Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-28
JAW Ak Falls
On Organizers;
DeverdII Fired
By JACK CRELLIN
ne,ruit Times Labor Editor

Detroit Times Labor Editor
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. ia
wholesale shakeup Of the staff of
the international union was
effected today by the UAW.ClO
executive board as IL fired DO
organizers and removed from
office Richard l. @. Deverall,
director of the educational de-
psrtment.
Deveralrs removal was by unan-
inous vote of the board. although
r. J. Thomas, president who
originally appointed him, took no
part in the vote.
A statement issued by the board
charged that Deverall had failed
10 carry out the educational
policies and programs OF the inter-
national union.
UNFOUNDED CHARGES
Deverall,s opponents had ac-
cused the Villanova University
professor OF being pro- Fascist.
However. in firing him the board
exonerated Deverall of the pro-
Fascist charges by stating that
the accusations made against
him had been investigated and
dismissed as "unfounded."
DeVerall, who for three days
had been waiting outside the
meeting room 10 present his side
of the case when il came up, was
not present at the time Of the
boards action, having gone 10
Washington on a housing matter.
Thomas said that the work of
the educational department would
be handled by James Wishart. re-
search director, who was reap
pointed yesterday.
Thomas refused to make pub
lie statement on Deveralrs dis
missal, although in his annual
report to the convention he CON-
plimented Deverall for the work
he had done in putting the de-
pertinent far out in front in its
field.
MOVE FOR ECONOMY
The slash in the organizing
staff, cutting the number of or
ganizers from 302 TO 233. was
prompted by motives OF efficiency
and economy, Thomas said.
George F. A d des, secretary
treasurer, estimated that the re-
duction in the staff would mean
an annual saving TO the union OF
op,nraxir,, felv C200 000
Pointing out that heretofore the
large organizing staff was neces-
sary TO organize completely plants
such as General Motors, Ford and
Chrysler, Thomas said:
"The UAW-CIO Is today on a
firm footing, with 300 plants or
companies, employing I'm the
neighborhood OF 100000 work.
ers, under contract. We have y
paid up membership, year
around, of well over 100000.
1.-THE reduction Of our organ
izing staff will not, however,
mean any slackening Of serv-
Ice TO our membership. It has
now become possible to service
our local unions with n smaller
staff. 1t will make for efficiency
because we have continued the
services of our most aggressive
organizers, who Will be expected
20 assume q heavier load OF
work than ever before
FEWER EMPLOYEES
The board also reduced the
number of international office en-
ployes from 81 TO 81.
Names Of persons dismissed
were not announced.
Edward Levinson, publicity d.
rector. was reappointed yesterday
by unanimous vote Of the board. as
was Mel West, recreational direc-
tor.
Thomas is expected to leave
here tonight TO attend the national
Ford conference Sunday in the
Fort Shelby Hotel, Detroit, to APP
prove, with the exception of eco
nomic demands, the contract
agreed upon with the Ford Motor
Company.
Executive officers were still
awaiting an answer TO their appeal
10 President Roosevelt for a meet
ing TO discuss the unions decision
TO rescind its agreement giving UP
premium pay for Saturdays, Sun
days and holiday work for the du.
...sN~ ~ tho xnyar