The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-15
RESENT ACTION IN
ENDORSING BROWN
Labor Men Bitterly Oppose Hav
ing Federation Take Part in
Politics.
CALL FOR AN EXPLANATION
Mccting Ordered for Sunday, at
Which Committee Must
Show Cause.

A sharp demand for an explanation
with the probability of impcachrnent
proceedings against the president and
executive committee Of the State Fed
Grafton OF Labor because OF their re-
cent action indorsing ca9tain candi-
dates for public Office. in tho face OF
thc expressed determination OF the
federation not to go into politics. was
launched at well attended meeting
OF the Labor Day committee last night.
AS the committee is composed OF about
sixty men, representing the various
iocal unions In the Central Trades and
Labor Council of Richmond. it Is re-
preventative OF Il very large element
Of the state Federation Of Labor.
After debate Il resolution was adopt-
ed requesting President John Hirsch-
berg. OF the Central Trades and Labor
S"uncil OF Richmond. to call a special
meeting Of that body for sunday after.
noon ~ 1870 o'clock. at Labor Temple.
and that the president and members
or the executive committee OF the Vtr-
ginia Federation OF Labor be notified
By mail or telegraph to be present TO
defend themselves for having been a
party 10 political indCr9ement Of a
candidate for state Office
indorscd j. Thompson Brown
ne executive committee Of the state
Federation OF Labor mot IN Richmond
on Friday and Saturday o: last week.
the announced purpose of tho meeting
being 10 confer with the executive
committee OF tho Farmers Educational
and Cooperative Union of Virginia
with regard to the establishment
Jointly of weekly periodical for cir
oulatlon among farmers and labor men
IN this state. The meeting was not
open 10 tho public. hut following ad-
Journment an extended article was
published in an afternoon paper, stat
Ing that the TWO executive committees
had indorsed J. Thompson Brown for
Commissioners Of Agriculture against
the incumbent. George w koincr
Secretary Colvin of the State Fed
GRAFTON OF Labor. was quoted rs csti-
mating that the action Of the com
nittcc would gain $4,000 votes for
Brown among labor mon. while tho
secretary OF the farmers organization
thought II would mean 10000 farmer
votes for the same candidate.
Don't Wnnt P.rt In Politics.
The meeting last night was stormy
Some of tho speakers made IL clear
that they were not opposed 10 MIR
Brown, but We're seriously opposed to
the state Federation Of Labor going
INTO poIltlcS. II was stated afterwards
10 have been the clearly expressed
sense Of the meeting that the politi-
eating members OF the state committee
must resign or stand an impeachment
trial. Members explained that there
was nothing in the constitution of the
state Federation OF Labor which per-
United any such action. In fact three
weeks ago. when the State Federation
of Labor met in Danviile ana rcscindcd
"A former action In regard 10 Cougrcss-
man Carter Glass. the body iteslf dis
tincUy refused to iudorse Mr. Glass.
though Withdrawing criticisms it had
formerly made. Within three weeks
thereafter the executive committee
came to Richmond and indorscd can
didate for Commissioner OF Agricul-
turc. without consulting the local
unions, ana in Il contest in which no
special labor issuc had been raised
Speaking for the printers union last
night. member Of the Labor Day
committee said that there was great
Indignation at the action taken. Prcsi-
dent lIirschberE. of the Central Trades
and Labor Council. is also chairman Of
the Labor Day committee, and indi-
Gated at once that he would call the
meeting for Sunday afternoon, as out
lined in the resolution. 1t promises
TO be a stormy affair.