Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-24
NO PREJUDICE AGAINST RACE
Labor Temple Directors Explain Exclusion
Of Hod Carriers Union.
cRITIclsE WAY THE ROOM WAS KEPT
II Central Labor Union EnfOrces Its
Resolution, Temple Association
VIII Appeal Directly TO
Various Unions.

Labor circles in Omaha are all torn up
over the action Of the board of directors
Of the Labor Temple association in refusing
TO rent lodge rooms to the Hodcarriers
union and the matter has reached the
American Federation Of Labor, where 1t has
caused considerable comment While the
Labor Temple association occupied rooms
in the Patterson block at Seventeenth and
Douglas streets the bodcarriers were ac-
corded the same privileges as all other
unions, but when the quarters were re-
moved to the present location and the
Temple association was incorporated that
body discovered that for its best interests
the Hodcarriers' union must be excluded.
As soon as this action was taken, which
was done by the unanimous vote Of the d-
rectory, a few persons claimed that the
action was the result Of race prejudice.
The matter was brought up at the last
meeting OF the Central Labor union and
that body decided to take up the cause
of the hodcarriers, adopting a resolution
declaring that the action Of the Temple
association was wrong, and that the hod-
carriers should be given place in the build
ing.
Pending this action on the part of the
Central Labor union interested parties had
the American Federation OF Labor. but the
statement made was apparently so obscure
that the officers of the federation did not
understand the case, as they replied that
IL the hodcarriers had been excluded from
the building on account OF the race Of some
of the members and the union was not
restored to equal fellowship with the other
unions tho federation would annul the
charter Of the Omaha Central Labor union.
Temple Association independent.
The Central Labor union has no connec-
ton with the Labor Temple association
and has no representation on the board of
directors. Harry McVea, the president of
the Temple association, said:
There was no racial question involved
directly in the exclusion of the hodcarriers
from the building. 1t was done simply be-
cause we found it difficult to prepare the
room occupied by the hodcarriers for the
use of other societies after they had held
a meeting. 1t was not a question Of race,
but a question of cleanliness
F. A. Willis, who is the organizer of the
American Federation Of Labor in this city,
is also a member of the Temple associa tion,
and by voting in favor Of the exclusion OF
the hodcarriers had brought down upon
himself the wrath of their friends and
they say that they will have his commits
sion as organizer revoked. Mr.. Willis says
that he is willing to surrender the com
mission whenever it is demanded.
Other members of the Temple association
threaten to carry the question to the floor
of the various unions, and say that IL the
Central Labor union attempts to enforce
the resolution adopted at the last meeting
the question will be referred to a refer
endum vote and the Temple association
will be guided by the result Of that vote.
Such course is deprecated by union lead
ers in the city, as they fear that the hod-
carriers would not be sustained and the
division in the ranks of labor thus shown
would be used against all unions by inter-
estsd parties.