Evening star., 1949-11-11
Harrison Trades
Cha||engesWith
Labor Leader
BIistering Exchange
Follows Meeting
At Front RoyoI
BY the Associated Press

STRASBURG, Va, Nov. ia
blistering exchange of statements
between Representative Harrison
and c. E. Leadman, business agent
of the Textile Workers Union
(CIO) of Front Royal, last night
came as an aftermath of Mr.. Har--
rison's grass roots" meeting in
Front Royal on Wednesday.
The meeting, one of a number
being held by Mr.. Harrison at
key points in the Seventh Dis
trict, turned out to be a heated
affair with Mr.. Leadman and
other union leaders challenging
Mr.. Harrison's S vote on social meas
ures which came before Congress.
At one point in the lengthy dis
cussion, Commemorative Attor-
ney William J. Phillips of Warren
County objected to the monopoly
OF the meeting by the union
spokesmen and said other ques-
TONERS were present who should
be heard.
Harrison Issues Statement.
The meeting adjourned with
both sides in heated disagreement.
Last night Mr.. Harrison issued
the following statement:
cat a public meeting which I
held at Front Royal Wednesday
night, had sharp and at. times
acrimonious discussion with c. E.
Leadman. CIO organizer and busi-
ness agent. 49,, =.
II welcomed the presence Of
Mr.. Leadman at this public meet
ing and was glad to have this
brisk trading of views. I say this
sincerely. despite the fact that
Mr.. Leadman distorted my record
in Congress.
His tactics were in accordance
with the program of a few labor.
goons and their henchmen to de-
ceive the working people Of the
Seventh District in believing that
I have been unfair to these work..
ers, which is despicable lie.
II would be glad to have the
opportunity of defending my rec,
ord. directly before the people.
suggest that if Leadman will
run for Congress on his platform,
of socialized medicine, socialized
housing and Taft Hartley repeal.
the issue would be crystal clear
and Leadman would find that I
would not run from the fight"
Leadman Replies.
Mr.. Leadman. after the Harri-
son statement was read to him
at Front Royal. made the follow
ing statement:
"MY. Harrison has lied. I did
not attack his record. I told the
Congressman there were two sides
to every question and asked him
to state his views on socialized
medicine, minimum wage and
public housing. He said he was
opposed to socialized medicine be-
cause the cost of such a program
would be prohibitive. He said he
voted for minimum wage but he
really voted for the Lucas amend
ment which was worked out in
committee and would have ex-
cluded from two to four million
workers who are now covered.
He was against public housing. :
II said I was not certain that
the proposed program was the
best one but that many people
were living in slums without prop
er medical help and that some-
thing. ought to be done about it.
I asked him what was his solu-
ton. He asked me what was my
solution, and I said I was not a
Congressman. He accused me Of
coming to the meeting to cause
trouble, which is not true.
"Now I will make Mr.. Harrison
a proposition. If he wishes to put
his views on these subjects before
the people We will pay for ons
hours broadcast time in which
Mr.. Harrison can state his views
and we will state ours. with the
time equally divided. This will
give Congressman Harrison a
chance to defend his record before
the people"