Evening star., 1946-03-23
Fight Over GIN Strike
Strategy Due as UAW
"OPENS Session Today
BY the kssec.aisd Press

VHv1u1 Av0SuV1u uVN0y
BY the Asseesuisd Press
ATLANTIC CITY, Mar. 23.-The
General Motors strike appears likely
to become a bitterly fought issue
at the CIO United Auto Workers
Convention opening here today.
About 1000 UAw-CIO delegates
converged on convention hall in
an air of tenseness for their first
session at / pm.
Many OF them were convinced
that a debate on the strategy of the
General Motors strike Is inevitable
within the next few days.
Expect Thomas Reuther Row.
Here's why:
Cd The delegates expect name
calling, rip-roaring struggle for the
presidency Of the union-the first
major presidential contest in the
unions 10-year history.
co And one of the expected can
didates happens, to be the man who
led the strike, Walter Reuther.
Vice President Reuther is regarded
as almost certain to run against
r. J Thomas. president. Mr.. Reu-
ther hasn't announced his candi-
dacy, but his followers expect him
to throw his hat in the ring after
meeting of the Reuther faction
tonight.
Opponents Plan Strategy.
Some Reuther opponents already
have begun an attack on the stra-
tegy of the strike. A resolution has
been submitted criticizing the hand
ling of the strike and is being con-
sidered by the Resolutions Commit
tee of the convention. The wording
of the resolution was not learned,
but Mr.. Reuther has testified pri-
vately before the committee con-
corning it.
Another explosive resolution under
consideration would put the conven-
ton on record as opposing company
security" clauses in union contracts.
This, too, is likely to touch of a
battle if it reaches the convention
floor for debate.
The automobile companies have
been pressing for such clauses de-
signed to protect the companies
against unauthorized or wild cat
strikes by penalizing the workers
who take part. Such a provision
was written into the UAW-Ford
agreement and it aroused consider
able opposition among Ford work
ers. There is no company security
clause in the UAW agreement with
General Motors.
Strike Drifts Along.
The General Motors strike was
settled 10 days ago as to national
issues, but hasn't ended yet be-
cause the management and work.
ers at some GIN plants have been
slow in settling their local differ
ences.
The main event on today's pro-
gram is speech by President
Thomas this afternoon. He wouldn' t
say in advance whether he would
talk politics so early since the elec-
ton of officers will not come up
until next Thursday or Friday.
Mr.. Thomas told reporters that
Philip Murray. CIO president, would
visit the convention Monday, and
probably make a speech. Mr.. Muir
ray has said in Washington that
he will not take part in the UAW
election campaign.
Had Only Two Presidents.
The UAW-CIO has had only two
presidents since It's establishment in
1896, They are Homer Martin, who
was president until he was expelled
in 1899, and Mr.. Thomas, who has
been president. since 1899.
In an annual report yesterday,
George Adde's, the unions veteran
secretary treasurer, criticized the
record of President Truman and
Congress, and declared that during
the long GIN strike, the union re-
ceived little aid or encouragement
from the Government.
Congress, he said, has IAN even
worse record" than the administra-
tion
He called for congressional
house cleaning in November, and as
serted:
Party lines must be thrown over
board and legislators elected on the
basis Of their past record and not
because OF their pledge of adher-
ence to any political platform"