Evening star., 1944-01-14
BiddIe Orders Probe
Of Charge Clio Group
Violated Labor Act
By the Associated Press.

an immediate investigation OF
charges that the Congress Of In
dustrial Organizations Political Ac-
ton Committee violated criminal
provisions Of the Antistrike Act by
seeking ito influence If not control,
the 1914 elections"
The charges were made yesterday
by Representative Smith, Democrat,
Of Virginia, co-outhor Of the anti
strike law, in letter to the Justice
Department There was no com.
ment Immediately from the COM
mittee. but in the past it has taken
the position that its general politi-
cal and educational activity" cannot
legally be prohibited in view Of the
constitutional guarantees of free
speech, press and assembly.
Mr.. Smith timed the letter with
Introduction of a bill which would
deprive wartime striking union of
its legal status before the National
Labor Relations Board and with
draw the protection given unions as
such by other Federal legislation
He said he offered 1t as a substitute
for President Roosevelt's request for
a national service law.
Charges Murray Confessed,
The legislators complaint named
Philip Murray. president of the C1O.
as making a defiant confession of
the violation Of the statute" in an
article written for the American
Magazine.
In that article, Mr.. Smith said
Mr.. Murray made the statement
that "the various CIO unions have
made an initial contribution OF
$700, 900" to accomplish their politi-
cal aims this year.
Section nine Of the Connally-
Smith Act makes 1t unlawful for
any labor organization to make q
contribution in connection with any
election at which presidential and
vice presidential electors, or = Sem
ator or Representative In. or q
Delegate or resident commissioner
to, Congress are to be voted for, a"
said Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Murray Is president OF the
CLIO. The article is a defiant con-
fession of violation of the statute" !"
Asks Jury Indictment.
A CIO spokesman said that Mr..
Murray had no comment presently
on either Mr.. Smiths charges or
Mr.. Biddle's order for an investi-
CATION.
Mr.. Smith asked the Justice De-
partment to present ''the whole
matter to a Federal grand jury
forthwith with a view to the indict-
ment and prosecution OF those en-
gagged in this conspiracy to control
the national elections of 1914"
The department said Mr.. Biddle
instructed Tom c. Clark, head Of
the Criminal Division, ito investi-
gate Immediately and to take such
action as the facts require"
Sidney Hillman. chairman of the
Political Action Committee, in a
letter to regional directors Decem-
Der 8, said:
Counsel has advised the commit
tee that the Smith -Connally Act Is
applicable only to elections for presi-
Dental and vice presidential elec-
tors or q Senator or congressional
Representative. The act has no
application to primary elections,
elections of delegates Ito political
conventions or elections of State or
local officials.
Counsel Gives Opinion.
TN the case of those elections to
which the law does apply, the
Smith -Connally Act prohibits con-
tributions OF money or any other
thing of value by labor organiza-
ton with respect to the specific Of
fees covered by the law
Counsel further advises us that
the law does not prohibit labor
organization, or the CIO Political
Action Committee as an instru-
mentality Of the CIO, from spend
ing monies in connection with its
own activities, undertaken for the
purpose Of advancing the cause Of
one or more candidates for Federal
office, provided that this money Is
spent directly by the labor organ
ization and not pursuant to an
agreement or prearrangement with
these candidates, their political
l,a rfies or cornnniffnAs -