The Washington herald., 1909-07-13
DE NEDREY WINS
IN UNION ELECTION
Central Body Masters Tense
Labor Situation.
J. COLPOYC NAMED PRESIDENT
Opposition to Editor Of Trade Jour
nal Disappears at Annual Meeting
and He Is Made Delegate and Re
appointed ary-COnstItutIonaI
Bar Overcome by Precedent.

The building trades. represented by
I twenty-five local unions, were absolute
masters Of the tense situation last night
at the semi-annual election OF officers OF
( Central Labor Union. electing John
Colpoys. Of the carpet mechanics uuior.
president J. J. McCracNen. OF the hoist
ing engineers local. vice president. and
Sam De Nedrey. editor Of the Trades
Unionist. secretary.
The result Of last nights election is
looked upon by organized labor as a
big victory for the principles represented
by the American Federation Of Labor
in its national political fight and a per
sonal victory for Samuel GOmpers. presi-
dent Of that organization.
The fight centered upon the election.
first, Of sam De Nedrey as secretary
and John Colpoys as president. The other
officers were looked upon as secondary
considerations. The reason given 10 the
prominence OF the election OF De Nedrey
was due 20 the fact that while he had
been the secretary OF the central body
for a long time as a delegate from Co
lumbia Typographical Union. No. l0.
President Frank Kidd, Of that organiza-
tion. had recently failed 10 reappoint
him
Opposed Taft's Candidacy.
De Nedrey took UP the battle last year
mapped out by the American FEDERATION
OF Labor against Taft as candidate for
President. and canvassed a wide scope Of
territory He also opposed the election
OF Mr. Kidd as president Of the Typo
graphical Union.
It was thought that by the failure Of
the Typographical Union 70 appoint De
Nedrey delegate TO the central BODY he
would be ineligible for election as secre-
tary. It was alleged generally by the
friends Of De Nedrey and Gompers that
this move was 10 make Il appear. that
organized labor was opposed TO the stand
the American Federation Of Labor took
against the election Of Mr.. Taft. and that
union labor was a stanch supporter OF
the Republican administration as rspre-
sented by Mr.. Taft.
The attendance al the central body last
night was the largest in its history.
James MCHugh. OF the international
Stoneworkers' Union. assisted by r. J. /
NJ. Ross, OF the Sheet Metal Workers
were the political leaders in charge of (
the Gompers-De Nedrey faction. with I
Vice President Harry W. Templar. OF the /
central body. the supposed representative I
Of the typographical faction.
The light was opened Immediately after
roll call, when a surprise was sprung by 1
McHugh with a resolution making De \
Nedrey delegate to the central body by /
reason Of his being editor OF the Trades
JniOnist
The opposition showed fight and amend
nents few thick and fast When Nc
Hugh called for the previous question the
strength OF the GOmpers-De Nedrey fac
ion was shown in vote OF 50 TO Is for
he previous question This vote did not
now the real strength Of the friends or
De Nedrey, as many OF the votes Of thar
action were not cast on that question.
The resolution was adopted after being
reported by the committee and
De Nedrey was formally declared a dele
ate 10 the central body. with all the
privileges Of such, and entitled 70 hold
ny Office IN the organization.
First Big victory.
This was the first and big victory of
he Gompers-De Nedrey men. and they |
ollowed it UP BY electing by unanimous
ote John Colpoys as president Mr..
'emplar was nominated for president bv
latham Sprague. Of the Pressmen's I'm
IN, As were J. J. McCrac1en and John
orch the retiring president Of the
ody. Mr.. Templar declined, as did Mr. !.
orch. Just before the vote was cast Mr.
IcCracken withdrew and asked that Mr. !,
Olpoys be elected by unanimous vote
his was done amid enthusiasm.
When De Nedrey was named for sec-
staTy he was also elected by unanimous
ote. J
The other officers elected were J G
LcCracken. vice president; c. L. Nc @
lure, plate printers. financial secretary: \
Dressed Renee PaIIngs, &c Apiece.