Evening star., 1948-10-03
Clio Faces Showdown
On Internal Dispute al
Convention Nov. u
BY the Asseeioted Press


The CIO is heading toward an
almost certain showdown between
its warning left and right wing fac
tions after the presidential elections.
Beset by internal friction over
charges that some of its union lead
ers have Communist leanings, the
CIO will meet in convention in
Portland, Oreg, November ~.
The potential start of a breach is
scheduled for October IA, when q
three-man CIO committee opens an
inquiry here into conduct of the
leadership OF the Greater New York
City CIO Council.
The investigation was demanded
by anti Communist leaders including
Joseph Curran Of the National Mari
time Union and Michael Quill of the
Transport workers. Both of them
once worked in their own unions
with factions accused of Communist
sympathy.
Action May Be Appealed.
The committee will report its
findings to the CIO Executive Board
at Portland November II. Any dis
ciplinary action which might be
taken by the board or by CIO Presi-
dent Philip Murray as a result of
that report more than likely would
be appealed to the convention.
So the basis for a showdown al
ready has been laid.
There are also other issues which
may set OF the fireworks at Port
land. These include CIO support
of the European Recovery Program
opposed by the Communists-and
further participation in the World
Federation of Trade Unions. The
CIO has been fighting within the
WFTU to check the influence of
Russian delegates.
Pressure Already on Murray.
There is considerable pressure on
Murray noW-in addition to barbs
from the rival American Federation
OF Labor-to pull out of the WFTU
althogether.
Up to now Mr.. Murray has been
able to smooth over the differences
between the quarreling factions. He
has consistently aided all unions in
crises Whenever he could draw the
line on strictly tradeunion issues
Politically, he lines up with the
risht-wing groups which make up
the great majority of his 5000, 600
member organization.
Yesterday he came to the aid of
Harry Bridges longshoremen and
others in the West Coast mari
time strike by suggesting that the
United States Maritime Commission
intervene so that disrupted negotia-
t!ons might-be revived.
Mr.. Murray also protested the
blacklisting of the United Electrical
workers and United Public Workers
from atomic plants by the Atomic
Energy Commission. The commls-
sion said its action was basel on
information concerning alleged
Communist affliation or association"
by certain union officers.
Raids" Reported Planned.
In both those moves, Mr.. Murray
was speaking on a trade union
principle. Underlying the barring
of the UEW and UPW from partic-
i3ation On atomic energy projects
and the collapse of negotiations in
the West Coast maritime dispute Is
the refusal of those union officers
to file non-Communist afidavits
under the Taft-Hartley labor law.
But Mr.. Murray hasn't fled the
affidavits either. He objects to the
principle involved, he says, and has
started a legal test Of the Taft
Hartley Act requirement. Eventu-
ally that may be passed upon by
the Supreme Court.
Righ-wing unions are reported
ready to raid the membership OF. the
United Electrical Workers, Food and
Tobacco Workers, Farm Equipment
Workers, Longshoremen. American
Communications Association, Ma
rine Cooks and Stewards. Fur
workers and Furniture Workers.