The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-05-11
No Revolt Against Amendments in

Mr.. LewiS's sixth question (aS re-
ported in the public press) was: what
accounts for the widespread revolt on
the part of many A. F. of l.. inter-
national unions, State federations, To-
cal labor bodies and of locals through
out the country against the proposed
amendments if not the instructive re-
alization on the part Of members of
the A. F. Of L. that the amendments
were not prepared in the interest of
the rank and file workers but rather
to serve the purpose of enemies Of la
bor?"
Replying to this sixth question, Mr..
Green said:
First, | wish to state there is no
revolt on the part of the international
Unions, State Federations, local labor
bodies and locals affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor.
whatever change may have taken
place among some few local organi
cations and groups is due entirely to
C. |. O. Misrepresentation and malic
ious propaganda such as is incorpor-
ated in this letter to which am max
ing reply.
81 repeat, instead of attacking the
amendments upon their merits the c..
| |. O. has engaged in malicious cam
paign of personal abuse, appeals to
passion and class prejudice and the
dissemination of falsehoods and un-
truths respecting not the merits of
the amendments but their preparation
and presentation to your Committee.
| c. l. o. Propaganda Assailed
| "The G.. l. 0. offers the best evil
dence, through vicious propaganda
and misrepresentation and prejudicial
suggestions, of their determination
and desire to hold fast and maintain
all the benefits and advantages which
have accrued to them through the
maladministration of the National La
Dor Relations Act by prejudiced
Board.
"They are fighting desperately
against giving up the advantages they
hold and which have been accorded
to them by a Board which evidently
has absorbed and accepted their pecu-
liar brand of trade-union and economic
philosophy
Labor Board Aids c. |. o.
"Why does the C. |. o. oppose
amendments to the National Labor Re-
ations Act? Why do they wish to
maintain it just as it is? Why do they
seek to continue the present NAL
administration of the Act?
"The answer is simple. They have
been the benefciaries. They seek to
maintain these benefits. They know
if the Act remains as it is and is ad-
ministered as it has been that the
cause Of the c.. |. o. will be greatly ad-
vanced and the position Of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor will be made
more difficult
"They do not wish for fair and
judicious administration of tine -Act
but instead they want proc. |. O..
biased administration in the interests
of the leaders Of the G. |. o."
In summarizing his answer to Mr.
Lewis's questions and the purpose OF
the A. +. of l.. amendments to the
National Labor Relations Act, Mr.
Green declared:
Amendments Voted by A. Il. L.
5 Convention
"ln conclusion may | state in sim
2 pie words, that these are not my per
sonal amendments. They are tn
amendments of the American FEEDER
, alton of Labor itself
"By the unanimous vote of the Con
f vention which is the supreme au
y thority within the American Fedora
tion of Labor, | was commissioner
to prepare and submit these amend
ments to the Congress of the Unite'
: States for enactment into law.
"The Convention, cautious and de
t termined to protect the Fundamental
principles of the National Labor Re
lations Act, which the American Fed
Grafton of Labor originally sponsored
4 submitted nine drafted forms whicl
these amendments were to follow il
= meaning and substance.
4 "This decision was arrived at afte
full, free and open discussion, whicl
e lasted a considerable length of time
1 by the delegates in attendance at thi
Convention.
t CAS- President of the American Fed
1 Grafton of Labor, | am discharginl
my duty in bringing these amend
= ments to Congress for favorable con
1 sideration and action.
"rhe preparation and submission o
= these amendments have been under m,
1 direct and official supervision at al
times.
"The need for these amendments
5 grew out of our experience with tn,
, government agency clothed with re
sponsibility to administer the Nation
l al Labor Relations Act.
1 Interests Of UnOrganizcd Labor
Served
"These amendments are in no wa,
designed to serve the special inter
: ests Of the membership Of the Amer
| lean Federation of Labor but for th
2 larger purpose Of serving the highes
= and best interests of the millions o
4 unorganized workers who are entitled
to exercise the rights Of self -determi
S nation i'm Joining free demOcrati i