Evening star., 1942-06-04
REPRESENTATIVES OF So
UNIV Locals Seek
Clio AffiIiation
International Bourd
Member Resigns in
Brock With Lewis

Industrial Organizations and the
United Mine Workers was due for
further airing today when repre-
sentatives of some so locals of Dis
trict so, UNIV, prepared to go be-
fore the Executive Board of the
CIO to ask for direct afflliation
which would make them independ-
ent of the district, which takes in
miscellaneous workers.
These locals have sided with
Philip Murray, CIO president, in
his break with John L. Lewis, presi-
dent of the miners, and Martin
Wagner, UNIV International Board
member from District so, has re-
signed.
They are said to represent $4,000
workmen.
Mr.. Wagner broke with the UNIV
leadership last night, declaring in
a letter to Mr.. Lewis that ''the work.
ing men and women whom I have
been privileged to represent on the
board can no longer endure the
'dictatorial suppression of all demo-
cratic rights"
Opposes Policies of Leadership.
He added that he and his con-
stituents could no longer support
the policies Of the UNIV leader
ship in attacking the CIO, its presi-
dent, Philip Murray, and granting
only lip service to the President of
the United States"
Earlier in the day, in addressing
the board at the National Press
Club. Mr.. Murray declared that Mr..
L0wis seems hell-bent on the crea-
ton of national confusion and ma
tional discomfort" The board
promptly backed him up with a
resolution calling Mr.. Lewis policies
"a grave danger to the security of
our Nation and to the future of the
workers in the entire world"
Mr.. Murray's address to the board
and the CIO directors and staff, and
the boards resolution, carefully dis
tinguished between the UNIV lead
ership and the membership. Mr..
Murray said his removal from the
unions vice presidency without trial
last week after az years in that office
would not destroy his fondness for
the rank and file of that organiza-
ton.
Mr.. Murray declared Mr.. Lewis,
through Labor's bipartisan
League. conducted a vigorous lobby
against repeal of the Neutrality Act
and against the arming of merchant
ships, contrary to the announced
policy of the CIO leadership He
accused the mine union president,
too, of conducting private negotia-
tons with an AFT leader for merger
of the two labor organiza tions, and
Of offering to turn over the CIO
United Construction Workers to the
AFL building trades.
Lewis Explains Attitude.
Earlier in the day Mr.. Lewis told
his Policy Committee at a separate
meeting that criticisms Of his stand
on foreign policy were mot based
upon the truth"
Mr.. Lewis acknowledged that he
had urged non-participation in for
eign wars, but declared he had dis
carded this policy when it was evi-
dent that the Nation was to be
attacked by foreign enemies"
When that time came" Mr..
Lewis said, I abandoned
every other consideration and stated
publicly, and acted accordingly, in
support of the Government, of our
institutions, of our policies, of the
integrity of our Nation and the
well-being, not alone of the mem
bers of the United Mine Workers of
America, but the wen-being of
every American"
Informed of Mr.. Murray's speech,
Mr.. Lewis later denied to newspa-
permen that he or the miners had
opposed any proposal of the ad-
ministration for defense before
Pearl Harbor or for war since then.
He recalled that Mr.. Murray, speak
ing to the mine workers Policy
Committee last week said he had
never questioned John L. Lewis
patriotism"
Mr.. Lewis also denied a Murray
charge that MIR. Lewis had asked
the C. I. o. president to oppose the
Presidents foreign policies and said
Mr.. Murrays speeches INDUCED in
irrational emotionalism."
Imperialism Charged.
Mr.. Murray declared Mr.. Lewis
"professed to be the almighty, big
ger than the union, bigger than
the CIO. bigger than any affil-
late, bigger than any member. He
believes that when he makes up his
mind about something, that is the
way 1t ought to be done"
In another development, Textile
Labor, official publication of the
CIO Textile Workers Union of
America, said in a front page edi-
torial in its June issue yesterday
that John L. Lewis is Fascist in
thought and method and his pre-
eminence as a labor leader in no
whit changes or extenuates that &C
cusation."
The. editorial, signed by Editor
Val Burati, also said:
John L. Lewis is attempting to
build up a personal empire for no
good purpose.
THE fact that in accomplishing
his purpose he must. willy-nilly, ac-
complish some good for his members
does not deny the essential rotten
ness of his objectives."