Evening star., 1952-11-10

Philip Murray. who died sud-
denly yesterday in San Francisco,
became a big-time labor leader
in his own right when he moved
away from the bulky shadow of
John L. Lewis in 1910.
In the years since Mr.. Murray
grew in stature and influence to
the point where he became a lead
ing figure in American life. His
tory will describe him as one of
the three or four men who played
the top roles in the great growth
of labor unionism in the country.
His influence was felt in nearly
every walk of life.
He was friend and adviser of
the late President Franklin D.
Roosevelt. In the last few years
he was allied closely with Presi-
dent Truman and his Fair Deal"
Mr.. Murray's word carried great
weight with both Presidents.
At least four big strikes were
led personally by Mr.. Murray. The
first was a bloody affair against
some steel corporations in 1887
when the CIO was fighting for
recognition. The other three were
since the war. also in the steel
industry, including the two-month
strike ending last July. Mr.. Muir
ray had much to do with setting
postwar industrial wage patterns.
Mr.. Murray and Mr.. Lewis
were fast friends for 80 years.
Both were coal miners and prod
ucts Of the United Mine Workers
rough and tough school of trade
unionism. AFL President Williaml
Green, che third member of
labor's "big three" has the same
background.
Built Up Powerful Union.
Mr.. Lewis, as president. and Mr..
as vice president for 2OI
years, teamed up to build the
UNIV into perhaps the most pow
erful union in the country. They
worked together in founding and
building the CIO in the great
mass-production industries, prin-
cipally in the steel and automobile
plants. Together they went
through strikes, lockouts, violence
and bloodshed.
Then in the early 1940s. the
break came. Mr.. Lewis stepped
down as head of the still-infan-
tile CIO, virtually naming Mr..
Murray his successor. It is prob
able that the older Mr.. Lewis
thought tnat he could still rule
the CIO through his one-time
pupil" but such was not the case.
Mr.. Murray was quick in showing
he had q mind of his own. Diff
ferences Of opinion changed to
bitterness, and the last 10 years
they had not spoken.
Aside from the similarity of
background, two men more un-
like than Mr.. Murray and Mr..
Lewis would have been difficult to
The outspoken Mr.. Lew
is is belligerent, hot-headed, often
intemperate and ruthless in going
after objectives. Outwardly as
cold as steel. he has very few per-
sonal friends.
Mr.. Murray was softspoken and
gentle. He was much more tact
full than his old associate. He
was deeply religious. Just as ar
dent a ur1ionist as Mr.. Lewis ever
was, he used courage and caution
to climb to the $25. 1000 "a year
presidency of the United Steel
workers of America and the nom
salaried job as president Of the
CIO. On occasion he could be
Just as stubborn as the miners
He showed single
mindedness. Mr.. Lewis boosted
him to the top of the labor busi-
ness. but once he was there Mr..
Murray carried on under his own
power.
Was Born in Scotland.
Tall, scholarly Mr.. Murray was
born in Blantyre, Scotland, on
May Is, 1886. Both parents we're
of Irish descent. A soft Scottish
burr" characterized his speech.
His father was a coal miner and
president of a union local in Scot
land. Mr.. Murray once said that
his earlier vivid recollection was
that of going to a strike meeting
at the age of with his father.
There settlement was an
nounced, giving the miners an
increase of IL cents a day, bring
ing the daily wage to $1.65,
Young Phil left school at the