The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-20
Labor Unions to Lock
Horns With Alder
men Today.
WEBSTER THAYER is RETAINED.
Jefferson D. Pierce Raps
the Aldermen and
Socialists.

Today Attorney Webster Thayer will
begin the case of the representatives
Of local labor unions and the Working
mems Club against the mayor and
board of aldermen on. the eight hour
question. Application will be made to
the courts for writ of mandamus
compelling the mayor and aldermen to
appear and show why the question
should not be made part of the official
ballot in the municipal election.
The Workingmep's Club favored the
action of the Central Labor Union in
voting to bear the expense of legal ac-
ton. In a speech before the club yes
terday, President Pierce said: Every
obstacle has been thrown in our path
by the city officials in our attempts to
get opinions of the city solicitor. but
we are not to be crushed -Four law
yeFS have given me opinions and all
tend to show that we have a case in
which there is fighting chance of vic
tory.
THE city is afraid to let the supreme
court give a decision. This talk of the
political candidates that there will be
a new board of aldermen which will IA
vor any action we may wish taken is
sop to Cerberlrs. 1t is sop when they
tell US that the new city government
will have the question on the official
ballot. The present city government
tells us that we are wrong in our de-
mands. II we are wrong now, there is
no reason why we will not be wrong
in making the same demand a year
hence.
The law is something that means
nothing if it is, as members of the city
government have said in speeches, to
down the movement we Instituted.
RAP AT SOCIALISM.
I'VE want a law that means some
thing, and it is our wish to determine
through legal action whether the pres
ent law upon the statute book of Mas
sachutts is devoid of meaning. This is
essentially a poor mans campaign. We
have no money to throw away neither
have we money to influence voting l
I'M glad that these conditions exist in
the club. Every vote for the labor cam
didates will mean a vote given because
of principle"
When Mr.. Pierce had finished there
was a sensation, although a mild one
in it's way. 1t developed that the So
cialist-labor party has placed the name
of William S. Chase, secretary of the
Workingmen's Club, upon its caucus
ballots as a delegate to the municipal
convention of that party Mr.. Chase
said yesterday that he had no love for
socialistic principles, and believed it
unfair for his name to be used without
authority.
President Pierce had the following to
say concerning the attempts of social
tst leaders to absorb the interests of
wage earners: 1.-The socialist-labor
party has tried everywhere to have
the laboring classes recognize that par
ty as the friend of the wage earners.
Every intrigue has been introduced,
and new ones are constantly originated
with the aim in view of getting the
sympathies Of workingnen with the
socialist-labor party.
For myself, cannot rejoice in the
false hopes of the party, and never
will believe that socialist rule Will
make a heaven on earth of Worcester.
MANY of the men who are leading the
party have proven themselves traitors.
In public office they have not been
friends of the laboring people. Because
of action unbecoming union men, some
of the leaders have been ousted from
office in labor unions. Does the party
think it can jab such men down the
threats of wage earners as candidates
for office? 1 believe that every work
to his belief
PIERCE DENOUNCES BACK.
81 have no 'hesitancy in saying that
have always done so. A year ago 1
told you that John R. Back was not
friend of workingn1en nor Of organized
labor. There were men in labor unions
who thought I had made mistake. I
believe his actions during the past year
show that he Is not friend Of organ
lied labor or any one who is a wage
Garner. A man in Alderman Backs en-
ploy who admitted that he was a mem
Der Of the Maohinists' union had
chance to look for another job
William Dunn of the executive board
reported that rallies will be held in
wards 2 and during the week. An eff
fort will be made today to arrange
for rally in Belmont street school,
Wednesday evening. The ward 6 rally
will be held Friday evening, and a hall
near the centre of the ward will be
secured.
The club added another candidate,
yesterday, when J. Louis Murphy ac-
eepted the nomination in ward 4 for
the common council. Mr.. Murphy is a,
carpenter and has taken an active in
terest in the club since it's organiza-
ton. He is a young man, and has
many friends in ward 4. The club vo-
ted unanimously to support his candi-
dacy.
J. P F. Frey was made q member of the
executive committee from ward g. The
executive board will select a list of
speakers for the rallies to be held I'M
der the auspices Of the club. and a
meeting for this purpose will be held
during the week