The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-30
IT CAUSED AN OUTBREAK
ELECTRICAL WORKERS RESENT
THE DISCHARGE OF A MAN.
A. First They Wanted to Spoil Prop
~erty-LocaI Labor News
OF Interest.

Fifty or sixty electrical workers were at
their union headquarters last night when
an incident occurred that caused indigna-
ton. Yesterday evening, F. r. Swift en-
ployed by the Indianapolis District Tele-
graph Company as repairer, was dis-
charged. Swift is chairman or the Elec-
trical Workers executive committee, and,
although a strike is on with the company
he was permitted to work as he Is en-
ployed on a salary, and not governed by
the union scale. He is commonly known
among the union men as Dad" Swift, be-
ing the oldest member of the union. Ii
was said that he was discharged because
he was getting too old and the company
wanted a younger man for the position.
When this news reached the Electrical
Workers headquarters, ~denunciation be-
came loud and some of the radical element
proposed a crusade on the company's tele-
graph boxes and tearing out all wires
within easy reach. They charged that
Swift was discharged because he is identi-
fled with the head of the organization. The
agitation attracted the attention of the Of
fcers of the union and with difficulty it
was suppressed. The Electrical Workers
claim that Swift is an expert workman,
has been employed by the company for five
years, and is capable of doing the work of
any electrician in the country.
The matter will be taken up at the next
union meeting. This action has r%eopened
the breach between the Electrical Workers
Union and the Indianapolis District Tele-
graph Company, and the various members
of the union have been delegated to visit
business houses, saloons and all places that
have indianapolis District Telegraph boxes,
in an effort to have them removed.
xxx
More than a half dozen unions were Wis
tied yesterday by Business Agents Johnson
and Dudley, of the Electrical Workers,
relative 70 the organization of a Building
Trades Council. and each expressed a fav-
orable opinion as 20 the advisability of
such a body. The officers of the Carpen-
III favor of such an organization, and the
influence will be strongly felt. This union
has next TO the largest membership of any
III the city.
Thadius Gurley, delegate of the Carpen-
ters' Union to the national convention at
Scranton. Pa, who succeeded in securing
the location of the national headquarters
Of the union for Indianapolis subject to a
referendum vote of the national body. is
being looked for with much expectancy.
The Commercial Club is also interested IN
securing the headquarters. as IL means
more than $4,000 a year paid out In sal
aries, besides the bringing of conventions
and other financial affairs that will benefit
the city. The club will assist the carpen-
tiers in influencing the referendum vote
that is to make the final decision.
XXX
Members of the Labor day are
doing what they can TO suppress an an
ticipated movement TO dissolve tha COM
mittee. 1t is understood tina such a move
ment is on foot with the intention of again
placing the celebration of Labor day under
the direction OF the Central Labor Union.
The Labor day committee has been sue
oessful in its management of the industrial
holiday and now has s.. 100 in its treasury.
Ii is the intention Of the committee TO es-
fablish a labor home. or Headquarters for
all the labor organizations of the city. To
dissolve the Labor day committee will shut
cut several organizations not affiliated with
Central Labor Union, which would be much
&c the detriment of the committee, as these
unions We're among the most active in the
celebration, and contributed to the sup
port of the committee as literally as any
in the city.