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The Texas Observer AUGUST 18, 1967 a Journal of Free Voices a Window to the South 25C NOT LIKE IT USED to BE State Politicians Crowd Into Texas Labor's Spotlight

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The Texas Observer AUGUST 18, 1967 a Journal of Free Voices a Window to the South 25C NOT LIKE IT USED to BE State Politicians Crowd Into Texas Labor's Spotlight The Texas Observer AUGUST 18, 1967 A Journal of Free Voices A Window to The South 25c NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE State Politicians Crowd into Texas Labor's Spotlight Fort Worth the Starr county strikers that way. Chavez couple of days after the labor convention, The days when organized labor was said, of the Texas strike, "We have pos- told a Texas Liberal Democrats audience castigated as un-American, subversive, or sibly made more mistakes here than any that "I don't know if I will be a candidate communistic are past in Texas. Now the place we have tried to organize workers. for anything next year. I say this in all sin- unquestioned influence of the state Ameri- In the Rio Grande Valley the strike came cerity. I will not be a volunteer for can Federation of Labor-Congress of In- about overnight and we had to take it any Kamikaze missions." Spears had been dustrial Organizations has caused Texas over immediately, ... (We eventually are widely considered to be planning a state- politicians of all persuasions to treat the going to have a farm workers union, re- wide race of some sort next year, prob- labor group with respect it was nowhere gardless how long it lakes, regardless of ably for lieutenant governor or, .perhaps, near commanding a few years back. "I've how many Texas Rangers there are in Rio attorney general. He has been making seen state AFL-CIO conventions where you Grande City, and regardless of the poli- frequent speeches around the state this couldn't get an office holder in the same ticians who do not want-to help us." Roy year. His newly-expressed doubt about town," .t.1$ ,Sen. Ralph Yarborough told R. Evans, secretary-treasurer of the Texas a 1968 race is a surprise. How labor will the approximately 1,000 delegates to this AFL-CIO, said there are 350,000 unorgan- relate to statehouse elections next year year's labor convention here. "Now you ized farni workers in Texas. is most uncertain, but it does seem clear can't keep them away," he said. at this point that the AFL-CIO will con- On hand were several high Great Society centrate on the selected Congressional leaders and the top statehouse officials, AS TO 1968 politics, several races and on some legislative contests. excepting Gov. John Connally, who prob- points have become clear. Organized labor ably would have been here had he not in Texas is committed to President John- Another point in next year's races is been hunting in Africa. More than 40 of son's reelection next year, following. the that Texas labor will not necessarily back the 181 state legislators were on hand, lead of national labor leaders in this. all Democrats in any races with Repub- some of them sporting 0-16 voting records, Texas labor people oppose Gov. John Con- licans. Brown noted here that there are according to a recently-released AFL-CIO nally's reelection but express despair at recent instances in which Republican leg- assessment. Speaker of the Texas House the chances of any of the current crop of islators had better labor voting records Ben Barnes rented a suite of rooms at the political liberal challengers. Few persons than Democrats in their same areas. A convention and held an informal recep- here believed Senator Yarborough will run Republican with a 20% voting record is tion one afternoon. against Connally. Probably labor will preferable to a Democrat with 5%, Brown Perhaps the most significant action tak- spend more time and money trying to says. en here was the increase in state dues to defeat several of the 16 Texas • Congress- be paid by some 175,000 members of the men whom it does not support. It is organization. The members have been re- believed the AFL-CIO will concentrate on T HE MOST notable of the reso- quired to pay 20c monthly dues, 17c going the more vulnerable ones. Brown says lutions passed here were two backing to the state AFL-CIO general fund and 3c opinion polls are planned in several dis- liquor-by-the-drink and parimutuel horse- to the Committee on Political Education, tricts to determine likely targets. Three race betting. There was some behind-the- the organization's political arm. Delegates have already been cited—Joe Pool of scenes activity to stall approval of these approved an increase to 25c in the month- Dallas, Bob Casey of Houston, and Kika stands, on the basis that the resolutions ly dues; all of the 5c increase will go to De La Garza of Mission. A fourth might be merely give aid