Evening star., 1952-12-04
Reuther Seems Sure
Choice Of Clio as
Successor TO Murray
BY jones 7. Newton
Stor Stcff Correspond0nt

ter P. Reuther. fiery head of tht
United Automobile Workers, ap
parently was assured of election
today as president of the CIO
with or without opposition.
A few hours before the bal.
loting was due to start. dieharc
opponents of Mr. Reuther KEEP
up the fight to head off his elec.
ton as successor to the late Philip
Murray. But the votes of a ma
jority of the 700 CIO convention
delegates apparents were stacked
against them
There Stin was the possibility
that the forces of Allan S. Hay.
wood. CIO executive vice presi.
dent and Mr.. Reuther'S only op-
ponent, would surrender without
a contest on the convention floor
Seek to Avoid Fight.
Neutrals in the presidential race
fearing bitter floor fight might
lead to permanent split in the
organization still were trying
feverishly to persuade the Hay
wood supporters to capitulate.
But the last word from the Hay
wood camp was that they were
determined on a last-ditch strug-
gle for victory. That word came
from David j. Mcdonald. acting
president of the United Steelwork-
ers. His union. which also was
headed by Mr. Murray before his
death November 9. makes up the
bulk of the opposition to Mr.. Reu-
ther.
The Reuther people. with an
apparent majority of votes in their
pocket. said Mr.. Mcdonald simply
was "whlstling in the dark" and
predicted there would be no floor
fight. The CIO has had no roll
call vote in its IA years of exist
ence. II
Move FOr% Amendment.
There even was a move, which,
apparently. will be approved by
the convention, to amend the CIO
constitution in an effort to pla-
cate Mr.. Haywood and his sup
porters. 1t would make the posi-
tion now held by Mr.. Haywood
executive vice president, a perma-
nent elective post. The job was
created by the convention last
year, and is now filled by appoint
ment of the president.
Some of the powers of the preSi-
dent also would be given over tc
the executive vice president. Also
there would be provision for more
frequent meetings of the CIO Ex-
ecutlve Board. The board can
overrule the president, so this also
would have the effect of some
what limiting the presidents pow
ers. Another probable provision
would give more power to the
smaller unions in the CIO, most
Of which now are backing Mr.
Haywood.
Much of the, bitterness so far
engendered at the convention has
been directed by the Haywood
supporters at CIO Secretary
Treasurer James B. Carey, who
also is president of the Interna-
tlonal Union of Electrical Work.
erS Mr. Carey has thrown, his
support to Mr.. Reuther. Earlier
he had been expected to back Mr.
Haywood. There was talk that a
candidate might be put up against
Mr.. Carey. o. that he would with
draw in an effort to appease the
Haywood forces.
Discounts Fears.
David L. Cole, director of the
Federal Mediation Service. pre-
dlcted that the fears of labor that
hard ''1ys lie ahead" as re-
suit Of the Republican election
victory would prove to be un-
founded.
Mr.. Cole, Republican who may
retain his post in the Eisenhower
administration. said that "one of
the outstanding qualities of Gen.
Eisenhower is his ability to make
strongly hostile groups behave ra-
tionally for their common good" "
He forecast that the generals tai
entS would go a long way toward
perSuading labor and management
to forget their differences and
work for the common good of the
country.
Gov Adlai E. Stevenson, who
was supported by the CIO, said
yesterday that the election defeat
should not be considered a dis
aster or even a misfortune for
labor"
What would be misfortune
and perhaps even disaster" Gov.
Stevenson added. would be to
think so, and lose sight of labors
larger responsibility to a Nation
which is also cropping its way into
new era"
Warns on Old Habits"
Gov. Stevenson, who took part
in memorial services for Mr. Mul =
ray. warned labor that 1t must pu.
aside some habits Of thought
and methods of the PAST" and
live up to its responsibilities in
the new political era.
An amusing incident III con-
nection with the hot election
battle took place late yesterday
as the convention was recessing
for the day. Reporters in the
pressroom, adjacent to the con-
vention floor, heard the voice of
Emil Rieve, CIO vice president,
over the loudspeaker
las a result of the Dallotin2
just completed the newsmen
we're startled to hear Mr. Rieve
say. Il declare Walter P RI uther
president of the CIO for ensuing
year"
II turned out that Mr. Rieve
was just practicing before cam
eras for a telecast tonight. An
aide explained he had a similar
script prepared in event Mr.. Hay
wood wins.