New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-17
A LABOR WAR IMPENDING
IMPORTANT CHANGES MAY FOLLOW.
TILE SOCIALIST PARTY ATTACKS THE AMERICAN
FrDFHATION AND HENRY wEIsMANN.

TILE SOCIALIST PARTY ATTACKS THE AMERICAN
FEDERATION AND HENRY wEIsMANN'
The Socialist Labor Party and the Central LABOR
Federation has begun active i=ht against the Aer
can Federation Of Labor. Not only the fight be-
r ot the central Labor Federation yesterday but tho
Gcbt will he carried 10 the International WoknGnehs
Congress- in Brussels. where attempt VIII be mace !"
copturc the Knights of Labor and get that order W
cooperate politically with the Socialists for the enl
cipaton OF labor The enemies OF the socialist LABOR
marty are attempting TO seduce from its ranks num-
her of labor unions and this fight is retaliation IN the
shane of charges against Samuel Gompcrs, August
Delabar and especially Henry Wesmann. This aei'S
tion promises 10 be frauGht with important conse-
ouences to both tho Socialists and American Fedeauo
I'm this country, for IL is expected 70 defeat inc IT.
election as president OF the American Federation oi
Labor of the conservative Mr.. GOmpcrs and To force
tho Federation to become partner in tho political
schemes of the Socialist Labor party. On the other
hand il tho Socialists defeated in the fight IT VIII
take them several years TO their lost ground as
large number Of unions will desert the rcd flag In a
body.
The fight was begun yesterday by the reading OF o
letter In the Central Labor Federation meeting at NO.
3s5 Bowery from the union picked out to prefer inc
charges. This was in part as follows;
"T0 the Central Labor Federation OF New-iorA'
Comrades BY order Of the Federation of BoohkeeperS
and Clerks Local Union, Nc. 1, hereby SUBMIT 10
your kind consideration and careful investigation seV-
enteen complaints formulated by our Executive BOaru
against Confectioners and Cahe Bakers Union, W
I, of Ncw-Yorl. Many of these complaints refer |"
Henry Weismann, alleged delegate from That union
and Ieacherous cOnspirator against the progressive
labor movement. We lave resolved to uphold th2
charges. and to request you to take such actoh d.
will show the true character and conduct OF that OF
ganzaOn and the danger Of its being represented III
tOdy since its shameful IepudouJn oil TIC p)hcai
resolutions relative to the Socialist Labor party aSeeu
on in the JOurneymen Bakers and Confectoners' IN
ternati0nal Union In convention assembled az lhudn
apolis March ., 1891.
1--WE particularly urge this since Confectloners and
Cake Bakers Union, No. T. to be now boSsed by
professional demagogue, who has been charged by
the United Brewery Worbmens Union OF the Pacific
Coast with not only having been the creator of bogus
soeb brewers union, but when he was boss baker
employing scabs himself, and being a dynamiter TO
boot. We likewise request you TO obtain evidence
FROM or refer, such portions of the investigation as
relates to Mr.. Wesmann's notorious career In San
Francisco TO the Council OF the Federated Trades OF
the Pacific Coast. We further request that pending
this investigation Mr.. Wesmann should be relieved Of
his membership on the Grievance Committee 1t being
manfesty alsurd that he should be allowed to act as
Judge Jury and accused in his own case.'
The seventeen charges against Confectioners and
Cake Bakers Union, 40. = and Henry Weismann,
which VIII be the basis Of his prosecution BY the Cen
tra Labor Federation and the Socialist Labor party are
as fellows;
"That Confectoners', No. 7, in consequence Of the
onelection of August Deahar by the United Central
Labor Fcderations to the Brussels socastc Congress-
has since been aiding and abetng in q conspiracy TO
split the Central Labor Fedeiation.
THAT the said union Gas aidcd and Allotted In a
call for a meeting of sorel head labor organizations at
witzgs Hall August % to form new central body
that cannot be intended otherwise than inimca to
the Central Labor Federation and its policy.
THAT the said union by its resolutions offered to
the Central Labor Federation July 26 and August .,
and the acts of It's delegates against the Central Labor
Fcdc?aons socalstc delegate to the Brussels Social
jstic Congress-, has shown treacherous determination
TO hart the Socialist Labor party.
"That the said union has proved itself guilty OF
treason 10 its National Urlon and the Central Labor
Federation
THAT the said union in urconstitutionay sending
Henry Weismann q delegate to the Central Labor Fed
Grafton has done great harm we'll as forced into
prominence in the Ncw-Yor.l labor movement man
whose acts have shown him to be traitor to organized
labor.
THAT Henry Welsmann has 10 right TO be recognized
as delegate to the Central Labor Convention.
"Tlat Weismann has been 'scab' baker boss and
has employed non-uuiOH bakers.
"That Weismann, in conjunction with two bOSs
tacr two Gnmill-keepers ard expelled brewer, by
Interpretations on december ), loOO, ODtaihed
charter for 'scab' brewers union from the National
Executive Committee Of tho National Brewers Union
"That Weismann ut the Most meeting in Cooper Union
IN June 81 called upon his hearers to themselves
and by that and other Anarchstc Appeals ne deleelt
10 Tx, Central Labor Federation, brought that oIganAa
ton into disrcputc -,
"That Weisinann in 1855 was the insugat0r OF IN,
notorious and cowarlly San Francisco dynamite Plpt
and I'm that year denounced ODOnuc for their 1alre
THAT Wesmann coEsprcd 10 split the san Francisco
Federated Trades. 1
THAT Wesmann while in San Francisco was charged
with selling his Inducements to political candidates and
traGicing with the highest bidder ;0r his services
trade Dapers to msrcprescnt and libel the membership
policy tactics and other WORK Of the central laDp
Federation and SCcalistc Labor party, both Of which nc
seems bent on DESTROYING. In the Interests OF the
Anarchists on the one hand and on the other To th
glory of August DelaEar the state organizer, ana
samuel Ompcrs, president OF the American Fedc1at!On
nf Labor who have suggested through him 10 the dele
gates OF the Union Central Labor Federation the re
Organization Of the Socialist Labor party into the group
or punches OF -evcn known Federal labor unions
The American Federation Of Labor
The friends Of Mr.. Weismann made long and bitter
fight but beaten and special committee Of hV'
was appointed to investigate the charges. The repOr
Of this committee will Of course be in favor OF thu
charges and then civil will begin and the FIELD
OF labor will be the field Of battle. Each side accuse
the other OF Anarchstic tendencies, and the known
enInity between the Knights of Labor and the American
Federation NAV involve these two powerful organiza
tons in pitched battle with dire results to peaceab
union wOTkmen.