The sun., 1906-12-31
C.F.U. GIVESN BY CLOSE VOTE
OBEYS ORDER OF FEDERATION or
LABOR TO RESEAT UNIONS.

Decides TO Back Down. by Q Vote OF %
20 "a, but Many OF the Majority Act
Under Protest Chance That Opposing
Unions May Form . Rival Body.
BY vote Of o. delegates to 54 the Central
Federated Union yesterday decided to obey
the ultimatum Of the American Federation
Of Labor issued at its Minneapolis conven-
ton. This means that not only will the
c.. u. have to reseat the delegates OF the
theatrical Protective Union, the Musical
Mutual Protective Union and other A. +.
OF L. organizations which 1t suspended,
but also that fifteen or twenty independent
unions which were represented in the body.
must get out.
Il also means that unless the officers OF
the American Federation Of Labor and it's
international unions exert the incest di-
plomacy a split is likely to occur in the
C. F. u, and the unions which are legislated
out may, with other unions, form a rival
central body.
Frank Morrison, secretary OF the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor, was in attendance
as a representative Of President Gompers
and took more or less part in the debate
which preceded the vote. 1t had been
explained that the message Of the American
Federation Of Labor was final, and that the
only question before the meeting was
whether or not it would obey or lose its
charter and witness the organization OF a
new Central Labor Union.
Yet the delegates insisted on debating,
and often in a spirit Of bitterness. At least
one-third Of The delegates did not vote,
most Of them on the ground that they did
not want To commit themselves on the
matter. OF those who voted to sustain the
American federation Of Labor large num-
ber voted under protest. They made
speeches attacking the American Fedora
| ton of Labor, declaring that they were
utterly opposed to it's action but were,
| they said, instructed by their unions to
vote yes on sustaining the A. +. OF L.
The chairman was James Holland OF the
! Eccentric Firemen's Union, who stated
| briefly the matter before the meeting
Henry De Veaux, president OF the Actors
| National Protective Union, argued against
the admission Of the Theatrical Protective
Union and the Musical Mutual Protective
I Union. He said that the American Fedora
! ton Of Labor and not the G. +: U. had
| violated its constitution in requiring the
reseating Of the two unions. They had
been expelled, he said, for not living up
to the principles OF organized labor by
| ordering strikes.
! The CHAIRMAN, whose union ldUer eus-
tanned the A. +. of L., reminded him that
there was only one question before the
meeting and added:
at Is not a question OF our personal
sentiments. II / had my will and the
musicians and stage hands were here L
would be ready to suspend them again.
The Representatives OF both organizations
lied deliberately when they stated their
case to the American Federation OF Labor.
But we are up against the proposition
! IN haU OaI
charter revoked, and it is simply question
of yes or mo- to that proposition.
De Veaux read the circular from President
Gompers 10 the presidents OF the national
and International unions advising them 70
| see that a large representation of the local
unions attended the meeting and also 'td-
! vising them not TO make known to the
locals that such a circular had been received
before the vote was taken. When De
Veaux reached that part of the circular
there was a loud whistle of astonshment
and several Kisses.
The delegates of the independent unions,
which under the decision of the A. +. OF L.
must get out of the G. F. u, put in strong
plea for their organizations.
The vote was taken by roll call OF the
delegates OF the unions. When II was an.
nounced President De Veaux of the Actors
Protective Union said in great anger:
This shows that we are run by the presi-
dents OF the national unions. 1t has infiu'
enced everybody here.
Il want you to understand said the
chairman" that am not under the thumt
Of any president OF any national union.
consider this an insult.
Timothy Healey, president OF the Brother
hood of Stationary Firemen,, then took
hand in the dispute. He declared that
De Veaux was a cur
Il am not the cur" said De veaux angrily
Il stand up for the rights OF organized labo
and it il the people who don't stand up TO
il who are the ours
Itwas decided finally to request Presiden
Gompers to call a special meeting OF tn
executive council of the American Fedora
ton of Labor in this city in an effort to brinl
about conditions by which the unions whicl
must leave the c. F. U. can be admitted d
I. ] H. ofT n