The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-14
UNION LABOR AFFAIRS.
Contest for Presidency of Central
~Union-The MoIders' strike.

A new president for Central Labor Union
will be elected tonight, and the contest
promises to be the sharpest of any cleo
ton ever held by that body. The candidates
nave been making canvases of the various
unions to ascertain their status in the most
diligent manner So thoroughly nave these
arvases been conducted that it is under
stood almost the entire membership of
Central Labor Union will be present at to-
nights meeting. There are now about
twenty-five local unions represented in the
central body, each of which has from two
to ten or twelve delegates. In some in
stances, it is said, delegates of certain
unions will attend the meeting and vote
solidly for a candidate.
There are five candidates-John Feltman,
OF the Cigar Takers Union and organizer
of Central Labor Union; Thaddius Gurley,
of the Carpenters Union and vice president
of Central Labor Union; Edward Berry.
of the Typographical Union; James Mad
den, of the Plasterers' Union, and Len
Lester, of the Painters Union. Berry has
insisted all along that ne is mot a candidate,
but friends lave kept his name before the
members OF organized labor, and IL is I'M
derstood he will be voted for unless he
requests that his name be not used at the
meeting. Even If he does this. it is said,
some may vote for him anyway.
Feltmann and Gurley have both been
working hard building up their fences. and
the contest between these two men Will be
close. Gurley has been wee president of
the central body for some time and Is
backed by one of the strongest unions in
General Labor Union. has been
vigilant as an organizer, having mace d
good record in the last three months I'm
that capacity. A part of this work will be
conspicuous tonight. when seven new
rTnf0nG Will send nfrapn mr. tranrxr AL
gates, all OF whom, II is understood, will
vote for Feltmann.
The whole fight is centered in the presi-
dency, and there Is little talk Of who shal
be- elected TO other offices. Harry Slough.
OF the Typographical Union, is secretary
Of the central body. and so far no opposi-
ton to his reelection has been announced.
He has been secretary for several terms,
and is beginning to be regarded as a per-
manent fixture there.
The local union of iron moIders is jubilant
over a victory in Cleveland. o., where one
OF the firms in the Foundrymen's Assocla-
ton has withdrawn from the association
and made its plant strictly union. The
strike has been on in Cleveland for many
months. The grievance Is apparently over
a matter OF 10 per cent. increase. but thai
is not the real cause. IL is a fight between
the Iron Molders' Union and the Foundry
ilCn = <AScOtldt4On- Al &c IN - dHdllct
the association and by common consent Il
seems To have been agreed that they shout!
nght IL out in Cleveland, where are heated
the largest firms OF the country, and where
the largest number OF holders Is employed.
The association has stood solidly together
until last week when one OF the largest
firms In the city withdrew. The unions take
this to mean that the association Is broken
and look for others 10 soon follow.
George Caster, business agent of the In
dianapolis local, said last night that the
moiders I'm Cleveland rave been receiving
almost as much money - IL they had been
az work. Besides the money paid out by
the international treasury donations have
been sent from every local In the country.
and the indianapolis union has been con-
tributinG a purse each month. A settle
ment OF the strike In Cleveland means a
settlement OF the wage question for the
molders ali over the country, and w1ll de-
eide who shall have Jurisdiction over the
shop, the union or the association.