Workmen's advocate., 1890-05-31
CORRUPTION.
TESTIMONY THAT SHALL NOT
 BE SUPPRESSED.

Disgraced by a Small Clique of
 Interruptions Schemers Exit
 Mathew Barr.
 About two months ago John J. Doyle, of the Franklin Association, created a stir in the c. l.. U. by charging that last year Mathew Barr, walking delegate of the Tin and Sheet Iron Workers, had conspired with others to form bogus labor party, known as the Legislative Reform party, in connection with which the name of the c. L. U. had been used corruptly and against the will of ma. jority of it's members.
 The charge was referred to the Griev- ance Committee; but no report has yet been made, and the committee itself is threatened with disruption by the pecu- liar conduct ot some of its members, who neglect to attend its meetings, or attempt to bulldoze the witnesses and their own colleagues, or in other ways hamper the investigation.
 We have, however, procured correct copy of the testimony that has heretofore been taken, and the extracts which we submit will give a sufficient idea of it's nature. It may be proper to state right here that on April 29, Mathew Barr disappeared. Some say that he went abroad; others, that he has been seen in Brooklyn; while the reason given for his sudden eclipse is "dom estic trouble" !" His organization has elected another delegate.
 H. w. Story is member of Progress sive Carpenters No. ?. For some reason his testimony before the committee was ruled out by the Chairman. Here are, however, few extracts:
 "Have you ever heard how the Legis lative Reform Party was started under the auspices of the c. L. U. last fall ?"
 "Yes, 1 have"
 Who told you about itT
 "W. H. Clough, a delegate to the c. l.. U. from Progressive Carpenters No. 9"
 What did he tell you when he first mentioned the subject?"
 "He told me that he, Mathew Barr and some others whose names I don't remember, were to start a political party under the auspices of the c. l.. U."
 Do you remember the time Uhen he spoke to you about this enterprise ?"
 '1t was before any political move was thought of by the c. L. U. last fall. Clough told me that deal could be made with certain party that would benefit the committed. But he did not mention the name of that party"
 How long have you known Mir. Clough?"
 About four years"
 | What do you know of himY'
 "l made his acquaintance through member of our organization in this city and thought him a square business man. He told me that Bradstreet had rated him at $125,000. Then he spoke of business he was in, called the West ern Association, of which he wanted me to become a member. I declined to do that. Then he came to me afterwards and wanted me to go into business with him at 50 Broad street, which was to be a bucketshop. told him I didn't care to do that either. Shortly after he sent me telegram to know if would not lend him $150 beft e 10 o'clock the next day. l gave hIn $l00 and took securities that were T, resented to me to be good collaterf for the $10O. I since found that they were worthless. The next I heard of MT. Clough was through an article in the papers that he was in Ludlow street Jail for using the mail for fraudulent purposes. 1 visited him in jail and he told me that as soon as he got out he would settle with me, but he has never done so. Finally I brought charges against him in the Progressive Carpenters organization. He was suspended just after the political l job he was engaged in last fall. There is now United States charge against him; he is out on bail and conducts a | business at q Park Row, which he calls a real estate and storage business"
 "Did he open bucket shop at 50 Broad street."
 "Yes, he and a man by the name Of | T. Williams, in July 1S8S.'
 Did he ever work at his trade since you knew him?"
 Not to my knowledge, with the e.;- ception of a small job he did on Staten Island when he became member of the organization. Here is an extract of one of his letters to me, dated August g, 1889: You may ask why I don't go to l that some day soon I shall get the wages