Evening star., 1947-02-01
|AFL Leaders Doubt
UNITY viii Grow Out
|0f invitation 10 Clio
By james Y. Newton
Sfar Stoff Correspondent

4
MIAMI, Feb. 1.-American Fed
Grafton of Labor leaders here were
not too hopeful today that anything
approaching labor unity would come
from their invitation to the CIO
for joint meetings to discuss "or-
ganic unity within the ranks of la
bor."
Some members of the AFL Execu-
tive Council, holding its winter
meeting here, expressed doubt that
the CIO would accept the proposal.
In event joint meetings are ar
ranged, there was no AFL official so
optimistic as to think union of the
two major labor organizations could
be worked out in matter of a few
months.
The proposal for a meeting Of
committees to discuss unity was
made by William Green, AFL presi-
dent, in a letter to CIO President
Philip Murray in which the latter's
suggestions for Joint action to offset
legislative and other attacks on
labor was rejected. Mr.. Green wrote
that I'VE cannot present a united
front by pretending to be united
today, and being divided tomorrow"
Murray Awaits Letter.
In Pittsburgh, Mr.. Murray said
that he had not received Mr.. Green's
letter and certainly could not COM
ment until it had arrived. James
B. Carey, CIO secretary-treasurer,
said the matter might come up at
the February Is meeting Of the
CIO vice presidents. Other CLIO
sources declared there was little
chance under the best circum-
stances that amalgamation could be
achieved in time to aid in the fight
against labor-restricting legislation.
Mr.. Green announced appoint
ment of five AFL leaders including
himself to Unification Committee,
and he suggested that Mr.. Murray
select group of similar size to meet
with the AFL at the earliest possible
date.
The other four members Of the
committee are John l.. Lewis, George
Meany, AFL secretary-treasurer:
William L. Hutcheson. head of the
carpenters, and Daniel J. Tobin,
teamsters' president.
The makeup of the AF'L commit
tee, it was pointed out. would make
agreement with the CIO difficult to
say the least. Mr.. Lewis has not
been ON speaking terms with his old
associate and understudy in the
United Mine Workers. Mr.. Murray,
since the miners pulled out Of the
CIO in 1912.
Mr.. Hutcheson was a leading man
for Mr.. Lewis Committee for Indus
trial Organization when it was set
up in 1885. He took a punch on the
nose from Mr.. Lewis at the AFL
convention in Atlantic City that
year in elimination of an argument
over the industrial unioncraft union
issue. Mr.. Green for years has
loosed bitter blasts at the CIO.
The two giant labor groups held
unity meetings in 1889 which devel-
oped nothing except increased
bitterness.
1t was recalled that two years ago,
Mr.. Murray in proposal similar to
the one just answered by MIR. Green
suggested joint action to head of
antilabor legislation In Congress
and the States. On that occasion
too, Mr. Green rejected the invita-
ton and suggested organic" unity
as the only solution to labor's prob
lens. On that occasion, however, he
accused the CIO of bringing about
the split in labor's ranks.
Blast Withheld.
There were several on the AFL
Executive Council who favored de-
nouncing the CIO in rejecting the
Murray invitation this time. At the
last minute, however, the council
decided it would be better strategy
to suggest complete unity or at least
talks to discuss the matter. Some
of the AFL people feel they now.
have the CIO on the spot. Refusal
of the CIO to accept the meeting
invitation would put them in a po-
sition of being opposed to unity, they
say.
In his letter, Mr. Green recalled
the advantages of united labor
movement, adding:
"The continuation of the existing
division within the ranks of labor
serves to encourage those who would
weaken and destroy the organized
labor movement through the enact
ment of anti-labor legislation in the
Congress and the State Legisla-