Evening star., 1951-09-25
AFL Ready 10 Propose
Resumption Of Talks
On Merger With Clio
By jones Y. Newton
Star Staff Correspondent

Stor Stoff Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25.-I
The American Federation of Labor
today was ready to extend the
olive branch to the CIO and pro-
pose that the two organizations
meet again soon to talk over
merger plans.
A full report on current differ
ences with the CIO was to be
presented by a special committee
to the AFL's convention which
will wind up its business late
today. The committee will sug-
geSt new unity talks and there
was little doubt but that the con-
vention would indorse the idea.
But few of the 800 delegates
here entertained hope that the
two big labor organizations would
get together soon. Actually rela-
tionS between them are colder
than at any time in recent years.
CIO Is Miffed.
The CIO did not like the way
the AFL Executive Council decid-
ed to withdraw its representatives
from the United Labor Policy
Committee, causing dissolution of
the committee through which the
AFL, CIO and rail unions had
fought for common legislative and
economic objectives in Washing
ton.
Carrying the break further. a
convention committee ecom-
mended that the AFL divorce it.
self from association with the CIO
In local and national political
campaigns. The implication was
that CIO support had hurt the
cause of the federation-ba backed
candidates. That did not set we'll
with the CIO either.
The AFL says that it wants
only organic unity of labor
merger of the two organizations,
and that so called functional
unity as exemplif1ed by the
working of the United Labor Pol
icy Committee will serve no useful
purpose and will only postpone
the day Of real unity.
Election Is No Contest.
Late today the convention will
eject officers for the coming year.
There was little question but that
President William Green, Secre-
tary-treaSurer George Meany and
the l3 present vice presidents
would be reelected. There is no
contest.
The convention laid preliminary
plans for vigorous participation in
next years national election. To
help finance the AFL's activities
the delegates boosted the per
capita tax paid into the federation
by member unions. That will
bring in nearly an additional 81
million.
In addition Labor's League for
Political Education, the AFL's po-
litical arm. will call on the mil
lion members to contribute a dol
lar each. Last year each member
was asked to give 81 and it brought
in something over 100000.
19 Senators Listed for Defeat.
The federation listed 10 Sena-
tors to be marked for defeat next
year if candidates more to labor's
liking can be persuaded to oppose
them. More than so House mem
bers also were listed as undesir-
ables.
Joseph D. keenan,, who is re-
tiring as director of the political
league, said a net gain of nine !,
seats "iS all we need for a friendly
Senate majority"
He classified the following as
enemies of labor" and "the men
who gave you Taft Hartley who
are up for reelection next year:
Republicans, Flanders of Ver-
mont, Martin of Pennsylvania.
Smith of New Jersey. Williams of
Delaware, Bricker of Ohio, Jenner
of Indiana, Butler of Nebraska,
KEN of Missouri, Mccarthy of
Wisconsin, Thye of Minnesota.
Ecton Of Montana, Watkins of
Utah, Cain of Washington and
Knowland of California.
Byrd Is Attacked.
Democrats, O'Conor of Mary
land, Byrd of Virginia, described
by Mr.. Keenan, as "the dean of
all the Dixiecrats";; Connally of
Texas. Stennis of Mississippi and
Holland of Florida.
Mr.. keenan, proposed the AFL
maintain a hands-off policy to-
ward the presidential election
until the two major parties have
selected their candidates.
He predicted that in the con-
gressional elections next year or
ganized labor has an excellent
chance to regain the ground we
lost in 1880"
Chairman Nathan P. Feinsinger
of the Wage Sterilization Board
warned the union leaders that the
WSB will not bow to pressures to
break its wage control policy.
Mr.. Feinsinger pointed out that
a review of present policy-allow-
ing wages to keep pace with living
costs-will be made next March.
G. O. P. Senators Challenge
AFL Leaders on Threat