The Washington herald., 1908-03-16

William Bradfeld president OF Local
No. a, Commercial TelegraDhers' Union,
was yesterday suspended by the executive
committee Of the union as a delegate to
the Central Labor Union.
BY vote Of three to two. the execu-
tive committee relieved Bradfield Of his
duties as delegate until the charges Of the
Central Labor Union that he Is an unsafe
man 70 be recognized as delegate, be in
vestigated.
Frank II. Lantz. chairman Of the execu-
tive committee, was named as delegate
TO the Central Labor Union pending Brad
fields suspension.
At the meeting of the executive com
mittee the charges against Bradheld were
read 10y Chairman Lantz 1t was alleged
that Bradheld had acted contrary TO the
wishes Of the American Federation Of
Labor and the International Commercial
Telegraphers Union in requesting Repre-
sentative Overstreet Of the Committee on
Post-ofiiees and Post Roads 20 refuse the
telegraphers hearings on the question OF
public ownership Of telegraph lines.
Alleged Violation of Confidence.
II was also alleged that Bradfeld vio-
lated a breach OF confidence when he
made public letter from Wesley Russell,
| secretary of the international
body This letter was supposedly per-
sonal 10 Bradfeld. an1 stated that the
international body had not discussed the
question Of government ownership Of the
telegraph lines.
II was on these charges that Bradfeld
was suspended pending an investigation.
Al The meeting II was stated that Brad
field had called certain members OF the
Central Labor Union anarchists" and
'know-nothings." BradfeId produced a
letter at the meeting purporting 20 be a
COPY Of the oae sent Representative Over
street The copy contained neither the
word anarchist" nor -knOw-nOthings
Tracing his actions from the time he
sent the letter 10 Representative over
street until denounced by the Central
Labor Union, BradheId asserted the
charges We're false. and that the central
body should recall the charges and pun
ish the author. He stated the charges
were based on hearsay conversation.
and contrary 20 the fairmindcd spirit OF
the Central Labor Union
Declares Charges UnfOunded.
Notwithstanding his plea. the executive
committee decided 10 suspend BradheId.
When seen after the meeting Bradfield is
sued the following statment:
The l3cal executive board of the Washington 10
cal. Commercial releuauhers Union of America.
ogrccd to-day % investigate charges which resulted
IN the request hy rhe Cert-al Labor Union for ms
Withdrawal a delegate 70 that body. and In the
meantime suspended ne as delegate until the
investigation has been had
OF course. I am gTatiacd 20 know that there viii
be an investigation. That is an that ! asked the
central body % grant me az the time the false
charges were made. But nov that I have conclu-
siyely proved the falsty of the charge upon whch
the request for nv withdrawal were based believe
that the central body should in justice % me and
rs oWn reputation for fairness recall its request
an1 punish those who made thcsc uuf0undcd cnarECS
The charges were that 7 had. in a letter % Con
gresham Overstreet chairman q the Committee on
Pos--oaices and Post Roads. denounced a. -zuar-
chists and kuow-ncthings certain delegates 90 the
Central Lab-r Union.
Denies Using Objectionable Words.
The letter made NJ mention whatever OF the
Central Labor Union or any q is members. uor
did j; contain the words anarchists and know
nothing nor was u written until after the post
oftoc committee had declined 20 consider the bin
shall demand thar the investigation he made
public. since the charges were made az public
meeting and opportunity 90 produce the evidence
rciutins them was unTlstly denied
Chairman Lantz. of the executive COM
mittee Of the telegraphers' union. stated
last night the charges viii be investigated
b. the committee at once. 'Braddeld viii
be fully eXonerated or proven guilty on
the charges said Mr.. Lantz. Il expect
We viii be able to make a full report by
sunday"
Mr- Bradheld a few days ago brought
himself into some prominence through an
open letter 10 Cotter T. Bride, in which
he stated his belief that Mr.. Bryan IS
not Democrat, and challenged Mr.. Bride
10 public debate on the point. Mr. Bride
declined the challenge on the ground that
he thought the question had been pretty
well settled by the people some time ago