Evening star., 1939-03-08
Labor
Continued From First Page.)

Il
the A. F. L. committee give inteln-
gent analysis to our unity proposal
of yesterday rather than continually
attacking our motives
The c. I. O. suggestion, calling for
uniflcation of all labor in a new
organization, had been rejected
curtly by the Federation last night.
Despite this abrupt disapproval of
the initial proposal before the con-
ference, Acting Chairman Bates of
the Federation Committee declared
his group is participating in the con-
ferences with "an earnest desire for
an honorable settlement of this con-
troversy."
Announcing today's decision, Mr..
Bates said:
The conference made a prelimi-
nary canvass of its problems and
met briefly with the Secretary of
Labor.
The conference agreed to recess
and meet in New York City at
pm. Friday, March 10, at which
time it will consider proposals made
yesterday by the C. I. O. or any
other suggestions that might be laid
before it."
The place of the New York nego-
tiations will be announced later, Mr.
Bates added.
Secretary Perkins declined COM
ment on the c. I. o. proposal after
meeting the conferees today, but
admitted I'VE were all surprised"
Tobin Joins Negotiators.
The A. F. of L. committee was
augmented this morning by the ar
rival of Daniel j. Tobin, president
of the Teamsters' Union, largest in
the federation. Mr.. Tobin, already
on record as desiring to end the
breach in labor, shook hands in
cordial greeting with all members of
the c. 1. o. Negotiating Committee.
John Steelman, director of the
United States Cancellation Service,
ushered both committees into the
conference room, but did not remain
when the doors were closed. Miss
Perkins had said yesterday that the
Labor Department expected to take
no further part in the negotiations.
Mr.. Lewis and his C.. I. O. nego-
tiators, Sidney Hillman and Philip
Murray, have arranged to leave this
afternoon for New York, where Mr..
Lewis and Mr.. Murray will meet
the United Mine Workers Policy
Committee tomorrow in connection
with soft coal wage conferences.
Unification Proposed.
The c. I. O.'s sweeping proposal of
yesterday called for unidcation of
all American Labor, including the
hitherto independent railroad broth
erhoods, in a single new organiza-
ton.
Spokesman for the big four" rail-
road unions took no immediate stand
in opposition to the proposal, most
of them reserving comment. A. F..
Whitney, president of the traipmen,
remarked that he didn't like the
term "one big union,' but thought
he could go along" with a co-opera-
tive labor program.
From j. G. Luhrsen, executive Sec
retary-treaSurer of the Railway
Labor Executives Association, came
the opinion that I'VE should let well
enough alone"
C. /. o. Submits Plan,
Submitted during a meeting at
the White House with Mr.. Roosevelt
and Secretary Perkins, the C. I. o.
plan in brief was as follows:
That the c. I. o. and the A. F.. OF
L. should hold special conventions
between April Is and April 80 to
pass on this general proposition.
That delegates from these two
groups and the. independent rail-
road unions should meet in D. A. r,
Hall, this city, before June l to
organize the American Congress of
Labor which would embrace the
membership of all groups repre-
Sented.
That the new body be directed by
a president chosen from the railroad
labor membership and an executive
body containing proportionate rep
resentation from the present fac
tions
That the Labor Department CO.
operate closely in settling juris-
dictional disputes and that President
Roosevelt himself preside over in
itial meetings of the merged forces,
That neither Mr.. Lewis, president
of the c. I. O., nor William Green,
head of the A. F. of L., be eligible
for office in the new body, and
that Mr.. Green and Frank Morri-
son, secretary of the Federation,
be retired at their present salaries
for life.
Statement by A. F. of L.
Making no comment as they left
the audience with Mr.. Roosevelt
and Miss Perkins. the A. F. of L,
negotiators returned to Federation
headquarters, from which they is
sued later in the afternoon the fol-
lowing bluntly brief statement:
I'VE regret exceedingly that the
committee representing the Con-
gress of Industrial Organizations
saw fit to place the President of
the United States in an embarrass-
ing position by using the White
House as a sounding board for its
proposal.
ANY one familiar with present
day labor difficulties will realize that