Detroit evening times., 1942-05-20
Democrats
Aided by
Enion Secrecy
Huge, Gifts by CIO Held
Near Half Billion Mark
BY wESTBROOK PEGLER


WITH regard to Mrs. Roose-
w velt's recent rather evasive
remarks on the subject Of
compulsory, public financial ac-
counting by union politicians. it
Is important to consider that her
own political party has received
great contributions out of union
treasures whose members were
compelled to provide their indi-
vidual mites even though. as
individual citizens, they were
opposed to her party.
John l.. Lewis, as dictator of
the United Mine Workers and
the CIO, was the greatest con-
tributor.
The amount Of his donations
ard loans is not publicly known.
/ asked Jim Farley about this
and he consulted one of his old
associates in party politics and
passed on the information that
the Mine Workers contributed
directly and indirectly about
$3.50. 900. of which $4,000 was a
loan and was repaid.
Beyond this. however, refer
10 a recent letter 10 the Cincin-
natl Post by George r. Rice. the
regional director of the CIO
Construction Workers. which is
another union project of the
enterprising Lewis family. being
controlled by Johns brother,
Denny Lewis.
Mr.. Rice says John Lewis
gave them. outright, better
than S500.0OO."
He meant that Lewis gave an
outright present of half million
dollars to the Democratic Party
for the 1886 campaign.
4 IL we know, of course, and I
"A am sure Mrs. Roosevelt will
agree, is that large proportion
of the members of the CIO and
the mine workers are involun-
tary or captive members and
that in organizations so large
il is impossible TO have total
unanimity on any matter, even
If we childishly assume that a
dictator would consult the men,
as of course he wouldn't.
Thus. some OF the Lewis con-
tributions 10 Mrs. Roosevelt's
party were tribute paid involun-
tarily, and these contributors,
by reason of their compulsory
membership, were forced to
assist in the election of party
and ticket which were unaccept-
able or offensive 10 them.
That was a violation of very
important political right OF free
men.
In most unions. nevertheless.
a man is required to remain a
member or lose his livelihood
and there are rulings by agen-
cies of Mrs. Roosevelt's party
which add the force OF govern
ment compulsion to such union
rules. Even if his own money is
being spent to his political detri-
ment.
I would point out that fnan-
cial secrecy which Mrs. Roose-
welt upholds in unions which are
not well established" conceals
the figures not only from oppo-
nents of the unions but from the
members as well.
II should not be debatahle
that the members are. entitled
10 this information.
MRS. ROOSEVELT does not
WI face the question of COM
pulssry accountability in unions
which are firmly established, so
We do not know whether she adj
vocates secrecy in these cases,
too.
The nearest she will venture
10 a commitment on that point
is TO say that most OF the unions
/ know publish a report OF their
financial status 10 their men,
bcrs."
That statement is so vague as
10 be without meaning.
The AF'L and CIO now claim
and may have total of 10 mil
lion members and the present
fact is that they do not have TO
account TO any one for their
funds.
The union bosses realize that
Mrs. Roosevelt's party stoutly
defends their power over the coll
lective purse of their 10 million
subjects.
The advantage 10 the party OF
financial secrecy in union affairs
therefore needs only TO be
pointed out TO be understood as
threat of one-party government
which. wherever il has been
tried, has meant dictatorship and
rise of privileged class.
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