Evening star., 1939-07-26
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

Outlining for itself field of &C
tivity SO broad as to cover every
construction project from sewers to
skyscrapers. the C. I. o. today called
upon all of its regional officials and
affiliated unions to lend every pos
sible resource to its initial organiz-
ing invasion of the building trades
field, major stronghold of the A.
F. L.
The call, contained in letter 60
ing out over the signature of John
l.. Lewis, c. I. o. president, followed
by only few hours his announce
ment of this boldest direct offensive
against the rival Federation since
organized labor split in 1885.
The drive will be amply
financed" c. I. o. spokesman said
today, although no details on this
matter were revealed. In addition,
the call upon regional officials and
affiliates for assistance comprehends
the donation of funds and organi-
rational activity of every variety.
Lewis Brother Named.
Further details of the manner in
which the organizing offensive is
to be pursued will be announced
early next week by the United Con-
struction Workers Organizing Com
mittee, created to do the job and
headed by A. D. Lewis, brother Of
the c. I. o. president and for many
years an active official in the United
Mine Workers.
Labor observers look upon the
contemplated effort as one likely to
bring more bitter and more intense
inter-union strife than has yet
marked the turbulent battles be-
tween the two wings of labor. APP
parently. 1t will mean sidetracking
indefinitely any hopes of the recon-
ciliation sought by President Roose-
velt between the labor factions.
In none of its previous major or
ganizing efforts has the C. l. o.
moved against A. r. of L. forces so
dominant in their territory. Organ
lzation OF steel, for instance, took
place without any competition from
the Federation, that in the automo-
bile industry was competitive only
IN a few highly specialized occupa-
tons. and textiles and rubber were
comparably uncontested. Probably
the closest approach to the direct
joining of issues forecast here has
been on the waterfront but even
there the two factions have taken
certain Jurisdictions to themselves
and kept pretty much within these
lines.
Preview in Northwest.
A preview of the kind of rivalry
likely to result from this latest
move has been given in the Pacific
Northwest, where c. 1. o. lumber
men and A. F. L. carpenters have
INDUCED in boycotts and every type
OF violent competition conceived.
Closely involved in the struggle
IS personal feeling between John
l.. Lewis and William L. Hutcheson
president of the Carpenters Broth
erhood, dominant union of the build
~AAo 1AoNSo oCPdl CIllCllG Ill LIE req
Grafton, dating back long before they
Wrestled and slugged each other to
the floor at the Atlantic City con-
ventlon of the A. F. L. in 1895.
1t is interesting to note further
that the other two major Fedora
ton unions in the building field are
headed by individuals who have
been foremost among the A. F. L.
policy-makers and have crossed on
other occasions with the C. 1. O.
The Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, headed by Dan Tracy, was
party to the celebrated contract
invalidation case in which the Ma
tional Labor Rela tions Board voided
Brotherhood contract with Con-
solidated Edison, to the advantage
OF the United Electrical Workers of
the c. I. o.
Harry c. Bates, president of the
(See LABOR, Page A-3.)