The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-04
Attended Meeting of
Executive Council
at Lafayette.
REPORTS AT PAINTERS MEETING
The Baltimore Faction
Seeks a Consolidation
Of Two Bodies.

William Crosbie, first vice-president
of the Painters and Decorators Union,
| is back from Lafayette Ind, where he
attended meeting of the executive
council. At a meeting of the local un-
ion at labor headquarters, last night,
Mr.. Crosbie was present and made re-
port of the councils deliberations.
! Mr., Crosbie said that the union as a
whole was never In better shape, finan-
cially and numerically. New locals are
being constantly formed and there is
every indication that the organization
is on a prosperous basis.
The Baltimore faction wishes to end
the dispute that has split the painters
| and decorators into two distinct ma
| tional organizations and has repeated
| ly made overtures for reunion with
! the Lafayette faction with which the
Worcester union is affiliated, but so far
| these efforts have not been attended by
a great measure of success.
While the executive council was in
| session at Lafayette, a proposition was
| received from the Baltimore faction
which, had it been accepted, would
serve as a basis for a complete recon-
citation.
The Baltimore men proposed that the
two factions hold national conventions
in September and act upon the ques-
ton of reunion. At this convention
committees could be appointed and
hold conferences until the object at
heart was consummated. This PROPOSE
ton was rejected absolutely by the La
fayette men on the ground that their
national convention has been called for
December.
Still thara lie bona of o, a,,ar+,,oI 49,,
! solidation of the two national organ
lzations of painters and when it comes,
Mr. Crosbie looks forward confidently
to complete victory for the faction
that he represents.
The split among the painters came
several years ago and labor leaders
generally have realized the fact that
there is weakness in this division in the
craft. Samuel Gompers, president of
the American Federation of Labor, ever
since the split has been calling upon
the factions to bury the Ratchet and
smoke the pipe of peace. Both sides
are more than anxious to meet his
views, but there is always a hitch in
the proceedings when the question of
ways and means comes up. Each side
Tears that the other may come out
| ahead
The Baltimore faction is recognized
as the official organization of the paint
ers and decorators of America, and ad-
mittance to the conventions of the fed
GRAFTON has always been denied to the
delegates of the Lafayette faction
strenuous though the exertions they put
forth to gain recognition.
The Baltimore faction is the Older
union and this is the reason 1t is re-
| cognized by the federation to the exclu-
sion of the more recently formed body
John H. Jefferson of this city is a mem
Der of the Baltimore faction and was
expelled some months ago from the To-
cal union. Mr.. jefferson is now ira
yelling for the Baltimore union, forming
new locals, and reports great success
in many of the New England states.
| Mr. Crosbie is one of the best known
| labor leaders in the state. He lived
the greater part of his life in London
and-at the time of the great strike
among the dock laborers he was hand
in hand with John Burns the socialist
member of the English parliament. Mr..
Crosbie says that Burns is one of the
greatest leaders of men in the world
today and refers to his successful car
rying through of the great strike as
evidence of the power that lies in the
proper organization of workingmen.
Mr.. Crosbie is an entertaining speak
er and his report last night was listen
ed to with the greatest interest.