Evening star., 1948-10-13
LewisAttack on Dewey
Cheers UNIV Officials
Seeking 10 Aid Truman
By jones Y. Newton
Sfor StoH Correspondent

CINCINNATI, Oct. ls.-Many
United Mine Workers oflicials were
jubilant today, after John L. Lewis
closed the miners convention with
an attack on Gov. Dewey.
Union leaders from Illinois, Penn
sylvania and West Virginia said Mr..
Lewis remarks would make 1t easier
for them to work for. President Tru-
mans reelection. Most Of the
miners appear to favor the Presi-
dent, despite the bitter verbal as
sault Mr.. Lewis made on Mr.. Tru-
man last week.
Significantly, speaker who arose
to praise Gov. Dewey at yesterdays
closing convention session was
shouted down by the delegates and
not allowed to finish his speech.
1t was not so much what Mr..
Lewis said about Mr.. Dewey, but
the way he said it that impressed
the delegates, or rather the Demo-
Gratis among them. He did not
mention the name Of the Republi-
can candidate, referring to him
with booming sarcasm as some
politician" In fact the only men,
ton of the name, Dewey, in the
eight days Of convention was by the
man who was not allowed to finish
his speech.
Notes Pittsburgh Speech.
Mr.. Lewis. assailing the Taft
Hartley Act anew in his closing
speech, referred to Gov. Dewey's
labor address at Pittsburgh Mon
day night.
Some politician said recently"
Mr.. Lewis said with emphasis on
the second word. that the Taft
Hartley Act at least protects the
right Of labor to organize. 1t is just
the reverse. That man hasn't even
read the act. There is one line in
the preamble which says labor can
organize and bargain collectively,
and II pages Of restrictions on any
one who dares organize"
| Mr.. Lewis closed what may be
his last UNIV convention. He was
unable to restrain some show of
emotion, as one of several mine
camp bands present played Aud
Lang Sang" and the delegates filed
from the hall.
One thing was made clear. That
is that Mr.. Lewis does not plan to
step down as head of the miners
anytime soon. He has been NOM
mated for referendum election for
another four-year term as presi-
dent and without opposition. The
many stories that he would retire
because Of i'll health obviously were
untrue. He seemed to be as healthy
as at any time in recent years.
Wage Policy Voted.
But the colorful miners chief is
So. and when the next convention
rolls around he will be y. 1t was
held significant that the convention
wished to make him lifetime" pres
ident, but he refused the offer.
At the last session the convention
voted q new lo-point wage policy,
which will be used as a guide In
negotiations next spring with the
mine operators for a new contract.
Based on 800 resolutions seeking
huge concessions from employers,
the policy generally calls for higher
wages, shorter working week and
more money for the welfare. and
retirement fund, which already
amounts to 100000, 900 a year.
The policy statement indicated
clearly that In the next negotia-
tions Mr.. Lewis will be as tough as
ever to handle. e @.
Perhaps the most significant de-
velopment of the convention was
the Lewis warning that the union
Is ready to stabilize employment in
the industry If, in time of economic
slump, the employers "fail In their
responsibilities" BY that he meant
the union would spread employ
ment among all miners by order
ing miners to lay down their tools
l a