August, 1940, 1940

A dispute arose between Mitchell and Butler on the question of AF of L affiliation. Mitchell wished to create a new AF of L International, with which the STFU would, in turn, affiliate; Butler wanted direct affiliation. The merits of the two proposals were debated in the correspondence throughout the month until the NEC met in special session (31). The NEC also gave considerable attention to the problems at the Delta and Providence Cooperative Farms. Another issue of equal prominence in the August correspondence was the case of Robert L. Moore, a Missouri STFU organizer accused of accepting money from politicians, including those backing Senator Harry S. Truman, on the promise of swinging the union vote; see the minutes of Moore's trial before the Missouri County Central Council (Sept. 8). Finally, there are copies of statements before the House Committee on Interstate Migration by Mitchell, Brooks Hayes, John D. Rust, and Rupert B. Vance (14)