BID FOR MERGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 5

BID FOR MERGER

U.S. LABOUR GROUPS POWERFUL RIVALS MEET ANTI-LABOUR MEASURES (11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 2. Ten of the nation’s most powerful labour leaders who have frequently battled one another vigorously met today to discuss a merger of the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations into a single federation of 13,500,000 members. The C. 1.0. originally requested the meeting to discuss unified opposition to restrictive labour legislation, with a merger a secondary consideration, but the A.F.L. president, Mr. William Green, regarded labour unity as of first importance and issued an invitation leading to the meeting. Holding the spotlight were the A.F.L. Mine Workers’ Association president, Mr John L. Lewis, and the C. 1.0. president, Mr. Philip Murray, _ who smoothed over a bitter feud lasting six years with a hand-shake. It is 12 years since Mr. Lewis broke away from the A.F.L. over the issue of organising the nation’s mass industries and formed the C. 1.0. It is six years since Mr. Murray, then Mr. Lewis lieutenant in the United Mine Workers and the C. 1.0., decided to remain with the C. 1.0. when Mr. Lewis and the U.M.W broke away later to realign with the A.F.L. Both Mr. Murray and Mr. Green have declared they have an open mind on the merger proposal. After conferring for five hours, the leaders adjourned their talks until tomorrow. , _ - At a press conference Mr. Green and Mr. Murray said they were united in their efforts to defeat the anti-labour legislation pending in Congress. Mr. Green said: “We have made definite progress in the promotion of an understanding and a genuine contribution to both questions of joint action against the anti-labour legislation and organic unity of the two S None of the other participants, including Mr. Lewis, would comment.