The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-02-21
LEWIS OFFERS LABOR PEACE MARCH
is, INVITES YOUTHS TO JOIN LNPL

1J1 UuIIEO IVO1I
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. peace
on the afternoon of March Is was
offered here by CLIO Pres. John L
Lewis.
Lewis offer, promptly rejected by
the AFL, was made during speech
to the American Youth Congress here
in which he severely criticized Pres
ident Roosevelt and extended an in
vitation to the congress to become
affiliated with Labor's Non-Partisan
League.
81 propose" Lewis said, that on the
18th day of March next a special con-
vention of the CLIO and a special con-
vention of the ALL be assembled in
Constitution Hall in Washington, D. G..
l-one convention on each said of the
aisle-and that the question to be
voted on by that convention on the
same day shall be:
Resolved, hat the CLIO and all of
its units and all of its membership
this day become part of the AFL
and that charters of affiliation be
granted by the ALL to each unit of
the CLIO and that further all questions
of detail in relationship of the two
organizations hitherto existing shall
be taken up for later consideration
in such fashion as the joint conyen-
| ton may decide"
There" Lewis declared, lis plan
to end the labor war and have labor
peace in America on the afternoon Of
March Is. The way to have peace is
to have peace"
Lewis further offered that "as an
evidence of my own good faith l will
assure Mr.. William Green (AFL presi-
dent) that | will not be candidate
in that convention for any office in
the united organization"
From Miami, Fla, where the execu-
tive council of the ALL was meeting,
Green replied that if Lewis had any
formula for peace he should reconvene
the peace negotiating committees and
submit the formula to them.
John P. Frey, president of the metal
trades department of the ALL, speak
ing for federation officials here,
charged that Lewis was "insincere"
in his peace offer and that he had
made it with his tongue in his |
cheek"
Lewis peace declaration was evoked |
by a statement from the president the |
previous day declaring that Lewis has |
informed him that resumption of peace
negotiations between the AFL and
CLIO at this time would be fruitless.
The presidents statement was made
upon the demand of Green that the
president reveal what Lewis had told
him during the course of recent dis
cussions on labor peace.
81 wonder" Lewis went on, "if Pres
ident Roosevelt, who is SO anxious to
give Mr.. Green my answer on the
other proposal will favor me equally
as well now by undertaking to get
Mr.. Green's answer to my proposal"
Regarding the resumption of peace
Lewis said, 81 have been
perfectly willing at any time if the
Secretary of Labor or Mr.. Green or
anyone else would give me informa-
ton to the effect that the position Of
The AFL would be any different if a
new conference were called"
Lewis invitation to the American
Youth Congress to affiliate with La
)ors Non-Partisan League was made
lfter the CLIO chief referred scornfully
o lecture delivered congress dele /
rates earlier in the day by the presi- ,
lent.
81 do not know" Lewis said, what :
he future of the American Youth Con-
,ress may be or what resolutions it :
nay adopt | wish, however, to give I
ou this message, and l give it to
ou as chairman of Labor's national
League, not identified t
With either the democratic or the v
epublican party but standing always b
Or the rights and principles of free n
.merica, for the support of it's meri-
orious institutions, for the preserva- 8
on of the flag, and for the protection "
f the homeland, and for a job and a
ivil liberties.
while other people may be con-
you, and the republican party "A
aging it doesn't want to associate u
18th you, and the democratic party q
trough it's titular spokesman saying u
3 doubts that you know what you p'
e talking about, as chairman OF La "