the nation "goeS to work."
with lower taxation as q natural
concomitant.
Z. Preservation Of gains made
by labor in the form Of Con.
gresSional and State enactmentS
Of recent years.