Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-03-13

Charges are made that those who
intimate such a thing are enemies
OF the common man; that they are
red baiters" and tools Of the Ma
tional Association Of Manufacturers
or the Chamber of Commerce; that
they are against the rights Of la
.bor":; that it is all nonsense anyway
and that the Communist issue IS
unscrupulously raised to scare peo-
pie.
There is nothing that the CIO
spokesman or the Reds and pinks
who infest such committees as the
one for which Mr.. Ickes has now
become the front grow angrier about
and denounce more vehemently--
nothing which they more violently
deny.
Few Doubt Charges.
Yet, few detached and informed
men doubt its truth. The testimony
Is convincing and the allegations by
no means come exclusively from RI
val labor leaders or from conserva-
tives who favor some form OF union
responsibility and restraint.
For example, Mr.. Donald Richberg
certainly cannot be regarded as un-
friendly to labor. An early Roose-
welt New Dealer, he was assistant
director Of the old MIRA, has repre-
scented labor unions in various ways
and strongly upholds "the rights Of
labor"
The other day in Washington Mr..
Richbere made the most illuminate
ing and trenchant speech on the
subject Of where Is Organized La
Dor Going?" that can be recalled.
He analysed the factions and their
leaders. He pointed out their
strength and their weaknesses. He
was realistic about both william
Green and the AFL, and Mr.. Lewis
and his United Miners.
People Should Know Facts.
But perhaps, the most important
thing he had to say was about
Philip Murray and the CLIO. This
was important because 1t is import
ant the people generally should know
the facts about this union and its
leaders who have grown largely
through Government support and
who have sufficient influence in the
Senate Labor Committee to block
any legislation to which they are
opposed, as shown in the emascula-
ton Of the Case. bill passed by the
House.
Mr.. Richberg regards MIR. Murray
as one of the tragic figures of the
labor movement. Naturally con-
sentative and sane trade-unionist
he has become, said Mr.. Richberg,
"a captive of the underground. John
Lewis thought he could purge the
Go of Communists and fellow
travellers. But the job was too big
for John and far too big for Phil.
Probably only q small percentage
OF CIO members are full-dedged
Communists. s.. !.
But this small percentage is a
virulent minority which spends its
time capturing key positions while
the normal wage Garner Is enjoying
the comforts of home. This treacher-
Gus revolutionary group is supported
by 4 much larger number of in
conspicuous fellow travellers who,
though they would reject Commu-
mist philosophy, will swallow Com
munist doctrine and follow Commu-
pist programs under cunning ap-
peals to self-interest and class
prejudice"
Says Murray Ii Distressed.
Continuing further. Mr.. Richbers
said: There ID no doubt that the
captive Phil Murray Is greatly
distressed by his predicamcnt. But
whenever he blows OF In violent
and fraudulent attacks which arr
foreign to his nature, 1t is evident
that he is being made the stoogl
Of the most INSCRIPTIONS foes o.
our own household.
Phil Murray in his right mint
would never accuse the Presiden
Of the United States Of 'abjec
cowardice' and Of yielding to thu
arrogance Of industrial leaders
Phil Murray In his right mine
would not remain the leader Of
organizations In which internal ane
external campaigns are conducted
with lying, fraud and treschery q,
approved tactics"
This is the most outspoken ut.
terance yet made concerning tn.
Communist influence upon the CIC