Evening star., 1950-08-24
Battle 10 Force ITU
To Detail Finances
Loses at Convention

The International Typographical
Union convention here today de-
feated an attempt by several dele
gates to force detailed publication
of union finances.
The convention also upheld the
unions present administration by
rejecting proposals to compel
local unions to combine in negoti-
ating contracts or calling strikes
against newspaper chains and
owners of printing plants in more
than one community.
Officers urged that there be
voluntary collective action of that
kind. They declared, however,
that "the many uncertainties" in
specific situations could be solved
only by the local union in the
community affected. The issue
arose in plea by Miami printers
who are striking against publishers
who own newspapers in other
cities.
Endless Law Suits"
Heading for adjournment to-
morrow, the 92d annual meeting
at the Mayflower Hotel "sympa-
thized" with delegates who have
been or might be sued for libel
for charges made at convention
sessions. /.
But the a1aaiority decfdel that
the fTU should not have TO provide
funds for such defense cases
Speakers declared it would "be
too tempting to lawyers and man.
agement to involve the union in
endless law suits"
The proposal for detailed dis
closures of union finances aroused
a vigorous debate. Advocates
protested that. even so far as
union members are concerned,
there is too much secrecy now"
Opponents said that detailed
publication of finances would give
too much information to en-
ployers and be just as bad as
If the United States Government
gave the enemy a report on how
a war Is being conducted"
Still Must Be Approved.
A salary boost resolution was
adopted late yesterday after the
adopted late yesterday. However,
it still must be approved by
the union membership. Somewhat
similar moves have been rejected
in membership referendums in re-
cent years
The ITU president and secre-
tary-treasurer now get $4,000 a
year each. The first vice president
receives $500, the second vice
president. $500, and the third
vice president $500 a year. The
newly voted scale, subject to ref
erendum approval, would be on
q weekly basis as follows: Presi-
dent and secretary-treasurer, $3.50
week. and the three vice presi-
dents 5000 a week each.
A delegate asked for a roll call
"to put each of us on record" !"
President Woodruff Randolph
ruled that a sufficient number of
delegates did not support the
motion.
Sliding Scale Rejected.
Before passing the resolution,
the convention rejected a proposal
that would have put the inter-
national officers salaries on
sliding scale. That would have
made them about double the basic
salary received by the highest
paid president of any ITU local
union.
The floor discussion indicated
that most delegates favored salary
increases for the international Of
f1cers, despite the laws committees S
recommendation that the prop
osition be defeated. One speaker
complained the officers now re-
ceive "coolie wages" in comparison
to the amount and complexity
of their full-time duties.
Another delegate declared that
"the small salaries we pay our
officers give our employers talk
ing point when we ask higher
wages in contract bargaining"
The convention upheld a ruling
by President Randolph against
consideration of proposals for pay
ment of pensions to employees of
the ITU itself. He held such
change in the unions constitution
must be approved first in a men,
bership referendum.
The Randolph administration
also was upheld when the conven-
ton rejected a move by the Den
yer (ColoD delegation to ban
proof READERS from union mem
bership unless they are practical
printers" A requirement of that
kind was struck out several years
ago by an ITU convention.