Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-09-30
Holds Reuther Drive
Worth Watching
Writer Sees Labor Politicians
Dominating ADA
By Fronk r. Kent

In its latest issue the Union. which
is published in indianapolis and claims
to be ''the oldest labor newspaper in
the United States" fiat-footedly makes
certain rather remarkable statements
about the lanor-boss domination Of the
so-called Americans for Democratic Ac-
ton. which while rumored for long
time has not previously been given this
kind of publicity.
Considering the nobility Of its pro-
fessed purpose its proclaimed political
independence and the high character
of its president, Francis Biddle, Attor-
ney General under the late Mr.. Roose-
welt. the charges made by the Union
would seem to call for some kind of
answer from the ADA. The chief
of these is that the Americans for
Democratic Action receive one-third OF
their financial support directly from
the unions. that United Labor Policy
Committee" members, Walter Reuther.
James B. Carey. A. j. Hayes and Emile
Rieve, are all on the National Board
of the ADA: that David Dubinsky.
tire labor movements foremost So
cialist," is also on that board; that
with Dubilsky backing him, Reuther
dominates the ADA with an undis-
puted hand
If these assertions are true, the wide
ly proclaimed independence OF the
ADA is a hollow sham and what it
actually has become is the open political
arm of the new labor crowd which fol-
lows Reuther and Carey Of the CLIO and
Dubinsky of the AFL. The Union fur
ther insists that ADA is now thinly
disguised socialistic outfit which ex-
poets to be the dominating force in
American national politics not later
than 1856 and to elect Walter Reuther
President of the United States
There may be no truth in this charge
of socialism but it Is indisputably true
that from its inception the labor bosses.
particularly those Of the CLIO, have
been influential in the ADA; that the
former left-wing New Dealers who have
been pushed to the front In the organ
ization have in the past worked hand
and glove with these labor bosses; that
some of these labor bosses are chock-
full of personal political ambition and
cherish visions Of an American labor
party along British lines.
This was made clear year ago IN
the great labor campaign against eena-
tor Taft in Ohio.
The allegation in the Union that
the same labor bosses who ran the cam
paign against Taft have now taken over
the ADA and are planning to use 1t
as the nucleus for the American labor
party movement in 1856 is the first sign
since the Taft election that the plans
of these ambitious labor bosses have by
no means been abandoned. On the con-
trary, they appear more determined than
before. The mere fact that after the ter
rife beating which they took in Ohio last
year they could still be working In the
same direction is evidence of how deeply
, rooted the idea is and the extent to
which they are prepared to go. II they
had beaten Senator Taft instead Of hav-
ing been badly beaten by him, OF course,
they would have been much farther adj
vanced toward the labor party than they
are now. AS a matter of fact, if they had
then won it is difficult to see how they
could have been prevented from dom
mating the whole American political
scene. ... ...
The demonstration in Ohio that they
can be defeated, even when united and
fully equipped, has certainly lessened
that danger That is why the list Of 19
Senators whom the AFL recently an
nounced it intended to drive out OF
public life" in 1852 created slight interest
and no alarm Threats of that kind
no longer seem as serious as they used
to. 1t is true the labor bosses still exert
great influence in the Democratic Party
management and that Mr.. Truman is
playing ball with them. But it has been
shown that they do not always control
the rank and file Of the unions, and If
the charges of the Union are well based,
there will be strong rank-and-flle oppo-
sition to any "Reuther for President"
movement. Perhaps stranger things have
happened in our political history than
the election of Mr.. Reuther as President.
Certainly wide variety Of inadequate
men have aspired to the presidency
and some have been elected. So, absurd
as it now seems, it does not do to sweep
the suggestion aside as an utter impossi-
bility, And, at any rate, it is useful to
know the facts.