The Washington herald., 1908-06-30

4esa'es OF Inc Central Labor Union
last night voted against indorsine the
project to erect minion-dolIar national
temple Of labor in Washington.
This vote is believed to be death blow
to the Undertaking
The decision was reached after a dis
cussion by labor leaders lasting several
weeks When the question vas put to a
vote. the proposition to put organized
labor on record as being in favor Of the
project was killed by an overwhelming
vote.
recommendations Made.
The committee appointed to investigate
the affairs Of the Temple Association
closed the debate on the many charges it
had made. and recommended the follow
ing. which was adopted:
Your committee recommends that tbs
Central Labor Union withhold IFS in
dorsement Of the National Temple Of
Labor Association and that the entire
matter be brought TO The attention Of the
executive council Of the America Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor for considarati,- -
request that the council make a report
upon the proposition at the Denver CON
ventton, with view Of interesting ,ha
labor movement Of the country IN the en-
terprise."
several months ago a committee was
appointed on motion Of a Teunla en-
thuslast by the Central Labor I-nio,
10 consider the advisabiiitv Of a-ecti,e ..
the seat Of the Federal roverDr,ert =
temple Of labor. national in scope. The
committee met considered the ra,t.r
and submitted a favorable repor, IN ~.
Central Labor Union. Later The ca,tr.I
body adopted a motion giving the con-
mittee power 10 act. and as reSuI, ar
ucies Of incorporation were applied fo-
and granted.
From the time the charter -,ae g~a,.,s
II gave this committee absolute novror
over the affairs Of the ten,pIA ov.,i,s 4.
ana controlling It. and in so doing organ
lied labor was left without voice in The
matter. owning nothing and controlling
nothing.
"hle the matter has heretofore been
referred 10 the American Federation ~
Labor, certain labor leaders say the Fed
Grafton viii turn it down. as did the cen
tral body. and that the action 81 ,ba
central body practically puts the templa
proposition outside the pale OF Organized
labor in the District.
Defended by Ross.
FoHowing the regular order Of business
Of the central body. the temple question
was made "a special order Of business and
taken up.
K. 9. VI. Ross, business manager and
collector Of the association. was given
the floor Mr. Ross spoke several min
utes in defense Of the association and
denied tho charges OF the investigating
committee.
Following the defense by Mr.. Ross. P
J. Ryan. delegate from the Plate Print
ers, and ar attorney. got the floor. and
diagnosed the report OF the investigating
committee. He said the report had moth
ing in It; that it was put together with
out making any specific charges. He
added that the discussion of the question
had injured the organized labor movement
not only IN Washington, but throughout
the country and that by continuing 10
discuss the matter. they would kill the
proposition, and brand the men Of the
association as unbusinessIike.
Delegate Adams, of the Machlnists'
Union. rose at this point and asked II
the president of the association knew
how much of the money collected was in
the bank, and the president replied ne did
not know. This caused several of the
delegates 10 renew their interest In the
Delegate BTinkman. chairman OF the in
vesugating committee. got the floor. and
referred TO the 500 subscribed by Vice
President Fairbanks. and which. he said
had not been accounted for on the books
OF the organization. He said that Mr..
Fairbanks told him he had contributed
500 toward labor temple in Indian
apolls. but never remembered hearing the
building had been erected.
Wants TO Get Ont of the Middle.
We want 10 get out Of this muddle as
easily as possible" added Mr. Brinkman.
and we want to get out of It without
labor suffering"
Delegate Adams closed the debate. He
said he did not approve Of a labor tenn
pie; that he did not believe the time was
ripe. that labor was too poor and that
he hoped it would be so considered by the
central body.
Following the remarks Of Mr.. Adams.
the vote as TO whether organized labor
would indorse the movement was taken.
and with the exception OF half a dozen
delegates, the vote was against the propo-
sitiOn
s55.15 Denver. Colo. and Return.
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad account
Democratic National Convention. July