The voice of labor., 1940-02-15

the White House Press Bureau
permitted to go out the statement
in the newspapers today that ]
had made no answer 10 the Presi-
dents communication OF this sub
ject last October. As a matter OF
fact. ! wrote the President a let
ter from San Francisco. Califor-
mia. on Oct. is In answer to his
letter Of Oct. g.
I said. My dear Mr. President,
your esteemed letter was read TO
the delegates OF the second con-
stitutional convention OF the Con-
gress Of Industrial Organizations,
in one Of its formal sessions.
am authorized TO extend 10 you
the appreciation OF the delegates
for your expressions OF goodwill
and personal greeting. which. In
turn. they sincerely reciprocate.
With respect TO the question
Of a negotiated peace between the
Congress Of Industrial Organiza-
tions and the American Fedora
ton OF Labor. the convention
authorized continuance Of the
negotiating committee. and en-
powered II 10 exercise discretion
airy authority In any further con-
SiderationS Of the subject.
Certain Of the underlying fac
tors affecting the question OF fur
thcr peace conferences would ap-
pear 10 require additional clari-
'icatlon before such conferences
are resumed. Our committee does
not possess any information which
would lead to the belief that con-
ferences If resumed at this time
would be fruitful.
IN any event. our representa-
tlvcs Will be glad TO give continue
ing consideration to the questions
involved. and will at all times be
glad TO receive any specific infor-
nation which the Secretary Of
Labor may feel warranted in pre-
sentinR. With assurances Of re-
Spect. ! am sincerely yours"
FOR UNITY
That is the formal answer Of
The Congress to the President on
TINS subject and may ! say that
since that time the Secretary OF
Labor. the President Of the United
states have never indicated that
they possessed any information
mat would lead to the conclusion
that the conferences would be
fruitful. II they were reconvened.
While | have every desire to ne
gotiate. l have no desire 10 waste
my time or the time of others.
but II the American Federation
oi Labor and the President Of the
United States arc sincere in
wanting peace between these
great organizations Of labor Of
Ter here this afternoon a formula
that will result in immediate
peace and settlement OF the con-
troversy IN the house Of labor.
propose that on the fifteenth
day OF March. next. a special con-
vention OF the Congress OF Indus
trlal Organizations and special
convention o! the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor be assembled in
constitution Hall in Washington.
ID. c. one convention on each
side OF the aisle laughter That
the question to be voted on b.
that convention In the same day
snail DC resolved, that the Com
greSS OF Industrial Organiza ions
IN all units and all OF its member
snip this day become a part Of
the American Federation OF Labor
and that charters OF afrliaticr ',e
granted b. the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor to each uni, Of
the Congress OF Industrial Orgaii-
i2aiionS and that further. all uues.
tons OF detail. in the relationship
OF the two organizations hitherto
existing. shall be taken UP for later
consideration In such fashion as
the Joint convention may decide"
Tremendous applause
There is a plan TO end the labor
war and OF labor peace in Amer
lca on the afternoon OF March
10. The way to have peace is
TO have peace. One roll-call by
both organizations on that day
VIII eliminate the CONTROVERSY IN
the house OF labor And all ques-
tionS OF detail. Of overlapping jur-
lSdlctlon or points OF friction
hitherto engendered can be dis
posed of through machinery set
up within the United Federation
without the public being troubled
or the politicians driven to dis
traction and without any Amer
ican being incensed.
/ propose that in all sincerity
as away out and as an evidence
OF my own good faith. ] will as
sure Mr.. William Green that +
will not be candidate in that
convention for any Office in the
united organization.
There is a practical plan. In
all simplicity. with no sinister at
tachments, and an offer to elimi-