Evening star., 1944-05-19

lied, more aggressive and better
financed than the National Com
mittee. Further, it was not only
earlier in its demand for Mr.. Roose-
velt to run again (being preceded
only by Mr.. Earl Browder, the Com
munist leader, but is far more en-
thusiastic and united, there being
some members of the National
Committee who are, to say the least,
1ukewarm about the fourth term,
though the futility of opposition to
denomination keepssthem quiet. On
the contrary, the CIO leaders, from
Mr.. Murray and Mr.. Hillman down,
are a truculent and extremely artic-
ulate unit-with lots of money.
Campaigning With vigor.
In addition, they have already
taken the lead and are conducting
the campaign with a vigor never
before evinced by a labor organ
ization In politics From its pub
icity department, fourth h-term state
ments and arguments flow in a
steady stream, Mr.. Hillman and Mr..
Murray alternately-and sometimes
jointly-beat their breasts, proclaim
ing the necessity of keeping Mr..
Roosevelt. in the White House. Re-
sounding resolutions are passed
every week or so by CIO locals. Mr..
Hillman assails Congress as "sabo-
taging' the policies "of our great
President" and the Republicans.
particularly Gov. Dewey, are dis
paraged.
On Tuesday, In Cleveland. Mr..
Hillman gave out a fervid state
mert. the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers Of America passed a high
ly eulogistic resolution and Mr..
Murray, "in the name of 5000 900
members" exhorted the CIO dele
gates to "roll up your sleeves and
get behind the drive to get Presi-
dent Roosevelt to run again and
hight for his election"
Clearly, the postconvention CIO
campaign will be of greater inten-
sity. because, after the nomination,
there will be real fight and now
there Is none. Therefore, it seems
reasonable to believe the CIO lead
VIII be maintained and the commit
tee hard put to it to keep pace. The
situation is such that 1t will be COM
pellcd to give the CIO a pretty high
managerial position.
Certainly, this wholehearted CIO
activity is an asset for Mr.. Roose-
welt. The Republicans have nothing
like 1t. But, 1t has liabilities. For
example. there are the farmers.
Conservative at heart, antagonized
anyhow by the CIO Communistie
saturation and the extreme radical
ism OF the American Labor party
now dominated by Mr.. Hillman, the
C1O leadership in, and sponsorship
for, the fourth-term attempt is well
calculated to increase farmer oppo-
sition.
Resented in Congress.
Also. Democratic members of Con-
gress, resentful of CIO bullying and
the blatant denunciation from the
Messrs. Murray and Hiliman, are Ill
pleased at the setup.
1t Is easy to believe, too, that it
Is distasteful both to the regular
Democratic politicians and to other
labor leaders. Actually, the CIO
has taken possession. 1t has estab-
, lshed its claim as the chief pro-
moter OF the Roosevelt candidacy
Mrs. Roosevelt Is to address its
annual ropyoptioY, IL 4. H. .,:A
conducting the campaign.
In the event of success, its position
would be very strong, indeed. It
would have right to expect-and
beyond doubt would get-even great
er preferential treatment than be-
fore. Naturally, this Is not a pleas
ing prospect for the regular party
people or for the AFL bosses. Nor
is it one the average citizen can
contemplate happily. 1t would enc
all cnance to correct the cne-sided
unjust and unconstitutional labor
legislation, which the New Deal
under labor pressure, has put upon
the statute books
1t would put the more radical
labor leaders in commanding posi-
ton. 1t would give them a right tc
contend that at last they had elected
q President.
The reelected President, his At
torney General and all other officials
who otherwise would 60 out with a
change OF administration, would be
heavily in the CIO debt. 1t would