National Affairs: So Does Mr. Moreschi

Joseph V. Moreschi, head of A.F. of L.’s 250,000-strong hod carriers and common laborers union, not only defeated his critics last week but answered them with winged, not to say haloed, words.

Like many an A.F. of L. boss Mr. Moreschi has been accused of running his union in an undemocratic manner (TIME, Sept. 22). President of the hod carriers for the past 15 years, he had never been elected. He and his six vice presidents, who were appointed, had continued themselves in office by simply reappointing each other. As his union met in convention last week a rank-&-file revolt threatened, but Mr. Moreschi quickly squashed it and, with the backing of A.F. of L. President William Green, triumphantly won the first election the hod carriers had had in 30 years. After a floor demonstration which brought tears to Mr. Moreschi’s eyes, the hod carriers’ pious president proclaimed:

“You have exonerated me of lecherous attacks on me by scurrilous people who have no heart for the toilers. These attacks vere attempts to destroy our movement and turn it over to outside interests. . . . Christ said: ‘Forgive them for they know not what they do.’ So do I.”