Evening star., 1941-10-15
"A. F. |. Convention
Due 10 Act Today on
Racketeering Report
Union Votes Resolutions
Condemning Arnold
And Labor Bourd
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SEATTLE, Oct. 15.-The American
Federation of Labor was prepared to
act at its convention session today
on alleged racketeering and law
breaking within the A. F. L.
The Resolutions Committees re-
pudiation of racketeering was ready
for presentation to the convention.
after having been crowded out yes
terday by extended debate on other
subjects. Chairman Matthew Woll
said the committee report, based on
the Executive Councils criticism of
lawbreaking, was awaiting a place
on the calendar.
A second imminent action may
affect George, E. Browne, 18th A. F.
L. vice president and head of the
international Alliance of Theatrical
and Stage Employees. Mr.. Browne
is on trial in New York now on a
charge of extorting $550,0O0 from
four motion picture companies.
The general convention hall un-
derstanding was that Mr.. Browne
would be dropped from the list of
vice presidents at this afternoons
election.
The Executive Council report, the
framework for the committee reso-
luton, asserted that the council
"disavows and repudiates with all
the power at its command, lawless-
ness of any character, racketeering
in any form, and exploitation
wherever practiced. ."
The A. F. L. yesterday adopted
resolutions condemning the prac-
tices of the National Labor Rela-
tions Board and Assistant Attorney
General Thurman Arnold.
The Labor Board resolution called
for amendments to the Wagner Act
to take from the Labor Board large
share of its tremendous power"
from which the resolution contended
the A. F. L. has suffered ever since
the boards reorganization.
The criticism of Mr.. Arnold was
for his attempts to turn the anti
trust laws against labor unions.
Racial Discrimination Debated.
A resolution by colored delegates
asking appointment of permanent
committee to investigate charges Of
racial or creedal discrimination in
defense work or union membership
launched an unexpected two-hour
debate. The Resolutions Committee
recommendation substituting merely
a statement reaffirming the fedora
tons opposition to discrimination
was adopted. though there was a
loud chorus of mo" votes.
A. Philip Randolph, head Of the
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters,
took the floor to express his peoples
regret that the committee did not
take some more effective action
against the organizations within it
which practice discrimination"
He read a long list of reported
cases of Negroes being refused work
on Federal housing and other de-
fense jobs throughout the South, but
said "the most persistent, attributa-
bic to union influence, can be found
at the Boeing Aircraft Co., in Seat
tie" There, as at many other places,
including four iron works and ship
yards at Portland. Greg, he said,
employers declare themselves bound
to employ no Negroes. by provisions
Of their contracts with all-white
unions.
Randolph Gets Ovation.
He said President William Green
had asked him to rush to Detroit
during the Ford strike to help A. F.
L. organizing. Mr.. Randolph said
he would have been of little help,
as the colored workers there felt,
Why join the A F. L. when the
A. F. L. admits it is unable to do
anything about the discrimination
practices by some of its member
unions"
He was given an ovation at the
end of his half-hour speech.
Committee Secretary Frey, Chair
man Matthew Woll, William L.
Hutcheson, head of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and
JoinerS and, finally, President Green
himself, engaged in bitter ex-
changes with Mr.. Randolph.
Mr.. Frey and Mr. Hutcheson said
Mr.. Randolph should have come be-
fore the Federation expressing ap-
probation for what had been done
by the A. F. L. for colored workers
instead of reading what Mr.. Frey
asserted was IAN indictment" which,
he predicted, would find its way into
phamphlet form for distribution
among Negroes whom the A. F. L.
was trying to organize.
All argued that the resolution was
out of order because the A. F. L.
cannot discipline the autonomous
internationals which make up its
membership and cannot regulate
their membership or ritualistic re-
strictions.