Evening star., 1950-01-14
Murray Asks Custer
OF Denham for Attack
On Pro-Union Rulings
BY the Assoeiatsd Press

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Robert N. Denham, general
counsel of the National Labor Re-
lations Board, was under sharp
attack from organized labor today,
but the NLRB members whose
policies he had denounced re-
manned silent.
/ CIO President Philip Murray
led labor's onslaught by demand
ing that Mr.. Denham be fired. for
the New York speech in which he
said that the board is distorting
the Taft-Hartley labor law by
handing down pro-union deci-
Sions.
The four members of the NLRB
"A fifth position is vacant-met
yesterday morning to discuss Mr..
Denham's blast, which blew into
the open conflict that has been
quitely simmering for nearly two
and a half years.
While they were said to be fum-
ing at the statement of the gen.
eral counsel, the board members
made no announcement after the
session.
Denham Also Silent.
Presumably they were awaiting
an opportunity or a face-to-face
talk with their chief prosecuting
officer. Mr.. Denham. due to re-
turn from New York this after
noon, also maintained silence.
Joseph A. Beirne, president of
the CIO Communications Workers
Of America. Joined Mr.. Murray
in demanding Mr.. Denham's
custer, while AL j. Hayes. head
Of the Independent International
Association of Machinists, said the
NLRB attorneys "partisanship"
points up the need for Taft-Hart-
ley repeal.
Mr.. Denham's position, a pow
erful voice in the Governments
labor management machinery,
was created by the 1947 law.
While his term runs until August
%, 1851. union attorneys claim
President Truman could fire him
before then.
Mr.. Murray and the other la
Dor leaders demanding Mr.. Den
hams dismissal were chiefly crit
ical Of what they said was his
open invitation to employers to
appeal unfavorable decisions to
the courts. They pointed out
angrily that it would then be Mr..
Denham's duty to defend the
boards rulings.
Murray Renews Demand.
Mr.. Denham did not make that
suggestion in so many words. But
he noted that unless board de-
cisions that the building trades
employers do not like are appealed
to the courts they become law.
The AFL had no comment on
the Denham speech.
But Mr.. Murray, who had
urged Mr.. Denham's removal from
Office two months ago, renewed
his demands in sharp terms.
Mr.. Denham. he said, has
again demonstrated his anti-labor
bias and his unfitness for office"
He said his removal is long over
due"
Mr.. Beirne wrote a letter to Mr..
Truman saying that based on
actual experiences and most re-
Gently by his speech = we con-
slider Mr.. Denham unit.
In the name of the CWA-CIO
and all others who suffer by his
actions. I urge you to dismiss
him"
Shocked by Statement.
Mr.. Hays said he was shocked
that the NItRB official would "use
his high Office to cast doubt on
the integrity Of that agency and
to agitate among employers to
nullify its work"
And noting that the Taft-Hart-
ley Act created Mr.. Denham's job,
Mr.. Hayes added:
ut Is high time the Congress
gave serious consideration to re-
pealing this ,ill-conceived act"
There was some speculation
that the NLRB members might
carry a protest to the White
House after meeting with Mr..
Denham. The board members
are Chairman Paul M. Herzog,
John M. Houston, James j. Rey-
nolds, jr., and Abe Murdock.