The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-08-12
BIG ROW BREAKS OUT
IN CITIZENS ALLIANCE
Graft Charges Fly Thick and
Fast.-Police Asked for
Aid, :.

Denver, Colo, Aug 1O.-There have
been things doing In the Citizens AL
lance the past week. All Is not the
brotherly love that has been prevail
ing more or less particularly less, and
the white dove Of peace has sought
perch on the topmost point Of the tai
lest nagpole and is contemplating its
bedraggled appearance in sorrow and
disdain. 1t has lost all it's tail feath-
ers by the clutches Of the warning
factions, and is in grave danger Of
losing its entirety.
Rumors have reached the outside
from time to time that all was not Sc
rene in the domiclle Of the would-be
union regulators. Ever since the last
election of officers in that body, when
George J. Kindel, that effervescent
champion of reduced railroad rates.
and self-booster, entered the lists
against J. Crawfish Craig for the pres
idency, but fell outside the breastworks
and separated from the neshpots, there
has been a sn1ouldering volcano threat
ening to burst forth at any moment
Brer Kindel claimed he was defeated
in his ambition by the old but effective
trick of stuffing the ballot box, but
how this could be, especially In an or
ganization that is purity personified,
caused the initiated to ponder on the
wtckedness of the world
Attempts were made to keep the row
from getting to the public, but it fail
ed. and Monday night she blew up,
by Secretary Lyons appealing to the
police department for protection, and
directly charging that for the past
three years the alliance has been man.
aged "tyranically by Craig" and in
sisting that his life and property were
in danger because he had incurred
the enmity of that person. Lyons did
not get the police aid he asked for,
and as a result he says Mr.. Craig took
forcible possession Of his office,
changed the combination Of the safe,
locking all Of his papers therein, and
threw him out of the office.
At the time of the election of off,
GERS last December Lyons supported
Craig, and, although there was a Bit
ter opposition to his reelection, he
managed to hold over as president Of
the alliance, which holds its member
ship secret, not one member neces-
sarily knowing the name Of another.
Craig was the only man who knew just
who was entitled to vote, and the d.
rect charge was made then by George
Kindel that the ballot box had been
stuffed and that ringers had been
brought in to vote.
Lyons claims that for supporting
Craig and standing by him during these
troublous times he was promised the
position of vice president, as we'll as
secretary, with a. comfortable raise in
salary. He did not get tat least he
says he didn't-and as soon as the OPP
position sprang up again this year he
promptly allied himself with the oppos-
ing forces.
It was all off then as far as Craig was
concerned. He did not propose to have
an enemy in his office, and, although
Mr.. Lyons had been appointed by the
board Of directors, he discharged him
and ordered him from the office, it is
claimed.
Lyons refused to 60, and said he in
tended to stay right there and protect
the Honor and good name of the as
ISOLATION
Captain Lee Of the police department
told Lyons to go back, and said, If
you fellows have any disturbance up
there I'll send up the patrol wagon
and have you all pinched."
There is no prospect Of peace, and
it is war to the hilt of the knife be-
tween the two factions, and now both
sides are bitterly declaring that there
mill lo
don't obtain control.
The breaking Of doors, forcible entry
and seizure, armed guards, criminal
lions and recriminations, and hurline
of charges Of "robber'' and "grafter"
are few of the developments.
Lyons, who, after being a. close
friend and ally Of Craig. through the
three troublous years OF the alliances
existence, has taken service In the
ranks of the opposition and his oppon-
ent reminded him that you're only a.
kid, anyway, who's lost his head"
Tuesday night there was g. meeting
of the Independent Contractors associ-
alton. Lyons is secretary Of this, for
which he draws SIS month, as he is
secretary Of the alliance, where he
trouble before this organization, and J.
Crawfish made great plea for sup
port of that body, If it has any to
give, handing this charming jolly to
his friend Lyons:
II want to say right here, that who
ever has said that am not a. friend
of this organization, that have been
working for its downfall, lied" point
ing his finger at Lyons.
"All Of this trouble, anyway, is only
a tempest in a teapot. Lyons has been
good boy, and I've kept him at work
because thought he needed the money.
But he has become exited and has lost
his head. That's all the trouble, and
for that discharged him.
Il was empowered to do this by a
resolution adopted last February by
the executive committee of the alliance.
and I want to tell you now that he is