Evening star., 1946-05-09
Civil Service
Weighs Probe
OF Leftist Union
Commission Action
Is Delayed Pending
Return of Fiemminq
By Joseph Youno

An investigation of the left
wing United Public Workers of
America (CIO) is under consid-
Grafton by the Civil Service Com
mission, it was learned today.
Off1cials of the legal division of
the commission admitted that they
were thinking" of launching an in
vestigation, but said no specific
plans had been made. It is believed
that any further action will await
the return to Washington of Com
missioner Arthur S. Flehming, who
has been out of the city several days.
The union was formed two weeks
ago in Atlantic City through ANAL
gamation Of the United Federal
Workers of America and the State,
County and Municipal Workers of
America.
Policies Attacked at Meeting.
During the Atlantic City conven-
ton, minority group of delegates
charged that the union was under
communistic influence and demand
ed that the organization drop its
leftist policies. However, the small
group was unsuccessful in changing
the unions program
Civil Service officials today said
the commission would be within its
rights in investigating any union
composed of Government employees,
even though the officers of the or
ganiZation are not Federal workers.
Anything that pertains to civil
service comes under our jurisdic-
tion," it was said.
What trend the inquiry will take,
should an investigation be author
lied, was not disclosed, although it
is considered likely that the officers
of the organization would come un-
der scrutiny. Officials of the union
include Abram Flaxer of New York,
president; Eleanor Nelson of Balti-
more and Washington, secretary
treasurer, and Robert Weinstein of
New York, organization director.
Backed Soviet Policy.
The event that touched off the
Communist afiliation charge oc-
CURED when the union convention
passed a resolution praising Soviet
Russia's foreign policy while crit
icizing the stand of the United
States and Great Britain. Despite
a protest from the floor that adop-
ton of the resolution would indicate
that the union was following the
Communist line" the delegates
overwhelmingly approved the for
eign policy document.
The union thus far has not vet
answered the left-wing charges
levied against it, but organization
spokesmen say that the union will
answer its critics shortly with an
Official statement.
New Fight in Prospect,
Last week, Local No. l Of the union
shouted down an attempt by Robert
E. Reynolds, . member OF the Civil
Service Commission branch of the
organiza ton, to modify the national
organizations foreign policy resolu-
tion by censuring Russia for some
Of that Nations acts since the end
Of the war.
Mr.. Reynolds, however, has an
nounced his intention to carry on
his fight, and the executive COM
mittee Of the Civil Service Com
mission branch of the union has
indorsed his stand. The fight on
the foreign policy resolution is ex-
pected to be renewed next month at
the meeting of Local No. l.
The Government Employees Coun-
Gil Of the AFL today entered the
controversy by calling on Congress
to rid the Federal payrolls of all
persons of doubtful loyalty to this
Government"
Dual Allegiance Cherged.
While not mentioning any specific
organization, the councils statement
sent to members OF Congress took
special note "of a practice among
some minority groups which cal
themselves unions to engage in
dual allegiance with their sympa.
thies slanted toward governments
other than the United States.
I'm any reduction in force, thi.
council is Of the definite belief thai
those who persist in holding mem.
bership in such groups, whose lead.
erships are determined to take then
far af1eld from their supposed pur.
poses, should be discharged before
any other persons. Thereupon their
places should be taken by returning
veterans who well understand which
government shall be served first"
A spokesman for the council, COM
posed Of representatives of all AFI
unions in the public service field
said: I'VE fully expect to be targets
for the usual epithets and brick.
bats and cries of 'Fascists' aimed al
any who dare protest retention on
the public rolls of those who place
the interests of foreign powers on
a plane higher than that of our own
people"