Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-04
Union Finance
ReporfsUrgIed
By. Mcclellan
BY CECIL HOLLAND

Senator Mcclellan, Democrat
of Arkansas. said today he fav-
ors legislation to make finan-
cial reports, Of unions available
for public inspection.
Findings thus far of the Sem
ate committee investigating
wrongdoing in labor and man.
agement. which has centered its
attentions on the Transfers
Union, indicate this would serve
as a safeguard of the funds Of
dues-paying members. Senator
McClellan said. The Senator
heads the committee.
Il think the records should
be available" he added. They
should be public documents in
the agency where they are de-
posted"
Unions are now required I'M
der the Taft Hartley Act to file
annual financial reports with the
Labor Department. However.
these are available only to Gov
eminent agencies and members
of the unions filing the report.
Only about 200 members in the
last 10 years have sought to
inspect the records.
Wants Pension Reports
Senator Erwin, Democrat Of
North Carolina, a member of
the committee. said he favored
legislation to insure democratic
elections within the unions. He
also said he favored changes in
the law to require that reports
on pension and welfare funds be
made available for public in
'Spection.
Senator Erwin reserved judg-
ment on whether other financial
reports of unions should be made
public since similar reports by
corporations are kept in conf
dence.
Senator Mcclellan said the
committee staff is pushing its
investigation into the financial
affairs of Dave Beck. president
Iof the Transfers Union. as well
as spreading its inquiries into
other labor management situa-
lions In New York and elsewhere.
The Senator took occasion to
SAY that reports that John Eng
lish. secretary-treasurer of the
Transfers. had been clipping
of" the committee in its inves-
tigRtion Of Transfers affairs
gave a wrong impression OF CO.
operation received from the
Teamster official.
Positively he has not gratui-
tously given US any information, .
Senator Mcclellan said. He
has only co-operated when we've
called on him for information
which he was in a position to
supply. In other words, he
hasn't assumed the attitude of
taking the Fifth Amendment"
The Senator referred to Beck's
resort to the Fifth Amendment
and refusal to answer questions
on grounds Of possible self
determination when he was a
witness last week before the
committee.
In a lengthy signed letter In
the April issue OF the Teamster,
the unions publication, Beck
makes no reference to having
AIKEN the Fifth when testifying
before the committee. He de-
votes the substance of his ar
ticle to what he called a drive
now underway in Washington
and elsewhere to pass "restric-
tive laws" against labor. includ-
ing right-to-work legislation.
Shows Bill Of Rights
The magazine reproduces on
its front page the Bill of Rights
and contains an inside story en-
titled, Senator Duff Explains
Purpose Of Fifth Amendment. /"
Transfers Union officials will
have an opportunity May 8 to
answer charges that their Or
SANITATION is dominated by cor
Irupt influences.
A hearing for. the union has
been set for that date by the
AFL-CIO Ethical Practices Com
mittee.
Beck himself faces a hearing
by the AFL-CIO Executive Coun-
Gil May 20 on charges Of bring
Ing the labor movement into
disrepute.
Meanwhile, more than so in
'vestigators for the Senate COM
Imittee continued its inquiries
into labor activities on many
fronts, including Beck's own
Ia q 10