Bosses & Suites

As the country turned a wry eye on the American Federation of Labor, that organization of comfortable, well-heeled bosses, pious apologists, racketeers and honest laboring men moved in on Seattle for its 61st annual convention.

As President William Green's train arrived in the station, a brass band played loudly. Mr. Green, momentarily thrilled, discovered that it was the University of Washington band giving a send-off to its football team. Pausing long enough to promise newsmen that A.F. of L. would "take a strong stand against racketeering," he piled into a car and rolled off.

Headquarters were in the Olympic Hotel, where elderly Dan Tobin, boss of the teamsters, had already grabbed the best rooms. The Olympic's management had just redecorated its penthouse apartment and named it the Royal Suite, in the hope that the Duke of Windsor, Canada-bound might be the first occupant. The pent house contains seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, reception hall, bar, library, salon, dining room, recreation room, kitchen, service pantry and a terrace sprouting green grass, flowers and shrubs. By the time President Green arrived, Mr. Tobin and his party of eleven teamster officials (four with wives) were bouncing on the beds intended for the Duke and Duchess.

This week delegates got down to business. First item on the agenda was the report of the executive council, which said in part: "The executive council calls upon the officers and members of all organizations affiliated with the A.F. of L. to be vigilant and to guard against the employment of those who for selfish purposes seek to utilize the labor movement for the sole purpose of promoting their material welfare." Absent from the convention were:

>George E. Browne, A.F. of L. vice president and his aide Willie Bioff , who went on trial in New York charged with extorting $550,000 from film companies.

> David Dubinsky, head of the ladies' garment workers' union, who was punched in the nose last year at the New Orleans convention when he spoke out too loudly against A.F. of L. racketeering. "Saddened" Mr. Dubinsky stayed home.

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