Evening star., 1940-01-25
j. N. W. Convention
Gets 47 Resolutions
Backing Third Term
Lewis Control Over
Session Makes Adoption
Of Any Unlikely
BY the Associated Press,

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 25.-For-
ty-seven resolutions supporting
third term for President Roosevelt
were introduced today before the
United Mine Workers of America
Convention, providing an anomalous
aftermath to John L. Lewis split
with the New Deal
No immediate action was taken by
the 1000 delegates on the resolutions
from locals in Ohio, West Virginia,
Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Pennsylvania, Alabama, wyoming
and Maryland.
Several resolutions were offered
opposing use of U. M. w. funds for
political campaigns. Mr.. Lewis,
president of the U. M. w. and Con-
gress of Industrial Organizations,
put up about s500,000 for the 1886
Democratic campaign.
Lewis for President.
A hope that Mr.. Lewis "someday
would be President of the United
States was expressed in a resolution
from a Sharon, w. Va, group.
The delegates, taking up several
| hundred of 1900 resolutions sub
! mitted before the jubilee session
opened. adopted one opposing con-
tinuation of the Dies Committee.
1t suggested that the money be
turned over to the La Toilette Civil
Liberties Committee.
The Roosevelt third-term resolu-
tions contrasted sharply with Mr..
Lewis prediction yesterday that
campaign to re-elect the President
would result in "ignominious de-
, feat"
While there may be some warm
debate on these resolutions, there
was little likelihood of any being
adopted in view of Mr.. Lewis
stringent control over the conven-
ton.
Clamor for Autonomy.
This control was demonstrated
yesterday in the midst of clamor
by several U. M. w. districts for au-
tonomy. AS 20 delegates shouted for
recognition from the presiding off,
Ger, Mr.. Lewis strobe to the micro
phone and announced:
There is really nothing to debate
Every district will be given autonomy
when it has demonstrated that it
wants it and can support itself"
The delegates, representing more
than 100000 mine workers, then re-
affirmed a policy empowering the
International Executive Board to
decide whether a district should be
granted the privilege of self-govern-
ment.
Mr.. Lewis, celebrating later on
his blast at the Democratic ma
tional administration, which he ac-
cused of breaking faith with labor
and failing to solve major prob
lens such as unemployment and
increasing debt and taxation, said:
"I intended my statement this
morning to be distinct jar to pro-
fessional politicians in the Demo-
cratic party and the Republican
party. I intended it to serve notice
that labor was not to be taken for
granted"
Further Explanation.
Speaking before the Organized
Gas, Chemical and Coke Workers
District so of the U. M. W., Mr.
Lewis explained further:
The Democratic party had taken
for granted that labor would be
with them always. Any politician
says he is friend of labor when
he is campaigning because it is
politically expedient. In reverse
token, he ceases to be a friend OF
labor when 1t becomes politically ex-
pedient.'"
The debate over autonomy pro-
vided the warmest issue in the con-
vention so far.
Delegates from Illinois, Ohio and
West Virginia demanded autonomy
land nothing else" Under the pres
ent setup the U. M. w. Board selects
their principal district officers.
Mr.. Lewis retorted that the In
ternational Board found "a pretty
mess-intrigue and wrongdoing"-
when it took over District IL Gill;
nois) in 1890. and that It had to pay
off the debts of rascals."