[1] As president of the Carpenters, Huber built a powerful personal machine among the international union's organizers.

After his election, Huber was ordered by the international union's executive board to assist founder and general secretary-treasurer Peter J. McGuire with his duties.

But McGuire's failing health, alcoholism and general unpleasantness led Huber to abandon this role.

Huber, along with Frank Duffy, was one of a group of union leaders who sought to force McGuire into retirement.

Although he was able to win passage of constitutional amendments that centralized power within the office of the international president, he was exhausted by the battles with the board.