Evening star., 1952-12-02
Reuther Appears Sure
To Head Clio Despite
Fight for Haywood
By james Y. Newton
Stor StuH corrsspencent

ATLANTIC CITY, Dec. o.
Walter P. Reuther, dynamic head
of the United Automobile Workers
seemed assured today Of the presi-
ldency Of the CIO.
But diehard supporters Of Allan
Is. Haywood, CIO executive vice
president and opposition candi-
date. refused to give up, and some
of them promised a hot floor fight
Thursday when the CIO elects q
successor to the late Philip Muir
ray. Mr.. Murray, president o1
both the CIO and United Steel
workers. died In San Francisco
November 8.
The election of Mr.. Reuther. As
appeared certain after three size
able unions. previously uncommit'
ted in the bitter fight, decided Il
throw their support to him. These
were the United. Rubber Workers
the Oil Workers and the Brewer!
Workers.
This assured Mr.. Reuther of 6
majority of votes at the CIO con
vention. He made the following
brief statement:
Its shaping up just as WI
expected. It's going to be over
whelming."
Quill Directs Some Opponents.
However. sizeable portions Of th'
CIO, committed to Mr.. Haywood
longtime associate of Mr.. Murray
had not given up the fight. Thes'
included the powerful Steelwork
ers. Mr.. Murray's own, now headed
by Acting President David ]. Nc
Donald. the Communication
Workers and % small unions. Th'
small unions were working as ,
bloc for Mr.. Haywood under direc'
ton of Michael J. Quill. presiden
of the Transport Workers.
Reports continued that tn,
Steelworkers. second only to Auts
Workers in size in the CIO
would swing over to Mr.. Reuthel
rather than make a floor fight al
the convention. But some of thu
smaller unions said they woulc
place Mr.. Haywood's name ir
nomination Thursday regardless
of any deal which may be made
meantime"
The fight for the presidency SC
overshadowed anything else at the
convention that there scarcely was
any other business transacted.
Mr.. Haywood, presiding at the
big meeting. said he had discussed
with George Meany, new presi-
dent of the AFL, the possibility
of holding talks concerning
merger Of the two organizations
But DR.. Haywood said he hac
received no official invitation from
the AFL to begin the talks. Mr.
Meany told a radio audience last
night that he expected the CIC
to make the first move toware
initiating merger meetings. HI
said over the Mutual network tina
he would welcome" unity with
the CIO.
Mixed Reaction in Durkin.
Announcement of the appoint
ment of Martin P. Durkin as Sec
retary of Labor in the administra'
ton of President-elect Eisenhowel
brought mixed reaction from CIC
leaders.
None wished to be quoted, bu
many Of them were critical Of tn.
choice. An official statement wa
promised later today and indica'
tions were that it would be cooly
favorable to the appointment. Mr.
Durkin is president of the AFT
Plumbers and Steamfitters Union
i Mr.. Meany hailed the appoint
ment of Mr.. Durkin as splendid.
He called Mr.. Durkin an "out
standing trade unionist" ant
added:
!; "He is, ideally fitted by training
experience, ability and tempera
i. ment for his new post. Mr.. Dur
kin's appointment will inspire
confidence among the ranks O
|, organized labor in the express de-
. sire and determination of Presi
dent-elect Eisenhower to be fai
'to tho Natjn1's workers"