The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-09-24
ELECTRICIANS ANGERED
BY THE COLOR QUESTION
Bitter Words Spoken in Debates Even Violence
Advocated to Drive Negroes From Trade.
Differences Between Lnemsn and Wire Workers May Cause Split
in Order Socialism an ISSUE

THE discussion Of what should be
done with the negro i'm the cleo
trical branch OF the trades unions
precipitated a storm in the Information
al brotherhood OF Electrical Workers
convention yesterday. Nearly the en-
tire day was consumed in the cOnsid-
Grafton of this matter, and the negro
was handled I'm "a rough manner.
Southern blood was aroused to fiery
heat and the debate was SO scathing
and savored so much of fire and brtm-
stone that tho whole proceedings were
wiped from the records for fear OF the
results that might follow their publica-
ton as part OF the records of the
convention. There were many who
heaped curses upon the negro who
sought TO fin the white mans place in
labor circles. and some even went so
far as to- assert the belief tnat foul
means were justifable in dealing with
the hordes Of blacks who were a men
ace to the principles of uni0nism in the
south. Although the /. b. r. W viii
not permit negroes to affiliate with %.
they are recognized by the Federation
or Labor and any action by the l. =.
y. w against the negro would array
the electrical workers against the par
emit body. the federation. which might
be disastrous 90 the I. B. T.. w. For
this reason the proceedings on this
matter were blotted out and the cleo
tricians viii fold their hands and let
The non-uniOn negro work though it
be 2 2 and wormwood to them.
Split May Be Result
Besides this matter. which has
thrown the organization into Turmoil!
other matters have developed which,
81 rs predicted viii split the l. b. =. w.
40
ences. political and of other kinds.
have arisen between the Iinemel and
the wire workers. To is pTOphesied that
ass "A result Of these the liuemen viii
bolt the organization. The Socialist
element has also succeeded in getting %
Socialist constitution, and this has
opened a political gulf which viii be
difficult to bridge. In fact. lt is the
firm belief among conservative mem
beers of the organization that there viii
be some upheavals I'm the l. B. Z. w.
before the expiration of a years time.
Yesterday afternoon the election OF
grand officers was held and resulted as
follows: F. j. McNulty. grand presi-
dent. RI. w. Sherman. grand secretary,
T. J. Sheehgn grand treasurer. The
two latter were reelected. Grand
President MCNulty was formerly sixth
vice president J. TT. Maioucy. WAS
close second for the Office, but De fight
between the Chicago delegations re-
suited in his decent
Discuss Negro in Morning.
When the morning session opened
yesterday the question of what should
be done in the south with the negroes
who are filling the places of white men
{n the electrical trades was brought up.
The mentioning of the subject was like
touching a match 10 powder. In
moment the blood of every man who
had had dealings with the black race
was at the boiling point. and his
thoughts were expressed I'm language
some of which would not be permitted
20 pass through the mails.
Representatives from the southern
unions stated that south Of the Mason
end Dixon line there were not over 500
white members OF the q. b. =. W. 1t
was pointed out that nearly all tho
places which in the north are filled by
union white men are filled by negroes
in the south who have no unions and
who will work for comparatively moth
ing.
"I was born and raised i'm the south
said one man. ''bu; I had TO leave there
10 make q living Had 7 remained
there I would have had TO go out ana