St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1955-09-09

y
Meany, who is scheduled
and the CLIO pledged that the COM
bined organizations would dedi-
cate a portion of their efforts to
strengthen democracy by a con-
tinuing battle for federal civil
rights legislation.
Answers Merger Critics
Meany said that fears that the
AFL-CIO merger would create a
powerful political bloc to domin-
ate the country were groundless.
He said he was unalterably OPP
posed to any economic, racial or
labor group dominating America.
He said that of course he was for
political action by labor but that
it was not the purpose of such ac-
ton to establish a political dicta-
torship Of one group over another.
Urges Election of Liberals
On the other hand the AFL
leader said that if progress in ed
ucation, housing and civil rights
was to continue, the nation would
have to elect liberals to congress.
He cited the record that the
over 100 civil rights bills were in
troduced in the recent session of
Congress by liberal legislators.
He criticized the failure of
Congress to hold hearing on any
of the bills or allow them TO reach
the floor.
The merged unions. Meany said,
will continue to press for federal
legislation on civil rights by Con-
gress.
Supreme Court Decision
The May II, 1854 decision of the
U. s. Supreme Court outlawing
race segregation in public schools
was the greatest advance in hu-
man relations which has been
made in our times, Meany said.
The decision also presents
many problems the speaker aver
red, which the entire nation must
help solve.
Favors Federal school Aid
Meany declared he favored Fed
eral Aid to states which must re-
vamp their school programs to
comply with school desegregation.
However, he was opposed to
Federal aid to states which seek
to evade the Supreme Court de-
cision.
The only way to protect the
gains offered by the court deci-
sion Is for the people to elect lib
eral Congressman and Senators,
the labor leader said.
Meany charged both parties had
exhibited bad faith for falling to
keep their platform promises on
civil rights legislation.
The AFL leader praised the Ma
tiona Urban League and its so
affiliates on the contribution the
organization has made to the pro-
gress Of the Negro and the ma
ton.
However, Meany said that
while much progress has been
made, much remains to be done.
Not only do the trade unions
and the Negro have a common
course; they also have common
enemies which together they
will be able to defeat, Meany
said. working together with, re-
sponsible management and in
dustry and other segments Of the
American population which be-
heves in social justice.
Meany declared that the labor
unions which still practice race
discrimination have almost dis
appeared in The ALL
He said that the constitution
of the merged AFT-CIO organi-
cations would declare against any
form Of race or religious discrim-
nation
The merger proposals include
the establishment of civil rights
commission, Mr.. Meany stated
which will implement the constitu'
tional provisions against discrim'
nation.
Meanys address was widely
praised by delegates here.
Confab Notes
There are 200 official delegate:
20 the conference being held her,
at the city's largest hotel, th'
Schroeder.
Minnesota, with a group Of p
persons. Is playing its usual &C
tive part in the sessions.
Lillian Balenger. ST. Paul wo
man. Is presiding over the sessions
Of the National Council Of Guild,
Of which she Is president
Ashby GasbSins Of Minneapolis
as president Of the Industrial sec
re,ares council has directed th'
meetings Of that group.
Caxkins gave the report on IN
Urban Leaga. Commission OF
Employment and Industrial ReiA
tons Tuesday afternoon.
Shelton Granger OF the Mime
spols Urban League substitutes