The Washington herald., 1908-08-25


10 the Central Labor Union voted last
night TO make their sessions held every
Monday night executive. and that here
after only such news as the press com
mittee may deem proper VIII be given
20 the newspapers.
This action vas taken after a stormy
debate lasting more than an hour. IN
which time the president Of the central
body threatened 10 have certain members
elected from the room If they did not keep
their seats and refrain from speaking
when some other member had the floor.
Charges that it was due TO the publicity
Of the meetings that caused strikes. open
shop movements. and various other hard
ships organized labor has suffered were
loudly proclaimed on all sides. One irate
member declared that Secretary Haywood
OF the Western Miners Association. was
brought TO trial for murder through the
yellow journals and permitting the pub
lie TO attend the meetings Of the associa-
ton. and that II 1t had not been for the
newspapers the brand placed upon him
by President Roosevelt as being an IN
desirable citizen" would not have gone
broadcast throughout the country.
Would Help Meetings.
Another member declared that certain
delegates would take more active part
IN the meetings Of the central body If the
newspaper men we're kept out, baslng
his claim on the theory that they were
tiuid and afraid the press would ridicule
their actions and speech
Milton SnellingS. a prominent organizer
and strike arbitrator, said that without
any disresPect TO the newspaper men
present he could cite cases where the
papers suppressed news Of conditions be
tween employer and employe that would
have been 10 the advantage OF the en-
ploye. and that they did ii because they
received a costly advertisement from the
employer he added While I do not
call this graft with the papers. it would
be so termed among labo-inE men
H W Templar. delegate from ColUm-
bia Typographical Temple. No. I1l. Of
fered the amendment 10 the COnstitu-
tion Of the central body making The meet
ings Of that body executive. and accom-
panying the amendment was long
.drawn-out argument. which had the ef-
feet Of causing a spirited debate.
TemPIar Accuses Press.
Templar said the papers did the labor
movement more harm than good He
added
When the employers association
wishes TO know anything about the move
ments Of labor in the District they pick
up the papers and our schemes Of com
batting them Ghe employers are laid
bare. and We C1he employees go openly
into the fight against men who are con
cealing their movements. Particularly
for this I desire an amendment 70 the
constitution
He further claimed that i the en-
ployers were ignorant Of organized
labor's movements there would be fewer
open shops in the District and more
local men at work He cited the
butchers strike as an illustration He
said that the butchers were doing Well
until the papers commenced 10 attack
them. and then the Importation OF sab
labor commenced
Ralph Collins. Of an evening paper.
got permission from the central body 20
make a few remarks in defense Of the
newspapers. Mr.. Collins said the papers
would get the news regardless Of how
many restrictions the Central Labor
Union put upon them. but he felt that
the central body was as friendly 70 the
papers OF Washington as the papers were
toward organized labor
Threat to Eject Delegate.
4 delegate from the bakers union kept
matters moving along IN a lively manner
BY attempting to argue every question
a delegate on the floor spoke upon Il
was finally suggested by the secretary
Of the central body that the sergeant-at-
tendency 10 quiet him temporarily.
George Bakersmith. secretary Of thA
butchers local union. No. 14s. reported
that the strike among the butchers was
no nearer an end than IL was a week
ego He said the packers were import
Ing men daily and filing their positions.
and unless the central body did some
thing for them there would be little OF
no chance for them TO regain their posi-
tons The matter was put 81 the hands
OF the adjusting committee with instruc-
tions 70 arbitTate. if possible, but 10
make some settlement.
BIames the Butchers.
Delegate Brinkman. OF the Carriage
Workers Union. said the strike should
never have taken place; that the butch
ers did not endeavor 10 settle the matter
amicably. but went ahead, not even get
ting the sanction Of the International
Union Of Butchers
Without regard 10 the injunction order
issued by Justice Gould, Of the District
Supreme Court. several months ago, the
central body placed Meyers Brothers. OF
Alexandria. on the unfair and don't
patronize list. This action was taken
after letter had been read from Meyers
Brothers stating they never did and never
would recognize organized labor, and that
they employed and contracted with en-
ployers who employed whoever they de-
sired