Evening star., 1950-08-19
Printers Convention
Discusses Changing
Strike Vote Rules

L Ilc 4lCCI IldOlO1ldl 4yPOSI dPill-
cal Unions 92d annual convention,
which opened here today, received
proposal that locals decide on
strike action by votes of a simple
majority instead of three-fourths
of the membership.
The suggested change was spon-
sored by the conventions Com
mittee on Laws and repeatedly has
the backing of ITU President
Woodruff Randolph and his fellow
officers. 1t is one of more than
100 propositions that will be voted
on by the convention at sessions
next week.
Mr.. Randolph, who opened the
convention with a denunciation OF
the Taft Hartley Act and special
criticism of the National Labor
Relations Board. won an early
test of strength. Several men,
bers objected to his appointment
of an appeals committee of seven
members to rule on varioHS ma
jor disputes that might arise dur
ing the week-long convention
They declared that more
democratic" procedure would be to
have such a committee nominated
from the floor.
Would Affect Settlement Vote.
On a voice vote, however, Mr.
Randolph declared that the ma
jority upheld his appointment OF
the committee. He commented
that similar objections had been
raised at previous conventions by
groups that wanted to determine
the relative strengths Of the Pro-
gressives and Independents, the
two principle factions in the In
ternational union.
The proposal concerning strike
votes also would apply to local
union voting on strike settlements
or recommend changes in pay
scales.
Mr.. Randolph made his speech
denouncing the Taft Hartley Act
and particularly of its enforcing
officer, Robert N. Denham, be-
fore the 400 delegates at the May
flower Hotel.
AS a support for their fight on
the Taft-Hartley Act. the printers
had a message from President
Truman, renewing his promise to
seek repeal of the measure.
Feuding Since 1947.
The ITU was the first big union
to run afoul of the labor law. in
1947. Its leaders have been feud-
ing ever since with Mr.. Denham,
who is general COUNCIL Of the
National Labor Relations Board.
In general, the trouble stems
from ITU efforts to cling to the
unions traditional closed shop in
commercial print shops and news
paper composing rooms. The
Taft Hartley law bars the closed
shop-an arrangement under
which only union members may
be hired.
But the union has made con-
tracts even under the act in effect
retaining an all-union hiring ar
rangement.
Mr.. Randolph. in statement
prepared for the convention open
ing, said that a shameless and
brazen combination continues.
with it's activity unabated," be-
tween Mr.. Denham and employer
associations.
Links Him to Publishers.
He said "the constant harping
of the American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association appears to
have induced the NLRB itself to
give Denham p new opportunity
to wage his destructive war
against the union"
Mr.. Randolph recalled the
board has directed Mr.. Denham to
seek a court order to enforce a
board decision requiring the ITU
to drop any efforts to obtain a
closed shop agreement.
That means Denham will try to
get court approval and enforce
ment of his phony interpretations
of the law instead of the boards
Randolph said.
He said he saw no reason for
changing the unions policy,
adopted in l947, not to use the
Taft Hartley law. That includes
refusal to file non-Communist affi-
davits which are required of union
officers as a condition to a unions
using facilities of the NLRB.
Mr.. Randolph. in his opening
address to the convention. dis
closed that for the first time in
the AFL unions history there will
be a minority report challenging
"the way we count the funds
spent for special assistance to
local unions"
He declared that he and his
fellow officers were confident that
the methods are businesslike and
the funds in good order.
O'COnnor Greets Delegates.
The convention was opened by
William Field, Government
Printing Office employe, who is
general chairman of arrange
mentS.
James J. O'Connor, president of
Columbia Typographical Union
Local 101, welcomed the dele
gates.
Publisher Notes Cordiality.
Others who welcomed the dele
gates were John R. Evans, vice
president of the Columbia Typo
graphical Union; Joseph T. Lins.
secretary-treasurer of that union;
Granville Guide, representing the
Washington Board of Trade; c.
S. Preller, president of the Central
Labor Union here; Inspector Clar-
ence Lutz, representing the Met
ropolitan Police Department.; Wal
dron E. Leonard, representing the
District Commissioners; Walter
F.. McArdle president of the