Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-03
WALKER IS A HERO
Labor Organizations of New
 Haven Probably Think So.
IF. J. HORAN'S STATEMENT


 Conscientiously and Not Because of Any Fear of Trades Unions-Horan Says Union Men Look on Militia as a Partial Body, Ready to Be Turned on Them at a Moments Notice Resignation Not Yet Received by Ad- jutant-G General Cole.
 New Haven, Jan 3.--'l think aln warranted Ill say1ng that Robert l.. Walker, Jr, Is tesalued as a nero Dy the members of the lapor organizations or tnlS clty."
 This stalement was made by Frank J. Horan, president or Trades council, regarding the acrlon ot Lieutenant W alker, who resigned nrst lleutenall- cy in the Light Guards, because he feared that he might ue called out to shoot down strikers.
 T do not think continued President Horan, that Lieutenant Walkers ac- tion touches to any extent the matter of the attitude of trade unions to the militia.
 AS I understand it he acted in obe- dience to conscientious conviction
  as a member of labor union, or per- haps as citizen, to continue in posi- ton where he might be called upon at any instant to take up arms against his brother workmen.
 T am quite certain that there is nothing in the constitution of the Gar Builders union, of which I am in formed Lieutenant Walker is mem Der, which forbids his being . member of military organization.
 There are organizations in existence and represented in this city" continued President Horan. that do have clause against membership in military organizations in their constitutions, but that clause is absent from the con- stitutions of most organizations.
 There is a division of opinion. and very wide one. among labor union ists as to the attitude they should ob- serve toward the national guard here and elsewhere.
 A resolution declaring against the national guard was. If recollect, Of fered at the last meeting of the state federation of labor
 Strong arguments were presented by both sides. Many members held that the so-called silk stocking element would be more apt to shoot down work men. while union men would be more apt to shoot high,- eH~Iow. -F7aa9fe resofu- ton did not prevail" 1" a a.
 Mir Horan added that 1t undoubtedly IS the fact that union men regard the militia as partial body, and hold 1t to be one of the weapons which capital calls to it's service whenever there is a strike of magnitude.
 Certain it is that Lieutenant Walk CTS action has made an equal sensation among the unions and the military or ganizations.
 He presented his resignation to his brother officers last Wednesday even ing, in the face of a protest from his father, Robert l.. Walker, formerly state armorer.
 Lieutenant Walker made a statement Tn which he said that he did not think 1t would be consistent for him to be- long to labor organization and the national guard, because he felt that he might at any time be forced to take up arms against his fellow laborers. Hartford, Tan 3.-Tn regard to the resignation of First Lieutenant Walk CT of the Second regiment. c. N. G.. be- cause of being a member of the Car Builders union. Adjutant- General Cole IEsaid to-day that he had not as vet re- ceived the resignation but could see no reason why it should not be accept