The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-22
FIGHT OYER THE
STEAM FILTERS
INTERNATIONAL AND UNITED AS
,sooIATIoNs LOCK HORNS.
Effort to Secure Reinstatement Of For
mer in American Federation Of Labor
Will Be Vigorously Opposed by Unit
ed Association -Incessant Strife Has
Bad Effect.

An effort will be made, by those in
terested to secure the reinstatement of
the international Association of Steam
Filters in the American Federation of
Labor. A referendum vote has been
taken by the filters, which was fav-
orably acted upon. as to the action to
be taken There is great activity on
e oe Rs and ot he ce tfas a sent ont tae
Gently by w. F. Costello, secretary
treasurer of the International associa-
ton, asks that locals send repre-
sentative to the convention of the
American Federation Of Labor to as
sist j. Mangan, who will be the. official
representative of his organization and
will present the plea for reinstatement.
For several weeks the filters have
been actively engaged in trying to Sc
cure the Endorsement by central trades
bodies of their petition for reinstate-
ment in the federation, and it is said
are meeting with some success. So far
local central bodies have done nothing,
but it is stated that they will be asked
to lend helping hand. Officers Of the
minneapolis union say they are conf
dent of favorable action by the fedora
tion this year.
..... Opposition Certain.
That the United association will op-
pose the admittance Of their rivals to
membership in the A. f. of l.. is certain.
Three years ago the dispute, which Is
one of jurisdiction and division of work,
came up in the Boston convention. Then
the matter was referred to a commit
tee appointed to consider the case, and
a referee or arbitrator was appointed
by the convention with power to rem
der a decision. The United association
came out victorious, which meant that
the filters either had to Join tho for
REPRESENTATION or remain outside of the
federation. At the San Francisco con.
vention the controversy was again
threshed over, with the result that the
federation stood by it's original divi-
sion. @
John Mangan of Chicago has sent a
long letter to the officers of the United
association outlining the position of
the filters regarding the difficulty, and
unions are far apart. Both have made
various propositions looking toward a
settlement, but none has been Of such
a character as to insure success. +
Costello in Chicago. T.
W. F. Costello, secretary-t Of
the international association, is in Chi
cago, where he has established offices
New Haven, Conn, is the headquarters
but Mr.. Costello. has made the change
in order. to be where he could reacf
all sections Of the country more read
lily. ). i
Organizer James M. Cumming, Of
New York, who is one Of the strong es,
opponents Of merging the two unions
will represent New York city: for thu
filters. ~
Anything which would result in tn,
consolidation of the rival organiza
lions, or the, formation Of an entirel,
new union which would embrace. al
the pipe trades, would be Of incalcula
BILE benefit to all. AS matters now
stand, there is almost incessant strif,
between the two, and this condition hat
had bad effect on other building
trades. Nearly every one in the build
ing craft unions would welcome AM