George Meany of AFL-CIO Appears Before Democratic Platform Committee

Transcript (Download)

And a final question of any special region or group.

Permit me to further explain that the AFL -CIO is committed to a strictly nonpartisan political policy.

We will not become a part of any political party, nor attempt to dominate any political party.

On the other hand, we will not permit any political party to dominate us.

The American trade union movement has a long history of active interest in political affairs.

We intend to intensify that activity this year and in the future.

Our political action program will be directed along these lines.

We will do our utmost to persuade union members and their families and friends to register and to vote.

We will distribute as widely as we can factual information on the candidates and the issues.

And we will endorse candidates for public office on the basis of their record and platform, regardless of political affiliation.

Foreign policy and national defense.

The hazardous situation in international affairs.

Labor squarely faces the fact that the threat to peace and freedom today stems from one source, Soviet Russia.

We are not deluded for one moment by the new faces the leaders of the Kremlin put on and take off like masks to fool the gullible into forgetting that the communist conspiracy still is aimed at world domination by any means, including war, and that the communists will never be satisfied with less.

In the continuing struggle between freedom and slavery, the American trade union movement can never and will never be neutral.

Therefore, we call for a stronger and more effective foreign policy toward these ends.

One, to unite the free peoples of the world in common language to this year's platform.

Discrimination or segregation based on race, color, creed, or national origin manifestly subverts our basic democratic principles as well as the constitution of our country itself.

Specifically, the efforts of certain individuals, groups, and even states to thwart the Supreme Court decision prohibiting racial segregation in the public schools must not be permitted to go untallant.

It is the clear responsibility of the federal government to see to it that the Supreme Court's ruling that segregation in the schools must be eliminated with all deliberate speed is complied with in every state and community in this country.

Failure on the part of this convention to specifically support this historic decision of the United States Supreme Court by direct reference would, in labor's opinion, be an evasion of this vital issue.

It is also up to the federal government to assure every citizen the right to register and to vote, the right to protection from mob violence, and the right to free access to the courts for enforcement of constitutional guarantees.

Labor urges both parties to give unequivocal support and opportunity to our own citizens here at home.

In the matter of civil liberties, we feel that effective measures can be taken to safeguard our nation against espionage and subversion without weakening in the slightest the fundamental individual freedoms inherent in the American way of life.

Security programs should lean over backward to protect the innocent.

Congress should prevent harsh and tyrannical treatment of witnesses before its committees.

In addition, steps should be taken to improve the operation of industrial security programs and to prevent employers from using them as anti -labor instrumentalities.

I have set forth here Mr.

Chairman and some right...

What's the matter with my friend George Harrison here? We're getting this too.

Governor, we want to see you.

We want to see you.

We want a picture of you and the President if you please.

We've got a picture right here.

Right out both of you right here.

This is great to see you.

How's that? Got a man now? Got a man.

There's several more.

Several more, sir? Candidates we never heard about? Oh no, they're all in the picture.

President, do you think it'd be safe to...

President, would it be safe to say we've been trying to get a little hint from you now for two days? Do you think it would be narrowed down between Governor Herrmann and Governor Stevenson? You can guess anything you like.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1200

Date Of Production

August 1956

Abstract

George Meany of the AFL-CIO attends the Democratic Platform and Resolutions Committee in 1956.

Description

This film shows George Meany, president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, as he reads a statement concerning AFL-CIO recommendations to the Democratic Platform and Resolutions Committee at the Sheraton Blackstone Hotel in Chicago on August 10, 1956. The film concludes with a press conference wherein reporters ask former Governor Adlai Stevenson and former President Harry Truman to pose for photographs and to comment on the convention activities.

Run Time

0:07:12

Format

16mm

Extent

300 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Negatives

Genre

Political
Journalism

Form

Speeches
Outtakes

Subject

Civil rights
Labor unions
Politicians
Politics and government

Related Collections

SUBSERIES I: Politics & Government

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Meany, George (is participant)

Stevenson, Adlai II (is participant)

Truman, Harry S. (is participant)

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