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The Brewery Workers Union, a dormant allied organization which woke up when beer came back, was ready to quit the Federation when it found that its teamsters, engineers and firemen were about to be handed over to the jurisdiction of A. F. of L. teamsters', engineers' and firemen's unions. The Amalgamated Clothing Workers, a strong independent organization with 130,000 members, was ready to add its numbers to the A. F. of L. But there was a hitch. A. F. of L.'s United Garment Workers demanded that Amalgamated unionists stitch no men's clothes. U. G. W.'s province.
Crisis came when Elizabeth Christman. secretary-treasurer of National Women's Trade Union League, arose with a resolution to revamp the Federation's traditional but awkward and archaic structure. She proposed a committee of seven "to map out general plans and policies for strengthening the united action of the regular craft unions, and at the same time for extending organization into those industries in which the present form of organization has obviously not been successful." The committee report on Miss Christman's resolution was likely to be epochal for the Federation.
"Cheap Dollars" were what "bothered'' soft-spoken President Green in his key-note speech. "Labor knows that this is a problem that affects us very vitally because we know that when dollars are cheapened commodity prices rise, but wages stand still. Until [the Government] can assure Labor that we will get more of these cheap dollars for the day's work we perform, so that it will conform to the increase of commodity prices, it is my judgment that Labor will stand unflinchingly against Inflation."
Laxity! Inefficiency! With one disgruntled voice, metal workers, shoeworkers, firemen & oilers, painters, paperhangers, electric railway employes, upholsterers and stage hands demanded that all $3,300,000,000 of the Federal Public Works fund be spent and spent at once. They truculently resolved "that this convention appeal to the President for the removal of those public officials . . . who either through their laxity or their inefficiency are responsible for much of the present unemployment . . . unless those now in charge show their willingness to carry out the intent of Congress!" Secretary of the Interior Ickes, chief target of this shot, replied sharply (see p. 12).
11 to 25. A. F. of L. conventions run smoother than most. President Green usually knows most of the delegates by name, listens to their proposals patiently, refers them to the limbo of his committees. One resolution which had a better chance of approval than most was a proposal to increase the Federation's powerful executive council from 11 to 25 members to democratize that body. Reason: the man who introduced it was President John L. Lewis of United Mine Workers, President Green's kingmaker.
Spleen. To enliven its conventions, the A. F. of L. does not put on Zouave parades or ladies' auxiliary bridge tournaments. It invites some foreign Laborite to give a good hell-raising address against some common foe. This year the guest was James Rowan, member of the general council of the British Trade Union Congress. His subject was Adolf Hitler. Said he: