Evening star., 1949-09-25
International Board
Studies Action Against
pressmen's Local
By james Y. Newton

ne international PrluIlng
Pressznen's Union will decide in
about two weeks whether to pun
ish Washington local for its ac-
tivities in connection with the in
vestigation of the international
and of the affairs of the late
George L. Berry, longtime presi-
dent of the union.
Top officers of Local No. l, COM
posed of pressmen at the Govern
ment Printing Office and COM
mercial shops here, were called
before the international board to
show cause why the local should
not be punished. The board took
the matter under advisement and
will meet again later to decide the
fate of the local.
The hearing was held at Press
mems Home, Tenn; the inter-
national headquarters. James S.
Judge, president, and E. P. Best.
secretary-treasurer. representedi
the local.
Suit Against Estate Predicted.
Meanwhile, several pressmen
predicted that the local will defy
the international and go forward
with plans to file suit against the
Berry estate to recover properties
which the local claims belong to
the union and were willed to
others by Mr.. Berry, onetime Sen
ater from Tennessee.
The property includes the mil
lion-dollar International Playing
Card and Label Co., Rogersville.
Tenn, financed by union funds
and now in private hands. Mr..
Berry died last December, and
under Tennessee law any claims
against the estate must be filed
by october 6.
In another development, it was
learned that Louis A. Lopez, the
international's legislative repre-
sentative here, has been dis
charged. Mr.. Lopez, well
known labor leader and former
member of the National War
Labor Board. repeatedly was
charged with failing to keep the
international abreast of develop
ments in Local /. He is mem
Der Of the local.
The local is charged with violat-
ing the union constitution by
planning court action without
first exhausting all remedies pro-
vided In the bylaws; revealing
union business to outside groups:
appealing for financial aid in
their fight without approval of
the international and other "of-
lenses"
Probed BY House Group.
All of the charges stem from
the House Labor Committee in
vestigation of the affairs of the
international and of Mr.. Berry.
A subcommittee. headed by Rep
resentative Jacobs. Democrat, OF
Indiana, heard testimony that Mr..
Berry on several occasions used I,
union funds for private enter
prises, including the card and
label company, printing concern.
The investigating committee
was dissolved last month by chair
man Lesinski of the full commit
tee, and Mr.. Jacobs charged last
Thursday that Mr.. Lesinski did
so because of "heat" brought on
him by the International Press
men. He said further that George
L. Googe, a union vice president,
knew the committee was to be
abolished a week before Mr..
Jacobs did.
Commenting yesterday on
charges brought against Local /
and the dismissal of Mr.. Lopez,
Mr.. Jacobs said: II think it is
q damn poor way to run a union.
The Government, by law. should
prevent the very things they are
trying to do"
More Democracy Sought.
Mr.. Jacobs has attempted to
BCt CS1S1dt4Oll C14 OuSl SOA1S1 CoO
which would provide more de-
mocracy in unions by freeing
locals and members from coercion
of internationals. He has intro
duced a resolution in the House
to re-create his investigating
group as select committee of
the House and therefore inde-
pendent of Mr.. Lesinski's COM
mittee.
If the Washington local is
found guilty of the charges
against it. the international then
can revoke it's charter, place it
under direction of the interna-
tional or impose a fine.
Officers of the Newark local,
which joined Washington in the
fight against the international,
refused to appear for a similar
show-cause hearing Friday. The
Newark group, it was reported.
asked that the hearing be moved
from Pressman's Home because
of a lack of police protection
there. The international refused.
It could not be learned what
action will be taken against that
local.