Evening star., 1944-09-14
UNIV Leaders Ask
Convention 10 Reject
Autonomy Movement
y the Associated Prsss.

CINCINNATI, Sept. 14,-The
perennial battle over district self
government In the United Mine
Workers opened today when the
union leadership brought In 4 con-
vertion report recommending con-
tiniance Of the existing laws and
criticixing Rky Edmundson OF I'LL
nois, leader OF the autonomy move.
ment. The autonomy movement ID
aimed at defeating John L. Lewis
as president.
I'm order to meet the competitive
problems arising out Of producing
and marketing coal" the Resolu-
tiohs Committee report said. I'VE
deem 1t necessary that unity within
our organization be established, as
1t ts needed more now than ever
before. - The cohesion, 10y
atty and solidarity Of our member
ship during the last two years
and the eficient administration Of
our unions affairs all bespeak con-
tinuation Of our present policies"
Al second section Of the commit
teesreport said, Ray Edmundson is
maligning the officers of this union
In his attempts to SOW the seeds
OF discontent in the organization
with his phony autonomy movement
after serving rs an appointed ON
Ger in the organization for over IL
years"
Actions Called Centemrtible.
The resolution proposed that the
convention thereby 60 on record
as being opposed to Edmundson's
actions and rs condemning his
campaign Of personal glorification
which Is being carried on behind
the front Of autonomy"
It described the circulation of au-
tonomy literature by the group As
contrary to usual procedure In the
United Mine Workers"
The resolution was one of 50 to
60 drafted covering the entire top
icaL field Of interest to labor.
One group of resolutions deals
with the wage scale and another
batch covers proposed constitution
changes. appeals and grievances.
Resolutions in all categories ia
voring extension of self-government
in the UNIV totaled 1913. compared
with 1o3 opposed. "a
Twenty-one of the 81 UNIV. dis
tricts are governed by sofncers ap-
pointed by Mr.. Lewis. One of them.
Mr.. Edmundson. quit last spring and
is running for president Of the union
agatnst Mr.. Lewis, as well rs leading
the autonomy forces. The election
however, win not take place until
December when the miners vote in
. referendum.
Net On,cialIy Seated.
Mr. Edmundson has not been ON
cially seated because his credentials
have been contested. and he may be
declared ineligible to participate In
the debate. :.
Secretary Treasurer Thomas Ken.
nedy made public . telegram prais-
ing Mr.. Lewis signed by a group Of
North American workers" member,
Of the CIO United Automobile Work.
ers at Dayton, Ohio.
Political fever broke out In q rash
at the convention yesterday. disclos-
ing an articulate group Of Roosevelt
partisans for the flrst time.
Frank Hefferly, Colorado lieuten-
ant Of Mr.. Lewis, touched Oh the
debate with = denunciation of man.
power controls and an appeal to
vote this administration out of
power" Percy Tetlow. an appointive
district president in West Virginia,
already had criticized administra-
ton wage controls.
John Mascara OF Canonsburg, Pa,
following Mr.. Hetferly, declared "the
previous speaker has talked out Of
order" and praised President Roose-
welt.