Evening star., 1940-11-18
G.. |. O.
Continued From First Page)


of diSsenSion was directed at the
breach between the powerful Anal
gamated Clothing Workers, headed
by Sidney Hillman, and the parent
c. I. o. was evident when a moment
later Mr.. Lewis called on rival
factions in New York-on an Anal
gamated group-to END their
damnable bickering.'
Must Have Unity to Endure.
Mr.. Lewis told the convention
that the c. I. o. had made some
gains in the past year, but not
what We should have
I'VE need more unified leadership
and more support of that leadership
by the men and women of this
organization, he emphasized.
These are the things that the
delegates must take under con-
sideration if the c. I. O. is to en-
dure." said Mr.. Lewis, slowly and
grimly.
Peace Plea RumOred.
As the convention opened here
there was report that iGen-
ticaI letters from President Roosevelt
would be transmitted to the c. l. O.
and the A. F. L., urging that the
labor breach be healed. but officials,
including Mr.. Lewis, professed to be
without knowledge that move OF
that nature was in prospect.
In his annual report today, Mr
Lewis said that he had repeatedly
offered a peace proposal TO the A.
F. L. TO which no valid objection
has ever been offered" but that it
had been countered only by "illusorY
and hypocritical proposals" There
is nothing yet to indicate, he told
the convention, that resumption
of the peace conferences which were
broken off months ago, would be
fruitful"
Another Harmony Move.
There was a new move TO har-
monize the differences on policy be-
tween the Amalgamated and the
parent c. I. O.. which are threaten
ing to stir up trouble on the conven-
ton floor. when Mr.. Hillman met
with Mr.. Lewis and MI MURRAY.
AS was the case two GAYS ago, how
ever. the meeting was reported 10 be
non-productive. although some
leaders said steam had been let off
that might have exploded on the
convention floor.
Mr.. Hillman. who contemplates
retiring as a c. l. O. vice presl-
dent because he cant give it
the time" said fatty there was
nothing 10 reports that the Anal
gamated might go back to the
A. F. L.
He said, however, that whether
or not Mr. Lewis carried out his
announced intention of leaving the
presidency, Amalgamated would
press for adoption OF group OF
resolutions presumably aimed at
certain Lewis supporters, including
one that would ban Communist
sympathizers as paid officers of the
organization
War Economy Cited.
A warning against the dangers OF
a war economy" and a blast at the
present makeup of the National
Defense Commission which was
caustically described as 'one lonely
representative Of labor to 100 mil
lionaires" high lighted the annual
report of Mr. Lewis.
In dealing at length with condi-
tions growing out of the vast arma-
mentS program. Mr. Lewis told the
convention that 1T is clear that
the Nation has shifted to a war
economy. administered by the rep
resentatives Of corporate industry
and finance and the American peo-
pie are faced with all the hazards
that arise therefrom."
Wants Wages Raised.
The Government should consider
the fact that at the present time
substantial margin profits are al
lowed to firms that receive Govern
ment contracts and our economy al
present is characterized by in
adequate purchasing power among
IllC WOl hCl II 10 consequence Al
the public interest that wages OF
workers be increased and that hours
be reduced to give employment to all
employable persons in defense in
dustrieS, and that the guarantees tC
labor under Federal legislation be
enforced effectively rather than re-
ceive mere lip service
The report estimated that about
100000 workmen would be removed
from the ranks of the idle next year
as the result of the production set
up. but declared this still would leave
some 100000 or 100000 unem-
ployed on the basis of present fig
ures. To aid in taking up this slack
it was argued that there are there
fore, sound grounds for the G. l. O
to continue to urge the provision
of a minimum of 100000 jobs or
public work for those who are able
and willing to work
Coupled with the call for more
adequate labor representation on
the National Defense Commission
was sharp criticism of the Govern
ment for ignoring the demand of the
CT. o. that defense contracts be
denied to labor law violators.
Bitterly attacking j. Edgar Hoover
head of the Federal Bureau OF In
vestIpation. the report asserted that
"one of the most serious threats to
ri,;1 1ih.r+ies is represented by the