The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-08
SOCIALIST SPLIT IN c. ?. U.
LABOR UNIONS Ar WAR OVER
CIVIC FEDERATION.

InvestlGhtlnE Committee says That the
Federation II Not Inimlcal 20 labor.
hut the Meetihg AFTER . LOnG Debate
Votes Not % Accept the Report.
The threatened split In the Central Fed
Grated Union over the Socialist members
was brought nearer yesterday by a report
Of the committee appointed month ago
to investigate the Civic Federation and
force delegates no mad charges against
labor members Of that body either to prove
them or withdraw them,
The Socialists were early at the meeting
and RENAME until the end. II was from
them that the charges came and apparently
the had tanned to tire the meeting cut
30 that other delegates would leave and
the Socialists be ma step OF the field.
Jesse Lorimer Of the Housesmiths' and
Birdgemen's Union. VII made the report
said that the records Of the Civic Fedora
ton had been investigated oonscientiously
and that they showed that the federation
was not inimical TO the labor movement
but on the contrary h done the labor
movement good by settling a number Of
strikes and aveTting others.
The report concluded
we do not find an iota Of proof that the
Civic Federation IL detrimental TO the
labor movement. We also desire to state
that the delegates who made charges against
national and International offioers Of unions
who were members Of the Civic Federation,
failed 70 make good on them, and we recon-
mend that these delegates be Gems red.
The report was about to be put before
the meeting for adoption when the Socialists
olamored for a debate on the subject, One
named Paulitsoh, who represented the
AmalRamated Sheet Metal Workers, said
that the report was a whitewashing AFFAIR
and was made by a member OF the Civic
Federation
Before the delegate goes any further, +"
interrupted Lorimer. i want TO say that
have no connection whatever with the
Civic Federation, and there need be no
talk on that score"
Other delegates attacked the Civic Fed
Grafton until finally Delegate Hand OF the
Carriage Workers Union told Of going
into a BoweTy saloon with a member OF
the committee appointed after the Inter-
borough strike to see August Belmont and
get the strikers reinstated. The oom-
mitteeman, according to Hand said:
we went there to do some good for these
poor devils who were in a losing fight.
They went into the fight In bullheaded
way on the blind advice OF their own
leaders"
Hand was going on to say more when
James j. DAILY OF The Dockb uilders' Union,
a member Of the committee, said
1T gives me great pleasure TO answer
coward. We were inveigled into that saloon
by a number Of people that we wanted to
avoid and who had no business with us.
IL was a cowardly act for people 20 repeat
what they heard in confidence in place
where they had no business TO be- II the
labor men were a. frank at stating their
side Of a case as August Belmont there
would not be as much mud singing here.
All these people who are talking are simply
evading the present question
There was applause mingled with Kisses.
Hand made an explanation OF some kind,
but DAILY paid no attention. The Socialists,
who were spRrring for time, made more
denunciAtory speeches, taking for their
text the marlborough strike. This brought
Philip Kelly Of the Theatrical Protective
Union to his feet
Il want 70 say he said, that you will
hear more Of the strike later, when a detailed
report will be made about II. There are
people here who are trying 10 hurt the
labor movement by insinuAtions which
do far more harm than direct statements
which they would have 10 prove. When
you know the true facts Of the marlborough
strike you win be called upon to censure
two men who rushed the people blindly
into the strike instead Of Mr.. Belmont or
MIR. Compers."
Finally, the matter came 10 a vote, and,
the Socialists being then In the majority,
the report Of the committee was rejected.