Evening star., 1943-08-11
Decision Due Today
On Lewis Application
10 Return 10 AFL
3y the Associated Press,

CHICAGO. Aug. 1.-THE Amer
ican Federation of Labor Executive
Council weighed the application of
the United Mine Workers for a
charter today against the protest
and promise of an AFL affiliate to
fight bitterly for our rights
A decision on UNIV President
John L. Lewis application was ex-
pected late today
The council yesterday heard a
committee report on the application
and a protest by officers of the Pro-
gresSive Mine Workers of America.
a relatively tiny offshoot and rival
of the Lewis union in Illinois and
Kentucky.
Lewis Assailed.
"The Progressive Miners organiza-
tion," President Lloyd A. Thrush
!. told the council, came into being
because of the injustices of the
United Mine Workers organiZa ton
toward the workers in the coal
mines. because of the failure of that
organization 10 properly represent
the coal miners because of The
uncompromising and dictatorial at
titude of the czar of the United
Mine Workers.
Every member of the Progressive
Mine Workers Of America is en-
titled to a fair and honest represent
tation and has voice in the selec-
tion of his officers and in the man
agement of his union affairs.
such facts cannot be shown to
exist in the United Mine Workers OF
America and we honestly feel ." =
such rights should be perpetuated,
and they would not be so perpetu-
ated for coal miners in the American
Federation of LABOR If the applica-
ton of John L. Lewis is granted
The Progressive Mine Workers Of
America was the only coal miners
organization that adhered strictly to
the no-strike pledge given by the
American Fedora ton of Labor to the
Government. while the organization
now seeking sfflliation ignored this
policy when the Nation was at its
most critical moment.
Constitution Cited.
Asserting the coal strike was the
immediate cause of the enactment
of the mith-Connally bill, Mr..
Thrush said Surely the American
Federation of Labor cannot carry
out its announced intention OF work
ing to defeat all Congressman VINO
voted in favor OF the Smith-Con-
nally bill III one breath. and at the
same time take in under its wing the
very man and his hirelingS who
caused the passage CT that bill"
Citing .he AFL constitution which
saws a charter shall not be granted
If the jurisdiction claimed is a
trespass on The jurisdiction of exist
ing affiliated unions without the
written consent of such unions Mr
Thrush declared:
The Progressive Mine Workers
of America has not and will not
consent in writing or otherwise to
the granting of a charter TO the
United Mine Workers of America
which would In any way infringe
upon the jurisdiction now validly
riehtfully and completely held by
our organization.
Mr.. Thrush was heard privately
by the council. He released a copy
of his statement, however. and add
ed that only the convention of the
AFL could change the constitution
He said we are willing to take our
chances on the convention" and
that he had 25 letters from inter
national unions promising him sup
port in the convention.
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