The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-10-18
BRAND OF "COWAROS"
Put Upon His Opponents by Head Of
Eottlers' Associstion-RoW Ensues
Over Sitter Attack on Unions.

A sensational debate as to whether
the American Bottlers' Protective AS
sociation should repudiate or endorse
the attack made By its president, Geo.
E. Hugo, upon labor unions, WAS pre-
cipitated al the final business session
of the association in Atlanta Wednes-
day morning. For half an hour words
flew thick and hot and for part OF
the time directly between the presi-
dent and Walter Stapleton, delegate
from Bridgeport, who opposed the ex-
preston of Mr.. Hugo's emphatic
views. AS an outcome Of the situa-
tion, it was voted that President HUI
go's address should not be published
,,y the association in pamphlet form.
The dispute began whe2 George w.
Tucker OF Philadelphia moved re-.
consideration of motion made Tues
day that President Hugo's address be
printed in pamphlet form and sent to
every bother in the United States.
Mr.. Tucker alleged expense as his ob-
;ection to carrying out the orders Of
Ibis motion.
After a few speeches on the motion
to reconsider Walter 'Stapleton Of
Bridgeport sprang to his feet and
said:
Gentlemen, we are not here to
butt into other organizations. We
don't sell our goods to Vanderbilt and
Rockefeller We sell to the working
lnan and if such ideas as were ex-
pressed here yesterday go out over
the country approved by this associa-
1ion you'll see mighty soon what our
customers among laboring classes will
/; DO. Let's strike from our minutes ev.
ery word about anti-unionism. Don't
let us endorse any man who holds to
such opinions as the president ut
tered"
There was applause from parts Of
the hall, out the cheering ceased as
President Hugo, leaving the chair, adj
vanced a few PAGES from the rostrum,
and saii
"You come here under the pretense
of opposing the publication of my
address on the ground that it would
cost too much. I was prepared TO
meet that for was going 10 bear
The expense of publication myself
But. that isn't your reason. You're
afraid, and you know it."
At this juncture Mr.. stapleton in
terruptcd with:
you're net the whole association
"I'm part Of it though" rejoiued
the president, land I'll stick to my
statements"
Then followed a denunciation OF
unions mere bitter even than his
Tuesdays address.
ANY man" he said, "who willingly
signs an agreement to employ only
union n,en is traitor to his country
and free institutions. Any man who
signs it unwillingiy is a coward and
whether he signs it willingly or un-
willingly ne's FOOL
President Hugo then took lunge
at Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, and
declared:
When Gonlpers goes to the gov
crnment and says that what he de-
mands must be granted, when he en-
ters politics and seeks to defeat hon.
est men because they don't uphold his
socialistic views, then the time has
/ come for self-respecting business men
to call 2 halt on him. Such inst1tu-
tions as he represents must be killed.
"And It. can be-" cried Presiden.
Hugo. Its the biggest game OF bluff
ever put up. It's simply forefusher's
game foisted upon the people and you
can call it if you'll only be men
enough not to lie down like a lot OF
whipped ours"
'>Out of twenty-eight millions OF
working people in this country only
two millions belong to the union. That
makes about one man out Of every IA
! who is in the union. [ say that II
YOU can't make your living out OF
those IA honest men, you ought to
! 20 out of business. And If you don't
endorse these sentiments, I'll brand
the majority Of this association as
cowards"
Four cities contested for the next
meeting place of the association
Denver, Colo, Philadelphia, st. Louis
! and Rock Island, Ill. Denver was Sc
1ecfpd