and comfort to Gov. COPE, largely to help finance a massive Richard C. White of El Paso. There was Connally, who is believed to have suffered voter registration drive the state labor hope expressed here that Olin E. Teague politically for his outspoken backing of organization is planning. About 70% of of College Station will soon accept a posi- the liquor plan and his rather well-known, the membership had already been paying tion with the Dept. of Agriculture. though largely tacit, backing of the pari- the 25c voluntarily. H. S. "Hank" Brown, mutuel measure. By floor amendment the As to statewide races labor leaders ap- latter resolution recommends that state Texas AFL-CIO president, says about pear to be dubious about the chances of funds derived from wagering be used to $100,000 has accumulated in a reserve leading liberal gubernatorial prospect provide free tuition at state junior col- account which will largely be used for Don Yarborough; he'll probably win labor voter registration; a matching amount can leges. The musicians union was particu- support next year, but may not get the larly interested in passage of the liquor- be borrowed from the national labor fed- fullest financial backing, given the inclina- by-the-drink resolution, believing that eration, meaning Texas labor could mount tion here to put labor money where it is such legislation would provide a boost a voter registration drive that will ap- most 'sure to have effect. Franklin Spears for nightlife and, thus, wider employment proach $200,000 in cost. as a candidate for lieutenant governor is Members attending the convention prospects for musicians. Another resolu- a happy prospect for labor people, but tion, one whose passage caused some bit- chipped in $5 each for the Valley farm there were highly favorable comments terness, favors the return of the Team- workers. Cesar Chavez, the union's found- about Fort Worth Rep. Don Gladden's ten- sters to the national labor family. The er, was given a $5,000 check for the Starr tative plans to run for the second spot. Teamsters were expelled about ten years county strikers. Brown urged union mem- Gladden told the Observer "I am consider- ago when the travails of James Hoffa be- bers to vote themselves a $1 per capita ing the possibility very seriously. gan. A Teamster official was here, but said assessment on returning home, saying Spears is not a major factor in determin- he wasn't at the convention to push the more than $200,000 could be raised for ing my decision at this time." Spears, a resolution. Particular bitterness at the passage of the resolution exists among Humphrey was unusually strict, much President had said he, Humphrey, didn't some Houston labor people; a seaman's tighter than for President Kennedy's ill- want the mayor on the same program. union and the Teamsters are competing fated visit here the night and morning Brown later hedged that he said that. A in organizing taxi drivers in that area. before he was assassinated. Women en- Humphrey aide later invited McKinley to Another resolution called for abolishing tering the ballroom were not permitted the air base. McKinley showed up at Cars- the Texas Rangers. to carry purses; many, unaware of the well, but not at the convention hotel. restriction until arriving for Humphrey's Pickets protesting the Vietnam war had Several components of the State AFL- speech, were charged a dime to check been expected, but the only demonstrators CIO held meetings of their own during or their purses. No one could leave the ball- were friendly. Some 75 Negro children before the convention. The building trade room until the speech was over. Police who participate in programs under the workers are considering a campaign to with loaded rifles stood vigil on buildings War on Poverty demonstrated with signs organize major contractors in Texas and and the route of the motorcade was not in praise of the poverty fight. three adjoining states. Brown and Root announced. Several newsmen were pre- Among those from Washington who Inc., Houston, was particularly mentioned vented from entering the ballroom for a as a target. The union's 37,000 members spoke here, besides the Vice President and time because their names were omitted Senator Yarborough, were Labor Secy. would chip in $1 annually to finance the by mistake from a list given to Secret drive, if implemented. The Texas Indus- Willard Wirtz, Cong. Jack Brooks of Beau- Service men. A Fort Worth reporter com- mont, and Cong. Jim Wright of Fort trial Union Council passed a resolution plained that she had covered several Worth. urging Gov. Connally "to take the full speeches by Presidents and Vice Presi- time as a lion hunter in darkest Africa dents and had never seen such tight se- Brown, in his report to the convention, instead of seeking a fourth term as rep- curity.
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