The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
SPICE in LABOR UNION
CENTRAL BODY WRANGLES OVER
ELEGA TO CONVENTION.
Finally Decided that George Custer's
Way to Federation Meeting
Shall BE Paid.

Central Labor Union last night held a
stormy session, the argument being over
sending a delegate to the convention of
the American Federation of Labor, which
meets in Scranton. Pa, in December. The
sending of a delegate to these conventions
has always been a contention and each time
it requires considerable 'log rolling to get
a motion through that will accomplish the
purpose. At the last preceding meetins a
motion was made to send a delegate which
promptly met with strong opposition and
it would nave been lost had not r. Z.
Croft come to the rescue by amending it
so that the delegate would be allowed"
to pay his own expenses. George Custer,
of the Iron Molders, was elected a dele
gate, on this motion, and Harry Slough,
of the Typographical Union, alternate. The
motion was considered a joke at that meet
ing, but those who were behind the move
knew what they were doing and it's mean
ing came out last night.
When the routine business was disposed
of Edward Barry made a motion to recon-
slider the former action. Delegates all over
the hall sprang to their feet, amendments
were made, motions to substitute and lay
on the table poured into the chair, and soon
IIt MIOlG DOOE was wrapped uD III d par
liamentary tangle that it took three hours
to unravel. Several times il seemed as if
no delegate would be sent, but just as the
clouds would begin to look dark an a0Yo-
cate of sending a delegate would make
some sort of motion that would divert at
tenuon for a time and bring about a dis
cussiOn that would allow the progressive
element TO recruit their ranks. Some said
1t was a shame TO not be represented, that
it was worse to send a delegate and allow
him to pay his own expenses, and others
that Central Labor Union needed no repre-
sentation at the convention, that it's treas
ury was embarrassed, and that the money
could better be applied elsewhere. Once or
twice personal remarks that were not fiat
but President Feltman hammered with his
gavel and ruled that feature out.
AT times the argument became humorous.
NJ. T. Butler, of the Sawmakers, said he
had been hoodwinked" into voting for
the former motion. To this Edgar A. Per-
kins replied hat it was astonishing TO
learn that a man who had lived in the
Fifteenth ward as long IS Butler had could
be hoodwinked" Butler retorted that
there were politicians living in other parts
of the city outside of the Fifteenth ward.
The charge of the delegates that they had
been tricked brought Custer, who had been
elected delegate, to his feet with his resig-
nation. He said it was the first time he
had ever been charged with trickery of
any sort and requested that the whole mat
ter be set aside and a new vote taken to al
low the majority to rule and everybody be
SallSleu. Harry slough also Uenuered MS
resignation, but the body refused to accept
either.
BY this time the status of the question
before the house was to vote SO TO send a
delegate to the convention. 1t seemed that
this would put the matter squarely and
end the discussion, but at that moment,
James Madden, one of the trustees, sprang
to his feet and shouted Mr.. President,
the constitution says that all matters of
finance shall be left TO the trustees and l
rise to a point of order He was ruled
down by President Feltman and Madden
appealed TO the central body. By a vote of
twenty-eight 10 twenty the chair was sus-
tanned. When the motion was finally put
SO was voted by thirty ayes and thirteen
noes. This settled it, as the central body
would not accept the designations and Gus
ter will go to the convention.