Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

2362 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES (The matter referred to is as follows :) Extracts From Digest of jNIinxttes of Executive Council of America Federation OF Labor. April 30 to May 8, 194."), Washington, D. C. Page 63 :. The council discussed tlie matter with President Lindelof. Vice President Weber made a statement in regard to the situation existing in Hollywood in the motion-picture industry and the basic agreement which was made between the crafts and the studios. Vice President Weber expressed the oi)inion that the painters' representative, Sorrell, is a known Communist, and the danger is that Mr. Sorrell and others finally may begin to call in the CIO, as the CIO is trying to get a foothold in these studios. President Lindelof stated that he wanted to say for Sorrell that, while it is true Si)rrell is a great friend of Harry Bridges, all of his activities with these studios have been for the American Federation of Labor. It was suggested that the executive council call President Walsh in to meet with the council and tell him the story. Page !>7: President Walsh charged that Mr. Sorrell is a Communist and at one time tried to knock out the A. F. of L. law where you cannot have Communists in the council there. He contended that Mr. Sorrell supports everything that Harry Bridges sets out to do. Page 1)9 : Vice President Weber stated that lie lives in Beverly Hills and knows the situation out there in Hollywood and stated plainly what is involved. He contended that the organization formed by Mr. Sorrell out there was for the purpose of breaking down the international organizations in the studios which is what Sorrell is out for. He stated the Communists are trying to use the Communists in the organization to break the power of our international unions in the studios. Tlie council considered the matter for some time. Extracts From Digest of Minutes of Executive Council of American Federation OF LABOR, Altgust 0 TO 14, 1945, Chicago, III. Pages 8, 9, and 10: President Green reported that the following letter was received from President Walsh : New York 20, N. Y., June 6, 19',5. Mr. George Meany, Secretary-Treasurer, American Federation of Lnhor, Washinf/ton J, D. C. (Attention of the executive council.) Dear Sirs and Bkothers : Because of the very serious nature of the situation existing in Hollywodd, I felt it de.;-iral)le to call the general executive boai'd of our international tcgether before replying to your recent letter. We held a meeting last week and the matter was completely canvassed in all of its various ramifications. The board members were of the unanimous opinion that everything honorably feasible to solve this matter, in cooperation with the officials of the American Federation of Labor, should be done in order to retain the close relationship which has existed between the International Alliance and the American Federation of Labor over the past 50 years. I want to assure you that everything we can possibly do to accomplish this end will be done. There are, however, a great many problems connected with the situation in Hollywood which the board feels must be considered and to attempt any unilateral action on our part such as you propose in your letter would in their opinion not only not solve the existing problems but would undoubtedly create additional problems for the American Federation of Labor as well as the International Alliance. The general executive board members asked me many questions pertaining to the Hollywood motion-picture studio situation, some of which I could not answer. I have accordingly been requested to write you in order to get the desired information. Among the questions which must be an.swered before any real solution to the problem can be found are the following: