New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-16
TO ELIMINATE UNION MEN.
AGITATION. FOR COUNTER ACTION BY Ma
TTONAL GUARD BECAUSE OF POT
TIERS EXPULSION.

TTONAL GUARD BECAUSE or POT
TIERS EXPULSION.
As the result Of the expulsion of William Pot
ter from labor union in Schenectady because
he was a member of the National Guard and
served against the strikers of the Hudson Valley
Traction Company. an agitation mas arisen
among the members of the National GUARD IN
this city TO refuse the admission 10 membership
of any one who is member Of any labor union
This II is claimed will be the best way to TTe-
vent any more trouble between the labor unS1ns
and the National Guard.
At present there are several regiments in this
city who have men belonging TO labor unions.
hut their membership will not he renewed unless
they give assurances that they are in a position
10 defy the union 10 which they belong. II is
claimed that such action. while keeping many
desirable men from the MAJ 'onal Guard. will
benefit those men. their means Of support viii
not be jeopardized
Representative members Of trade unions who
Were seen yesterday divided I'm their opin-
ions as TO whether or not the members of labor
organizations should join the National Guard
Some OF the unions have ironclad rules against
their members joining the militia. Among these
ore one or two Of the cigarmakers' unions. the
passementerie workers union and several other
organizations in the miscellaneous as opposed to
the building trades. In the building trades
unions opinions we're found TO be divided Whlle
in some the sentiment yesterday was in favor
Of forbidding members to join the National
Guard. in others the representatives OF the
unions thought that could belong TO the
National Guard and be good union man. too
James Wilson. delegate Of the international
Association of Machinists, said
do not believe in trade unionists joninE, the the
National Guard. While IT is true that many OF the
building trades unions have no positive rulc agasI
General sentiment is in favor of discouraging the
idea / do not see how man can be Iemo
fst II he is drafted to where there Is a strike
he may be called upon TO hre on ms tetioT b ~o n
their tight Personally do not believe in mem
No man who is a member OF the National Guard
can be elected delegate TO the hauohdl eo"''"
ton Of our organization
William A Perrine Civil Service Commission
err, who is the business agent of the Iron
Moulders' Conference Board. containing twelve
local unions. said:
Personally I am in favor Of the National Guard
being composed altogether of members of trade
NOT shoot TO kill but would shoot over the heads
of crowds 10 fFighten them away The question
venton the matter Of members of trade unions
was taken. believe in the case OF Potter me
union made mistake. think that II Fo Potter Is
prevented from getting employment he has good
case against the union for damages.
William F. Long. president of the New-York
photographers Association. said:
do not favor members of trade unions Joining
the National Guard. No man can serve two mas
ters A member OF a union will find himself In a
very embarrassing position IL he is drafted as a
member OF the National Guard TO the scene or a
strike think a in such case could not be
a good National Guardsman and a good trade
unionist at the same time.
Richard ]. WaIdron, financial secretary of the
Amalgamated Painters and Decorators Union,
thought differently.
"Our organization" he said. has no rule
against the members joining the National Guard.
and l question IL any of the building trades
unions has any such rule. believe in members
of trade unions joining the National Guard.
Then when they are drafted to strikes the strtk-
ers will be better off with friends on guard than
with people who take interest in them"
member of the Eccentric Firemen's Union
said that the question of a man joining the Ma
tionaI Guard had nothing 10 do with his trade
unonism. The union had more right to in
terfere In such than it had TO interfere
with a mans politics or his religion. This was
the view recently taken by James Holland. dele
gate OF the union at recent meeting of the
Central Federated Union.