Evening star., 1942-05-28
Murray Foes Press
For Action Criticizing
{. |. 0. Leadership
Failure to Halt Attacks
On District so Hit at
Mine Union Session

The family row in the United Mine
Workers Of America reached a new
pitch today. with foes of Philip
Murray, veteran vice president, who
heads the Congress of Industrial
Organizations, pressing for action
on resolution accusing the c. l. o.
leadership of sabotage" and "trea-
son to labor"
The resolution was presented to
the Mine Workers Policy Commit
tee yesterday by District so, the
organizing unit for dairy farmers,
coke, gas, chemical and cosmetic
workers.
ray, as c. I. o. president, refused
to take any action to prevent a
campaign of "abuse, insult, injury,
intimidation and slander" against
the organizing efforts of the unit
which was actively sponsored by
John L. Lewis, president of the
Mine Workers Other C. I. o. unions
have accused District so of raiding
their membership.
Mr.. Murray walked out of the
Policy Committee meeting when the
resolution was presented after de-
nouncing the declaration as AN
extraordinary procedure that did
not conform to the principles OF
common decency."
Wrong Place for Charges.
He said later that he told his
associates that the place to lodge
charges against him as c. I. O..
president or against any other C. L.
O. officers was before the C. I. O.
Executive Board, and he invited
such action when the board meets
next week
The Policy Conmittee can advise
the nature Of the action to be taken
on the resolution, and the decision
will rest then with the Executive
Board, whose members also are
here, awaiting a meeting with Ap-
palachian operators tomorrow to
work out a schedule under which
the miners will take cash instead
of vacations this year SO coal pro-
duction may not be interrupted.
ray yesterday, in protesting the
District so accusations and Defend
ing himself before leaving the meet
ing hall, engaged in an interchange
with Mr.. Lewis on the question of
Mr.. Murray's continuing in three
positions-vice president Of the
miners, president Of c. I. Q. and
president Of the United Steel
Workers.
Lewis Sees No Comparison.
Mr. Lewis, 1t was said, raised the
question. Mr.. Murray, without an
sWering directly, said the former had
set the precedent by holding three
positions, presumably referring to
the years in which Mr.. Lewis was
c.. I. o. chief and chairman of
labor's Non-Partisan League as well
as president of the miners. Mr..
Murray added however, that he be-
came the c. I. o. president unwill-
ingly, at Lewis behest, and that
Mr.. Lewis had installed him as
chairman of the Steel Workers Or
ganizing Committee.
Mr.. Lewis, IN reply, was under
stood to have said there was no
comparison because only one of the
three positions he had held was a
salaried position, namely, the miners
presidency. Mr.. Murray is holding
two salaried jobs, but has announced
he would not collect his $4,000 SAL
airy as vice president Of the U. M. w.
The Steel Workers made him presi-
dent last week at $40, 1000.
Mr.. Murray, announcing his in
tention to leave the hall to keep
other engagements, also said he did
not want TO provoke any disorder.
Mr.. Lewis asked if he wanted to
leave and Mr.. Murray replied he
had to leave because of conferences
he considered of paramount impor-
tance to American labor
Observers said Mr.. Lewis, who
yesterday called Mr.. Murray his
former friend" took Mr.. Murray's
hand and Mr.. Murray in exchange
clapped Mr.. Lewis on the shoulder
in a parting gesture.