Evening star., 1938-09-13
GREEN SAYSC.L 0.
AID BEAT LEWIS
Predicts Greater Weight for
A.F: |. in Politics in
Talk to A. F. G.E.
BY J. A. FOX.
Star STAFF Correspondent.

Star Stan Correspondent.
CHICAGO, Sept l3-The defeat of
Representative Lewis in yesterdays
Maryland Democratic senatorial pri-
mary was traceable to his support by
the Committee for Industrial Organ
ization, it was declared today by Will
liam Green, president of the American
Federation of Labor. The A. F. of L.
also had backed Representative Lewis
against Senator Tydings.
Addressing the convention Of the
American Federation Of Government
Employees, President Green was ap-
plauded when he asserted:
THE Endorsement of the c. I. o. to
a candidate means his defeat. That is
what happened in Maryland yester-
day"
Earlier in his address. in which he
declared also the A. F. of l.. again
would fight any effort to replace the
Civil Service Commission with sin
gle administrator, as was contemplated
under the Presidents reorganization
plan. Mr.. Green had made remark
construed as bearing on the current
political situation. This was that
there are some developments that are
taking place from day to day that en-
courages me to believe that the voice
of labor. as expressed by the American
Federation of Labor, will carry greater
weight"
Renewed Fight Promised.
In promising renewed opposition to
any move TO do away with the Civil
Service Commission, Mr.. Green said
the A. F. of L. lis not opposed to
practical, constructive reorganization
measure, because we believe there is
need for improvements in the admin
istrative set-up of our Government"
He questioned. however, whether ANY
one believes that the civil service law
would be administered in the spirit of
civil service" if it was under the di-
rection of one man. politically appoint
ed under changing administrations.
Mr.. Green's comment on the polit-
jcal situation came in the course of a
lengthy attack on the c. I. O., in
which he pointed to the internal trou-
bles now stirring the organization,
and claimed the A. F. of L. not only
had regained the membership lost
when the unions supporting John L..
Lewis broke away, but had shown sub
stantial increase.
He urged the A. F. G. E to use every
effort to extend its membership.
After hearing Mr.. Green the A. F..
G.. E. convention was to begin con-
sideration of committee reports.
One brisk clash was forecast over
the renewal of efforts by group of
delegates leo by the New York con-
tingent to get through change to the
constitution under which vice presi-
dents woulu be elected by the votes of
their respective district representatives
rather than the convention as whole.
Third Defeat Predicted.
This same issue has risen for the
past two years. and on each occasion
IL.
nents were predicting the same fate
would overtake it again The Consti-
tuition Committee, it was said, opposed
the change by vote of 3D., and action
was coming on its report.
A proposal by Eastern lodges to COM
init the federation to a plan for low
cost blanket insurance for members
that would carry weekly sick and dis
ability benefits and death payments
also was due to be shelved, the Execu-
tive Council. which had the matter
under consideration. voting to give it
further study before making any
recommendations
Senator David I. Walsh, Democrat,
of Massachusetts,, an opponent of
President Roosevelt's reorganization
bill, which the federation also fought
Is to address the convention tomorrow
morning, and the session Is due to end
late tomorrow afternoon.