The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-25
QUARREL OYER
Mill BOYCOTT
ing Sides Clash Due
Soon.
APPEAL HAS BEEN
TAKEN TO A. F. OF j..
Demand Made for Investigation
Of Finances of the SIS. 's
Boycott.

f.- Boycott.
War is imminent among the affiliated
labor organizations Of Minneapolis. In s
fact, war practically, if not officially,
has been declared. Men familiar with
the situation say the struggle promises
to be one Of the most important ever
engaged in by union factions.
Trouble arises out Of the difference
Of opinion among labor leaders as to
the wisdom and the righteousness Of
the millers' boycott that has been in
effect since the conclusion Of the big
mill employees strike here in Septem-
zThe opposition to the boycott has
drawn first blood.'' A resolution has
been passed by the State Federation
council asking the American Fedora
ton Of Labor to raise the boycott and !:
to make a real and impartial investi- .
cation of the conduct Of and the ex-
penditures made in that boycott. It
is expected that the matter will be
taken up by the central labor body at
once. It is predicted that the results
may prove disastrous to individuals and
organizations.
The warning factions are represented
friends. Mr.: Keliihgton Is se sna a.y
and treasurer of the local union Of -four
and cereal mill employees, was recently
elected president Of the Building
Trades council and is the man at
the helm Of the ~boycottship.
On the other side are said to, be ar
rayed such leaders as John O 'DonneII,
former state labor commissioner; Harry
Dix, president of the State Federation
OF Labor; John Rogan, business agent
for the local plumbers union and a
member of the State Federation coun-
cil;g John Finley, president of the
Millers' union at the time of the strike:
Philip Carlin, George B. Howley and
others. -
< r.. How It Started.
The fight was precipitated bv A. b.
kellngton, the man thru whose hands
have passed the thousands of dollars
contributed to the strike and boycott
from all over the world. He is said
To- & =, have y spread the story that John
his recent departure for San francisco.
where he was going as a delegate to the
national convention Of the American
Federation Of Labor, and offered him
81, 800 to use his influence to have the
m1llers' boycott declared off.
This story has spread like wildfre
dd% eniege an, and 6 e RGGgan Indignantly
to defend him. He admits that he
went to KeHington's house on the night
named, but states that he went there
tor perfecly legitimate purpose in con-
nect1on with the interests Of his own
| plumber g union ,al- 1-s72-I -
It is further intimated by Rogan' $
friends that when it comes to show
down" he will not only deny Keeling
toms charges, but viii. make charges
| himself. It is claimed by those close
to Rogan that instead Of going to KeI-
l!ngton to offer, a bride he went at Kel-
l1ngton' g invitation and was asked to
use ststd h1s so influence to get $3.50, which the
colt fund, for the purpose, not Of CIV
ing over the cash, but of giving the
boycott its moral support.
| Plumbers Backing Rogan.
Rogan s membership in the Plumbers,
union, perhaps the richest and most
powerful labor organization in the city,
plumber friends are all interested, and
] one Of the leaders said last night:
I'VE are going to stand behind Ro-
gan and make Kellington prove his
charge or eat pie. We do not believe It
and won until 1t is proved
! This squaly condition was made
worse. by the recent election in the
1AdOOo CUuAClls AOllkukGUu
candidacy for the presidency aroused a
good deal Of feeling but as q compromise
Candidate he was elected after a fight. &
| The personal fight between KEELING
ton and Rogan has brought into the
limelight more unpleasant accusations
against the leader. Of the millers' boy
cott.. It, is stated by representative
union men that between 100000 and
| $4,000 has been received by Kellington
from strike and boycott sympathizers
from all over the world.
Mr.. Kellington says that all his acts
are matter Of record and open for in
spection. An investigation, such as is
demanded from the American Fedora
tion Of Labor, would clear up all these
controversies, and this, it is hoped, will
be the outcome. The local leaders are
determined to have an accounting and
an explanation.
Handling Of the Boycott.
"This farce has gone far enough, =
said one Of The most prominent MEM
bers Of organized labor in the city.
The great majority of organized labor
L is against continuation OF the millers'
boycott. Eighty-fve per. cent of the
members Of the milling unions are back
at work and nearly all the rest would
/ ha If thew could Somewhere in the