Evening star., 1947-11-09
UAW Head Charges
Lewis Money Backs
His Political Foes
BY the Assoeioted Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., Nov. g.
Walter P. Reuther, president of the
CIO United Auto Workers, declared
today that John L. Lewis money
is backing his political opponents
within the union but said no one
could successfully lead a rump
movement" in the UAW
He made the statement at news
conference on. the eve of the unions
11th international convention, at
which his hackers hope to replace
all three other top officers with
Reuther men. The convention opens
here tomorrow.
Mr.. Reuther clearly was implying
that a convention group might try
to lead a segment Of the unions
900 900 membership out of the UAW
and into the embracing Dis
trict so Of Mr.. Lewis AFL United
Mine Workers.
Mr.. Reuther said that "agents of
District so have been working out
of Detroit UAW headquarters) for
months" The Lewis campaign, he
said, is "anti-Reuther, anti-Murray
and anti-CIO." Philip Murray, CIO
president, made some caustic re-
marks about Mr. Lewis at the CIO
convention in Boston last month.
Says He Has Evidence.
Mr.. Reuther said he had ''unmis-
taxable evidence" that District so
of the UNIV helped finance Cd the
movement linking him politically
with Senator Taft, Republican, OF
Ohio, and (2) a Detroit publication
known at "FDR" which has pub
lished blistering attacks on Mr..
Reuther and other propaganda"
The motor building unit in the
big Detroit Ford Local 600 drew up
an all-Lewis slate Of candidates for
convention delegates, he added, but
was beaten decisively by the Reuther
slate.
Eight UAW local unions have sub
mitted resolutions proposing that
the United Mine Workers head be
invited to speak before the conven-
ton, but the proposals weren't ex-
pected to get far with the resolutions
committee.
SAYS Production Is Restricted.
In his report to the membership,
Mr.. Reuther charged that some in
dustries such as cotton and wool
textiles, shoes and metal, except
iron and steel, have restricted pro-
duction to hold prices up.
Unless prices can be rolled back
and materials allocated on a more
equitable basis, he asserted, an
other round of wage increases will
be sought. He advocated a Govern
ment investigation to "expose
monopoly controls"
He also attacked Congress, said
the Nation is heading for another
depression unless stopped by the
people and pledged for an end OF
tragic" factionalism within the
union.
The Reuther faction, in conven-
ton eve caucuses, put finishing
touches on a squeeze play" some
what similar to the one the AFL
worked successfully against Mr..
Lewis at the recent AFL convention
in San Francisco.
Adde's Has Best Chance.
OF the three top officers the fac
ton is attempting to unseat, vet
eran Secretary Treasurer George F.
Adde's appeared in the best position
I to withstand a possible Reuther
sweep in the union elections next
week.
Mr.. Reuther said the unions
failure to win the 32e-day Allis
Chalmers strike was the result OF
open interference on the part Of the
Communist Party in the affairs OF
the local union involved"
This Communist Party inter-
vention served to destroy confidence
and loyalty of the workers In the
local strike leadership.
"It gave the vicious management
of this company an all too effective
weapon to exploit in breaking the
strike. Such incidents as the cir
culation on the picket lines OF Com
munist Party petitions on behalf Of
the party's gubernatorial candidate
Afforded the company perfect basis
for its propaganda campaign against
the union"
The Allis Chalmers strike was led
by R. J. Thomas, former UAW
president and a political enemy of
Mr.. Reuther.