The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-05
PaperhaBgers' Union No. Oh and
Their Guests Resent the Tenor of
VIII BOwen's Remarks.
MEMBERS OF UNION SURPRISED
THEY THINK SOCIALISTS WANTED
TO CAPTURE THE MEETING.
President of the Garment Workers
international Union i'm the city
Affairs of Union Labor.

At the smoker given last night in the
Century building by the Paper Hangers
Union. No. 912. an unsuccessful effort was
made by a number of Socialists TO take
advantage of the meeting and present their
cause by speeches in its behalf. However,
only one speaker got upon the floor and
as soon as the portent of his speech be-
came known, he was cut short and given
to understand that the union was in no
sense a political body and would not sane
ton the introduction of politics in any
form.
Will Bowen, known for his political
speeches delivered on the street corners.
was struggled into the meeting and when
the opportunity presented itself, secured
the floor and began TO speak in behalf of
Socialism. The paper hangers were not
aware of his purpose when he arose but
he was soon given to understand that he
would have to sit dow or cease his polit-
ical speech. The affair was entirely a sur
prise to the paper hangers and many of them
were indignant at the method employed to
turn their meeting into a Socialists cam
paign. G.. w. Booth, secretary Of the
union, informed Mr.. Bowen that he would
not be allowed TO introduce socialism into
their meeting and that he would have to
be seated. Mr.. Booth said last night that
the Paper Hangers Union was in no sense
a political body and in any event did not
encourage socialism. He was very indig-
nant at the effort on the part of a few So
cialists to present their cause at the unions
meeting. 1t was understood that the So
cialists had several other speakers at the
smoker but after Mr.. Bowen's rebuff they
did not attempt to speak. One of them
attempted to tack up a picture of Eugene
Debs in the hall but he was forced to tear
II down and they were given no recogni-
ton whatever in the meeting. The move
on the part of the Socialists was entirely
much surprised that it should have been
attempted as they had never encouraged
socialism i'm their ranks
About one hundred and fifty paper hang
ers and union men attended the smoker by
union No. 912 last night. 1t was one of the
largest smokers ever given in the city by
a union. a programme of vocal music had
been ranged and in addition speeches
labor leaders of the city among them Ed
ward Barry, president Of Central Labor
Union; Harry Simons. Edward Gould and
Horace Charles, president of the Paper
dangers Union. Refreshments were served
and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by
all who attended.
The smoker can be said to begin the
boom that Is to be made for David Eberdin-
ger as an International vice president of
the Painters, Decorators and Paper Hang
ers' international Union. Mr.. Eberdinger is
now president OF the local district council
and is receiving the hearty support of his
union in his candidacy for an international
office. The officers of the Paper Hangers
Union are Horace Charles, president; Wal
ter Stemin, vice president; G.. w. Booth, re-
cording secretary; G.. j. Reaume, financial
secretary, and j. Kincaid, treasurer.