Show LAUGHS LAUGH'S POLITICAL LEVERAGE The Thc extra political clout given President George Georgc as a result of labors labor's support at the thc polls last fall of an unusually large number of successful pro pro labor labor candidates may conceivably have given him too much confidence While he is admittedly the voice of American labor some of his recent pronouncements seem to be little more mote than personal opinions of the moment And some of his most devoted adherents are sufficiently suf suf- put off by his Inconsistencies inconsistencies In in- consistencies to ignore his statements and stick to their guns on basic Issues Last month declared that he was disengaging the Federation from Democratic party politics Some thought the explosive suddenness of his decision was merely to cover up the fact that he had failed to follow through with his promise of last December to remove from the Democratic National Committee the nine CIO cra members still located there Others felt he might be clearing the way for support of his favored friend Vice President Nelson Rockefeller in incase incase incase case he should win the Republican presidential nomination a move that most most of labor conferees hardly expect to happen Viewed Doubtfully From Within Whatever Whatever his motives many Federation allies some allies some in top positions positions are are not instantly coming coining to heel when he calls The sharpest schism is a result of abrupt withdrawal of his favor from Senator Henry Scoop Jackson of Washington who is panting hard for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976 Previously Jackson was the haired fair-haired boy of the Federations Federation's chief executive and the latter's reversal came as a surprise somewhat vaguely accused Jackson of him on trade legislation Sticking with ith Jackson despite condemnation are a number of presidents of unions within the Federation as well as some time old-time buddies in in the building trades President Edward Carlough Jr of the Sheet Metal Workers did not hesitate to state publicly his disagreement with on the Jackson issue along with officials in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers the machinists' machinists union and the operating engineers' engineers union Choosing An Heir While these developments indicate a growing isolation from his closest associates they do not suggest is planning early retirement He Heis Heis Heis is apparently still in good health and spirits and his regular schedule might well exhaust a afar afar afar far younger man But there remains much speculation over his successor particularly since labor faces acute problems as the recession and unemployment daily become more disabling to the economy Insiders think theres there's a good chance that eventual heir will be Lane Kirkland treasurer secretary-treasurer and second in command of the His name is little known outside union circles and he has no roots grass-roots base in a national union affiliate His connection was originally with the Master Mates and Pilots Union a rather small unit within the Federation lie He is a prime prospect however because seems to have made him his own personal chaise choise Kirkland is being delegated to commissions currently including the Rockefeller panel to probe into the CIA and is also being assigned to major legislative and speaking duties lie He is considered a capable administrator and his prospects have been substantially improved by I. I W. W Abels Abel's decision to retire from l his s United Steel Steelworkers workers and active union work when his term expires in 1977 This is not to say that Kirkland is the sole possibility Mr Abels Abel's retirement could couldwell couldwell couldwell well bring some dark horses nearer the starting post Including Including Including In In- President John Lyons of the Bridge Structural Ornamental Iron Workers As of jf now now however Lane Kirkland appears to be he far and away the frontrunner when steps step down |