Labor leaders

United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis after appearing before the House Labor Committee. Shown at left is Rep. Robert Ramspeck, Georgia. Mr. Lewis had denounced President Truman's bill to set up fact-finding boards in major labor disputes as "an evil, foul-smelling mess", which he didn't think could be "poured down the throats of the American people". He said that this bill would be the first drastic thrust of the knife of absolutism into the heart of a free America and an attempt to place labor in legislative irons." From: Beth Gore.

John L. Lewis (standing), President of the United Mine Workers, gets his point across at a Labor-Management Conference. From: Beth Gore.

Long labor rivals, John L. Lewis (right), the United Mine Workers President, and William Green, President of the A.F.L., are shown at the opening session of the Labor-Management conference. From: Beth Gore.

John L. Lewis, President of the United Mine Workers, entering the White House for a conference with President Truman. It was Mr. Lewis's first visit to the White House in four years. From: Beth Gore.

Alvanley Johnston, left, head of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and A. F. Whitney, head of the Brotherhood of Trainmen, talk to reporters following their visit to the White House when President Truman ordered government seizure of the nations railroads.

No transportation problems worried the leaders of the two striking railroad unions, Alvanley Johnston, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and A. F. Whitney, President of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, because they did their traveling afoot to conferences in efforts to settle their wage dispute. In the image at left, Johnston (left) and Whitney walk outdoors; at right, Whitney (left) and Johnston walk indoors. From: Beth Gore.

National Commander Paul H. Griffith, shown here, telling a press conference that the American Legion would "start from scratch" and cooperate with General Omar N. Bradley, Veterans Administrator, in carrying out VA programs. He indicated the Legion would "let bygones be bygones" and discontinue the running battle carried on against Bradley by former Commander John Steele. From: Beth Gore

American Federation of Labor President William F. Green endorsing the Wagner-Ellender-Taft Housing Bill. He also urged that the home purchase interest rate be reduced to 3 1/2% and that the maturity be extended from 25 to 32 years. From: Beth Gore

American Federation of Labor President William Green was presented the Medal of Merit for his contribution to labor's war effort in ceremonies at the War Department. The presentation was made by Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson. From: Beth Gore

William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor, is shown leaving the White House after a conference with President Truman. From: Beth Gore