Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-19
CLOTHING-CUTTER EXTORTION.
A Scheme Unearthed in the Lockout In
vsstipation at Observation-Disclosures.

n
vsstilation at NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
fBy telegraph to the Dispatch.I
ROCHESTER, n. ", March lS.-At the in
yestigation of the clothing-cutte lockout
here by the State Board of Arbitration the
scheme by which money Is extorted from
firms by the Clothing Cutters National
Union was shown by a voluminous CORE
spondence between manufacturers in this
city and Walter S. Westbrook, secretary OF
the Cutters Union, and James Hughes,
chairman Of the Executive Board of the
union. Westbrook has been arrested in
New York, President Mcclure of the
union, is under arrest in Chicago, and
James Hughes is in custody in Philadel-
phia ON the charge Of extortion. They
will be brought here.
The following is sample letter showing
how money was obtained from the cloth
ing firm:
EXECUTIVE BoARD.-James Hughes, of
Chicago. H., chairman; John Them, OF
Rochester, n. Y. vice-chairman; Walter
S. Westbrcok, of New York, secretary :;
James A. Wright, of Philadelphia; John g.
Nagengast, of Baltimore, Md.
OFFICE OF NATIONAL TRADE ASSEMBLY.
231, GARMEST-CUTTERs AND TBINMEBS OF
NORTH AMERICA.
ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Butte, MoNT., June a, 1890. J
Messrs. l.. adler, Brothers q Co., 90 and "a
north 81. Paul street Rochester, n. Y:
Gentlemen,-Yourl letter of June 10th to
hand, il being forwarded here. Hence the
DELAY In my letter of the 9th instant was
conclusive, and the facts that since have
come to your office only prove the contents
of that letter now. We are willing to set
tie all differences with your house. We
are sorry your house has let ii go
thus far. as you don't know the amount of
work put in on your case, and coming DAYS
will only prove how effectively this work
has been done. Now, we will meet your
firm if the views of your firm are the same
after reading this as they were when you
wrote the letter of June 10th. To guaran-
tee us of your good faith you will send
check TO Walter Westbrook, &c Prince
street, New York city, for S469. the
amount of money thus far expended by
our organization. This amount is only to
indemnify our organization. In connec-
ton with the above you will have to pay
all expenses in undoing the work that has
been done against your firm, which will
cost more now.
IL the sentiments Of the above meet your
firms views we will only be too willing to
settle this trouble, and in settling it we
guarantee your firm not only to undo what
has been done but to place the product of
l.. Adler, Brothers n Co. on better foot
ing in every community where il is sold
than il ever was before. This is the only
settlement we will make, and upon the ar
rival of your check for S469 at it's destina-
ton in New York / shall order one of
our district officers at once to your city
and he shall have complete terms of settle
ment in detail.
So, now, gentlemen. the rest remains
with you, and if you meet US promptly it
will be so much the better for settlement.
as the longer this stands the worse it is to
undo and the more it will cost. You have
no idea how effectively the work has been
done in your case. and | only hope you will
meet us promptly and we will show you
that we can do good as well as we can do
harm for any who treat us any ways right.
Hoping you will feel as | do, sincere and
anxious for to have the work of destruction
cease. and in it's place a work of construc-
ton take place TO the interest and welfare
Of your house,
Respectfully. JAMES HUGHKs,
Chairman National Executive Board, q. G.
and Il.
James A. Wright, District Organizer of
The Knights Of Labor. who arrived here
his morning from Philadelphia, together
With John q. Them and Frederick A.
Archer, of this city, were arrested imme-
lately after the morning session of the
Board of Arbitration on charge of con-
,plracy.