The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-23
FRANKLIN FUND.
State Federation Of Labor
Figuring On

| The officers of the state branch
American Federation of Labor, who
were elected at the North Adams con-
vention, had their first meeting in
Wells Memorial hall, Boston, yester-
day. J. p. F. Frey of Worcester, who
| is second vice president of the branch,
attended
Today the state branch will take a
hand in the disputed Franklin fund
case. Upon the death of Benjamin
Franklin, a fund, to be used according
| to his will, for the betterment of the
working people of Massachusetts, was
established. More than hundred
| years ago the first attempt to secure
possession of the fund was made, but
the state federation has not figured In
| the dabbling.
President Jonas Wiener of the state
branch will appear in the meeting OF
| Boston board of aldermen today, and
urge that the board of trustees, in
charge of the fund.- postpone action
| The board of aldermen and three
prominent members of the clergy con-
| stitute the trustees, and the fund OF
few thousand dollars has grown to
| $195, 900 or whereabouts, while the hag-
Cling regarding its disposition has been
continuing.
Harry Lloyd, one of the brainiest of
labor leaders, and candidate for sec
rotary of state on the democratic
ticket, and John E. Mcneil, the veteran
trade unionist, called the attention of
the officers of the state branch yester-
day to the fact that organizations of
| a private character are making a bid
| for the lions share of the fund. Messrs.
| Lloyd and Mcneil were appointed a
committee to assist in having the
fund donated to the central body OF
organized labor in Massachusetts, the
state federation.
Vice President Frey said last night
that it is the intention of the state
branch to exert every influence In
having the money used for the creation
of Franklin institute The erection OF
a building In Boston to be known as
| the headquarters Of the state branch
of the American Federation of Labor
and the equipment of an art gallery
and reading room for members of la
| Dor organizations and working men
are parts of the project outlined yes
terday.
| The founding of an institution pat
termed after the Cooper Union in New
York. was advocated by Vice President
Frey. The chances of the money being
turned over for use in building a home
for Boston workingmen, and having
! the headquarters of Massachusetts la
Dor organizations established there
seem bright, and with such an institu-
ton, the state branch will be equipped
to better the conditions of the states
workingmen, educationally and other
| wise.
Vice-President Harry j. Mcdonald OF
| North Adams reported that the proprie-
| tor of the hotel in that city where non
Union beer was dispensed to delegates
attending the convention, has unionized
his hotel. The beer, which was 0bjec-
| tionable to delegates attending the con
yention, but which Worcester delega tes
never tasted, has been driven out OF
| the North Adams market.
A report was given by Vice Presi-
! Gent Frey, who has been working in the
| interests of the Garment Workers
| union in this city Action was taker
on the introduction Of union overalls, a.
| Vice-President Frey found that Wor.
! cester dealers could not supply labor
| unionlsts with union-made overals.
A. e. Tougas of Marlboro, represent
| ing the Tobacco Workers union ant
the product of union factories, rep ortet
| that six stores in Worcester handle
| union-made goods exclusively
| Mr. Frey said that the Legislative
| committee will be in working trim whei
| the season opens. Chairman Frank X
| Foster will effect a thorough and sys
| tematic method of having representa-
! tives in every session of the legislature
| The officers win have another meeting
before the opening of the state legisla
! ture in January to outline the work fol
| the year.