Evening star., 1952-09-14
Stevenson Holds Edge
For AFL Endorsement,
William Green Hints
BY the Associated Press


NEW YORK, Sept. 13-AFL
President William Green, saying
his union probably will break
tradition to indorse a presidential
candidate this year, today gave
newSmen the impression that Gov.
Adlai Stevenson stands the best
chance.
Mr.. Green, discussing the forth
coming AFL convention at a news
conference, said it would be "in-
appropriate" for him to make any
comment as to what action it
might take.
He also steered clear of any
personal expression of favoritism.
However. his remarks on labor
matters gave rise to the feeling
that the Democratic nominee
presently is considered most suit
able for union support.
Both Nominees to Speak.
Both Gov. Stevenson and Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Repub-
lican nominee, are to address the
convention which opens here
Monday.
More than TOO delegates will
represent the AFL's eight million
members. and labor views ex-
pressed by the two candidates are
certain to have great bearing on
any convention endorsement.
While Gov. Stevenson now ap-
pears to have the inside track,
Mr.. Green indicated that Gen.
Eisenhower might enhance his
chances, depending on what he
has to say.
He said the convention would
not make up it's collective mind
until after the COP standard
bearer has had a chance to state
where he stands regarding the
Taft-Hartley law. The AFL, along
with most of organized labor, has
opposed the law since its passage.
Taft Hartley Is Issue.
Mr.. Green asserted that the
reason why a candidate endorse
ment is anticipated this year is
that the Democratic Party, at its
national convention. repudiated
the law while the Republican con-
vention endorsed it.
He said it was believed that
Gov. Stevenson, in his convention
address, would reiterate opposition
to the legislation.
AS for Gen. Eisenhower he said
1--WE refuse to accept the self
serving, face-saving statement
issued yesterday by Senator
Robert A. Taft as indicative OF
Gen. Eisenhower's views. We as
sumo that Gen. Eisenhower is
capable of stating his own posi-
tion and we hope he will do sc
when he appears before our con-
Vention."
The reference to the Ohio Re-
publican Senator-one of the
authors of the Hartley law
concerned a statement made by
him yesterday after he had con-
ferred with Gen. Eisenhower.
Met in Harmony Move.
Senator Taft and the general
who defeated him for the G. o. P
nomination. met in a harmony
move designed to swing Senator
Taft's full support behind Gen
Eisenhower.
After the talk, Senator Taft
read a statement concurred in by
Gen. Eisenhower - setting forth
that if Gen. Eisenhower is elected
there will be no repeal Of the
Taft-Hartley law but revisions
which would improve the law
without changing its "basic prin-
ciples."
The AFL hasn't taken sides in
q presidential election since il
backed Gov. Robert La Follette's
Progressive Party bid in 1924
though sometimes it has lent its
weight in congressional races.
For years the AFL constitution
prohibited prediction conven.
tions in presidential election
years. But in 1948, the conven.
tion which met following Presi'
dent Truman's victory changet
the rules. Now the AFL mus
meet just preceding a presidential
election.
The purpose is to give the unio,
q chance to get behind a candi
date if it desires.