The sun., 1903-02-12
TO PROTECT GI'.ARDSMEN.
Labor Unions Protest Against the Hughes
Bill Before the Codes Committee.

Bill Before the Codes COMMITTEE.
ALBANY. Feb. ii.--That the labor unions
regard the Hughes bill, which penalties
any one who discriminates against a
National Guardsman, rs a direct slap at
them was brought out at a hearing on the bill
given this afternoon by the Assembly Codes
Committee. The bill affects every individ
ual in the State, employers more particularly
than employees, yet the On men we're
the only ones present to protest against it.
This they did through the lobbyist of the
State Workingmen's Assembly, James A.
Lavery. Mr. Lavery is cha rman Of their
legislative committee. and no lobbyist is
as active as he about the Legislative halls.
Mr.. Lavery was backed in his opposition
by James Chanlon of Troy. who also makes
trades unionis;n pay him soft salary by
issuing their official organ.
Big Bill" Devery's man. ". II. Butler,
and Assemblyman Prince also spoke. The
Schenectady unions were represented by
President ID. X. Downey Of the Painters
Union, which expelled National Guards
man Potter from membership: Edward
Utilize. secretary Of the Schenectady Trades
Assembly; Charles Nelson of the Iron
Moulders' Union; George Gould Of the
Carpenters Union and f.. S. Wassei of the
BARRIERS Union. The Machinists' Union,
which is the largest in Schenectady was
not represented
The supporters of the bill were DR.. A.
W. Y. Raymond. chairman of the Citizens
Association Of Schenectady, which took
up the case Of Potter as blow at the in
Judge Judson s. IAndon Of Schenectady,
who Is the attorney for Potter. and Judge
Austin A. Yates, Major OF the Second Regi-
rnent, Potter being member Of his bat
talon.
Judge Landon seemed to be surprised
at the opposition to the bill. He said il
meant no ofer c, to any one who did not
propose to give offence. The law has been
on the statute books for years, but il is
only lately that II was found necessary
TO impose penalty for a violation Of it,
He declared that the stability Of the State
rests upon its military arms and the National
Guard is essential 10 that stability, He
was surprised that the union men thought
they were assailed by the bill, for no insult
was intended to them, as IL was universal
In its application This was provoked
by, the union speakers declaring that the
bill was an insult to the workingmen.
II was noticed that all the Union speakers,
with the exception of Mr.. U,tlie. we're not
opposed to the trades unionists becoming
members Of the National Guard. Mr..
U .tle though had no use for National
Guardsmen He did not believe they
should he allowed in labor unions. He
did not think union men should associate
with them
Mr.. OHanlon said that while Potter
was dismissed from the Painters Union,
ostensibly because he was a member Of
the National Guard. the real reason was
because he had violated other rules Of
the union
The committee took no action on the
bill. The veiled threats Of the labor unions
to get even il the bill becomes a law may
have some effect, but II seems to be under
stood that the measure is to he eventually
reported. II follows out the recommenda-
tions of the Governor in his message and
was gved to Assembyman Hughes to
introduce by Adjutant- General Nelson
II Henry.