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)

MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES 2365 Extracts From Digest of Minutes of Executive Council of American Federation OF Labor, October 15-24, 1945, Cincinnati, Ohio Pages 9-11 : * * * President Green reported that he has received the following letter from President Walsh : Int»:rnational At.ttance of Theatrical Stage Ejiployees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the United States and Canada, tfcio York, N. Y., October 12, 1945. Mr. William Green, "■• President, American Federation of Labor, M^'ashington 1, D. C. Dear President Green : 3. After I attended the meeting of the executive council of the American Federation of Labor in Chicago in August, I was informed that the executive council had decided that a committee of responsible representatives of the American Federation of Labor would be appointed by you for the purpose of making a thorough investigation and inquiry of the labor situation in Hollywood studios in view of the communistic and CIO infiltration among certain American Federation of Labor local unions there, the refusal of such local unions to abide by the rules of tneir international organizations, the defiance of such local unions of the decisions of the American Federation of Labor, and the failure of such local unions to carry out the policies of the American Federation of Labor on domestic and intei'national matters, and in some instances organizing and supporting viewpoints directly opposed to that of the American Federation of I>abor. I know from what you told me that you contemplated appointing such a ctmunittee soon, but I was (-(jinpellel to report to our general executive board at our last meeting, that no committee to that effect and for such purpose had yet been appointed. I desire to point out that the failure to appoint such an investigating committee for a thorough inquiry is, in my opinion, indicative of the unwillingness of the American Federation of Labor to face the serious situation confronting the bona fide labor movement of the west coast and will not aid in the settlement of the jurisdictional differences in dispute. I want to reiterate that I am prepared at all times on behalf of our organization to do all that is feasible within the honor of a responsible labor organization to resolve whatever disputes there may be between ourselves and any other legitimate labor organization. I think you will recognize that only by negotiation in good faith can be arrive at an appropriate conclusion. Ignoring the facts, fostering enemies within the family of labor, using force or political pressure — none of these things will have any effect upon our organization. We aim to do what is fair and just. We hope that the other organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor will do the same. On behalf of our organization I want to express to you our appreciation for your interest and many courtesies. Fraternally yours, Richard F. Walsh, International President. The council discussed the matter. Mr. Levy. I am o;oing to ask, with your permission, that Mr. Brewer continue readino; this for a few moments, Mr. Kearxs. Very Avell, Mr. Brewer (reading) : In his book. Red Fascism (p. 287), the chairman of the California committee pointed out that Herbert K. Sorrell had been identified by Rena M. Vale as active in the Unemployed Conference of Studio Unions, which Miss Vale said the Los Angeles Communist Party Trade Union Commission counted on to put over the Communist Party prograuL Life magazine for March 24, 1947, page 34, described Herbert K. Sorrell as a Conmiunist Party member. 2. Herbert K. Sorrell has come to the support of the Communist Party on at least one occasion. When J. W. Buzzell, secretary of the Los Angeles Central Labor Council, introduced a resolution and report at the forty-third annual convention of the AFL State Federation of Labor in Long Beach, Calif., in Septem 67383— 48— vol. 3 55