New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-03
GRAFT EXCITES C. F. U.
One Member Demands That Cor
rupt Delegates Be Punished.

The Central Federated Union got into state
Of great excitement yesterday over the question
of graft" among labor leaders. For the time
all other business was lost sight of in the
earnestness with which the question was dis
cussed. The subject was brought up by James
Holland delegate of the Eccentric Fireman's
Union. who submitted a preamble and resolution
drafted by a committee of the miscellaneous Sec
tion of the Central Federated Union, consisting
OF Holland himself James DAILY, George H. Nc
Vey, II. Farley and Matthew McConvile- They
were finally adopted.
II was charged in the preamble that District
Attorney Jerome was not showing enough alac-
Tity in proceeding against the business agents
who have been arrested on the charge of eX-
tortion. It said that he had year in which TO
work on the evidence and also charged him
with moral cowardice in allowing statements to
appear in the papers attributed to him. without
either confirming or denying them.
The resolution read:
2e it resolved That deplore the methods
of conducting said office and demand equal
rights for all citizens, whether they be wage
earners or capitalists. We consider the person
giving bride equally guilty with those who re
ceive it.
The reading of the letter started hubbub.
Several delegates declared that the labor men
who were arrested did not get fair show in
the newspapers, and that in any case there was
as much persecution as prosecution in the FRO
ceedings against them.
If there bride takers, there must be
bride givers," said Herman Robinson, financial
secretary. District Attorney Jerome should
take steps against the builders who furnish the
graft We not all saints, and If there are
any people who accept brides among the unions
we want them exposed and punished. We don't
want them among We also desire to have
the capitalists who tempt labor delegates with
bribes to be exposed and punished, well as
those who take brides, if bride taking can be
proved"
Delegate Kaufman. Of the Clothing Cutters
Union said he believed that Mr.. Jerome do
ing his best Some OF the delegates glanced at
him Indignantly when Kaufman told them that
St a difficult thing to prove charges Of ex-
sortion. He pointed out that in the case of
Murphy. the former treasurer Of the Journey
snen Stone Cutters Union. Mr.. jerome had con-
victed one labor leader, though it a diff
serent charge than extortion. Kaufman said
that IL any of the labor unions knew that there
were corrupt delegates among them they should
allow no false delicacy 10 stand in the way of
exposing them and having them punished. No
good could come from shielding grafters.
Delegate Farley, of the Amalgamated Paint
ers' Society, demanded angrily 10 know who
was convicted.
why Lawrence Murphy" said several dele
gates.
why doesn't Kaufman say that?" shouted
Farley.
The chairman brought down his gavel and de-
clared Farley out of order Farley then re-
marked that Murphy was not a business agent,
Morris Brown, Of Cigarrnakers' Union No. A,
took hand in the discussion. If the District
Attorney can find corrupt men among the labor
unions he should have them convicted, said
Brown. IF he can't find any corrupt men he
should let the matter drop"
I'VE want Mr.. Jerome to do something said
Delegate Holland If he has evidence that
Sam Parks Richard Carvel any one else
has taken brides why in doesn't he con-
Wet him? We are not here TO back up any one.
/ can't tell whether Sam Parks has any in
11uence not. What want is for Mr..
jerome 10 proceed against him at once, and
either prove him guilty not"
Another delegate remarked that Parks
the real issue. He declared that the more roast
ing Mr.. Jerome got from organized labor the
more chance ne would have Of being elected to
any office he seeking
Delegate Paulitsch of the Amalgamated Sheet
Metal Workers Union said that the arrests
were instigated by the employers to get the
unions to accept the plan of arbitration of the
Building Trades Employers Association before
August b. when Parks is to be tried. You
may take your affidavit it, he added. that
81 the HouSesmiths and Bridgemen's Union
cepts the arbitration agreement before August
10 there win be nothing more heard about the
charges against Parks.