Evening star., 1938-07-17
MARTINS AIDES
|. SEIZE 3 UNIONS
Let u. A. w. Work Out Its
Own Problems, Plea
to John L. Lewis.
Hg the Associated Press.

Cs tns hSSoCldleQ freSS.
DETROIT. July 16.-Lieutenants OF
Homer Martin in separate moves
today seized control of Wisconsin
local union that had rejected his
leadership of the c. I. o. United
Automobile Workers, and opposed any
Intervention by John L. Lewis in the
factional strife splitting the U. A. w.
membership.
U. A. w. headquarters here an
nounced My Martin had appointed
administrators for the Wisconsin unit
and other local unions unfriendly to
him at Muskegon, Mich, and Tarry-
town, N. Y.
MI. Lewis, chairman of the c. I. O.,
Is confronted with conflicting de-
mands from two U. A. w. groups of
local union presidents, each claiming
to represent a majority of the esti-
mated $4,000 members. A peace"
faction this week urged his interven-
tion to obtain reinstatement of five
suspended international officers: today
q Martin-allied group asked him to
let the U. A. w. work out its own
problems"
Convention Postponed.
Fear that the battle for control OF
The automobile union may cripple c.
I. Os political action already has led
to the indefinite postponement of a
Michigan convention of labor's non-
partisan league.
Mr.. Lewis this week sought to invite
Mr.. Martin to confer with him and
with the peace" committee in Wash
ington, but Mr. Martin, attending a
family reunion at Goreville. Ill, could
not be reached. Mr.. Martins allies
have contended any intervention by
MIR. Lewis would violate the autonomy
of the U. A. w.
The Wisconsin union taken over
by a Martin representative was the
Allis- Chalmers local at West Allis,
suburb of Milwaukee, which had
refused to recognize Mr. Martins sus-
pension OF George Adde's as secretary
treasurer of the international union,
and had declined to send its per
capita dues approximating $4,000 a
month to Mr. Martins appointee, Del
mond Garst.
Records and Cash Seized.
George Kiebler, head of the Mil
waukee U. A. w. District Council led
a group of men into the locals offices.
announced he had been appointed
by Mr.. Martin as administrator, and
carted away union records and
cash box reported to contain $500.
Police who were called said the re-
moval was carried out peacefully.
Frank Reid, president of the Dodge
Local No. 3 at Detroit, headed the
committee which today asked Mr..
Lewis for conference Wednesday. 1t
claimed to represent "a majority of
U. A. w. members" who want the sus-
pended officers to face trial July 25, |
and contended the officers would be
given "a fair trial and an honest |
verdict"
Wyndham Mortimer, one of four
vice presidents, termed the |
committee "a bunch of
generals without an army Another |
suspended officer Richard T. Frank |
ensteen. is a member of Mr.. Reid's |
local, which recently voted, in a meet
ing which Mr.. Reid claimed was lille
gally held, to support the Franken-
steen faction.
Step Is Welcomed.
R. j. Thomas, acting president of
the U. A. w. in Mr. Martins absence
from Detroit, welcomed the step taken
by the Reid group. He said the
peace" faction had misrepresented
the situation to Mr.. Lewis and charged
the Martin opponents had high
pressureo as many local leaders as
possible to put heat on John L. Lewis
to intervene"
Union headquarters said Mr.. Martin
named Lester Washburn, regional
U. A. w. director, to administer the
Norge local at Muskegon, Mich, and
Frank Trcci as administrator of his
home local in Tarrytown. Both Mr..
Washburn and Mr. Tucci are men,
bers OF the International Executive
Board.