Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-04
|WheeIer's Stand Inks.
AFL; New Political
Chief May Be Sought
By jones Y. Newton
Stor Stoff Correspondent

MIAMI Feb. 4.-The AFL
thought it had a director for its
| political league in the person of
Burton K. Wheeler, former DEM
ocratic Senator from Montana,
but today it appears that it does
not. The on-again, off-again
matter of the director may be
off again.
Members of the federation's Exec
utive Council, irked by the reser-
vations Mr.. Wheeler, in Washing
ton, placed around acceptance of
the political job after they believed
he had accepted, said frankly it
appeared they would have to look
elsewhere for a director of Labor's
League for Political Education I'M
less he changes his attitude" in
conferences here.
Mr.. Wheeler was expected to ar
rive here by plane this afternoon
The Administrative Committee of
the league Is in session. The differ
ences, of course, could be straight
ened out in ensuing conferences, but
several AFL policy makers ex-
pressed doubt a settlement could be
reached.
Leaders Embarrassed.
The situation was the cause of
considerable heat and some embar-
rassment among AFL leaders. Will
liam Green. AFL president, an
nounced fatty at a news conference
that Mr.. Wheeler had been ap-
proved and had accepted the job.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wheeler was tell
| ing reporters in Washington, where
he has a law Office, that the offer
was intriguing" that he had not
| accepted and several matters of
policy would have to be Strengthened
out before he would accept. He said
he wanted to look into AFL "polit-
ical policies" and expressed doubt
that he would be able to give full
time to the job.
Mr.. WheelerS statements caught
the AFL leaders by surprise. They
had said couple of details of
agreement remained to be worked
out, one of which was the precise
amount Of Mr.. Wheeler's salary.
Mr.. Green said he would receive
about $4,000 a year"
Dubinsky Doubtful.
Among those who expressed doubt
that Mr.. Wheeler now will get the
political league job were David
Dubinsky, president of the Interna-
tional Ladies Garment Workers,
and George Meany, AFL secretary
treasurer. However, both conceded
the situation could be changed in
their talks with the former Senator.
I'VE certainly do not want man
as director who will tell us what
policy we are to pursue" Mr.. Meany
said. 1--WE will tell him what to do.
After all, he will be an employee.
Then, it is just as certain that we
do not want part-time man for
this big position"
Especially disturbing to the AFL
was one news report to the effect
that Mr.. Wheeler wanted to know
supporting the Marshall Plan before
he would accept. Council members,
who have given about Endorsement
to the European recovery program,
said there can be no compromise
on that issue"
In the event a satisfactory ar
rangement cannot be worked out
with Mr.. Wheeler, the AFL may
De forced to select some one from
its ranks for the political director
ship. In that event, Mr.. Meany,
who was approached before Mr..
Wheeler entered consideration,
probably will get the job. He would
retain the title of secretary-treas-
urer, although his pay, to avoid
conflict with the Taft-Hartley Act,
would come from the Political
League.
Complaining the whole Wheeler
situation was the fact that George
M. Harrison, president of the Broth
erhood of Railway Clerks, who con-
ferred with Mr.. Wheeler by tele-
phone, was called away from the
meeting here yesterday.
Selection of the assistant direc-
tor Of the political league was def
mite. The job will go to Joseph
keenan,, secretary of the Chicago
Federati of Labor and former
vice chairman of the War Produc-
ton Board.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Green said that
William L. Hutcheson, head of the
carpenters, second largest AFL
union, stated that his union would
not contribute directly to the sup
port of the political league. Mr..
Hutcheson, he said. felt that his
union should collect its own
funds" but that he would cooper
ate with the league in some work.
The carpenters have 1000 men,
pers. Mr.. Hutchinson is lifelong
Republican.
In another development, Matthew
Vol, head of the AFL's interna-
tional labor relations department,
announced that the labor fedora
lions of Belgium, the Netherlands
and Luxembourg will call meeting
in Brussels for April to discuss ways
of labor cooperation in the carry
ing out of the Marshall Plan. The
AFL, which seeks to set up new
international labor organization of
free trade unions" has been at
tempting to arrange the meeting,
with the European countries Spon-
soring 1t.
Burton Wins Senote Scot
DANVILLE, Va, Feb. R.-I
Frank P. Burton, unopposed Demo-
cratic candidate, was elected to the
Virginia Senate seat vacated by
the resignation of Maitland H. Bus
tard in light balloting throughout
the 18th senatorial district yeSter-