Evening star., 1942-10-08
Mine Workers Praise
MurraY's Successor;
Union Leaves Clio
Political Administration
OF Bituminous Coal Act
Charged at Convention
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press, ~
CINCINNATI, Oct. 8.-The United
Mine Workers of America conven-
ton, on the heels of its with
drawal from the Congress of Indus
trial Organizations, took another
slap today at Philip Murray, John
l.. Lewis successor as CIO president.
The delegates voted almost unan-
imously yesterday to withdraw from
the CIO after Mr.. Lewis told them
to; decide between him and Mr.. Muir
rays organization.
Today, the convention approved
the executive boards action of few
months ago in removing Mr. Murray
as UNIV vice president in adopting
a5report which said, Your commit
tee believes that John OLeary new
UNIV vice president) will contribute
more to the we'll being of the men,
bership Of our union and will be of
more assistance to the international
union than any one who has filled
this office for decades of time" Mr..
Murray had held the post % years.
Coal Administration Hit.
The convention also condemned
administration of the Bituminous
Coal Act and adopted a report say
Ing that the bituminous coal di-
vision has apparently been admin
istered from a political rather than
a practical viewpoint, resulting in
chaos in the industry, misunder-
standing by the public as we'll as
unemployment and inconvenience to
thousands of members of the
UNIV 1t also expressed opposition
to the st. Lawrence seaway power
project.
Yesterdays action was another
victory in Mr.. Lewis 22-year DOM
tnation of the miners union.
I In 56-minute speech climaxing
debate on the CIO issue, Mr.. Lewis
turned opponents into cheering
supporters and at the same time
squelched reports that he might step
down from the UNIV presidency.
He didn't say he might quit. He
declared: IF you do not adopt this
report recommending withdrawaD, !,
then you do not want man like me
as your president. You want man
With more rabbit in him than I've
got"
Murray Refuses Comment.
He asserted there was no use to
talk of unity between the UNIV and
the CIO because there can be no
unity unless your adversary wants
IT," He added that the CIO rejected
peace talk offers last winter. Philip
Murray, now CIO president, who was
ousted last May as UNIV vice presi-
dent, refused to comment in Pitts
burgh last night.
- CAT the American Federation
Of Labor convention in Toronto,
President William Green said he
( did not regard the UNIV action
as having ANY effect on the
peace negotiations of the AFL
and the CIO" scheduled for next
month.
& CHe expressed surprise that
both Mr.. Murray and emissaries
of Mr.. Lewis had been reported
IN Toronto and denied that AFL
leaders planned to meet with
fselther. Delegates Speculated that
the UNIV might be planning to
return to the AFL)
Mr.. Lewis founded the CIO and
headed it for seven years. He VOL
unfairly relinquished the post after
unsuccessfully backing Wendell
Willkie against President Roosevelt
In the 1910 campaign. His resigna-
tion made good a campaign promise
that he would quit if Mr. Willkie
was not elected. His differences with
the CIO grew steadily and were cli-
NAKED last May when the UNIV
sought to collect 81 $50 900 in funds
used to organize the CIO. The con-
gress claimed this was gift and
the breach widened
way Open for Peace"
Referring to an opposition speak
er's remark that withdrawal would
cause labor war, Mr.. Lewis declared ::
The house of labor is already
at war and the organizers of your
enemy are invading your local
unions. How much will you take?
Declaring that he had no per
sonal ax>to grind" and no wish for
public office, Mr.. Lewis said the
way was left open for peace be-
tween the UNIV, the CIO and the
American Federation of Labor If
the latter two wanted it.
II think I have helped raise the
standard Of living of millions of
Americans and have added billions
OF dollars to the income of millions"
Mr.. Lewis said in closing.
IF you don't have pride and re-
spect for our officers, then don t
expect any one else to have.
Don't expect me to carry out any
rabbit policy. because on my word
Of honor there's no rabbit in me-
The ensuing demonstration ended
under cries for vote. Quickly those
favoring the break arose shouting.
About a dozen delegates later arose