The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-22
UNIONS PERIL IN l. ". ". AND
 RED FACTIONS Timothy A. Flanagan, State President, Tells
 His Views
Radicals Invading Union Organ izations Driving Many From
 Membership

Timothy A. Flanagan, twice preSi- dent of the Connecticut Federation of Labor, sees in the activities of the I. w. w., and in the tendencies of the so-called Reds in the American Federation of Labor, the greatest peril of organized labor.
 'sThe principles of the I. w. ". and the American Federation of Labor said he, are so different that it is not the benefit of the worktngman. When the men of I. w. W. tendencies affi1- late with the organizations of the A. F. of L., and try to introduce I. w. W. Ideas into the A. F. of L. customs, the organized workInen who believe in peaceful negotiations of trades dis putes cannot help but become dis gusted.
 MT. F1anagan's discussion was in. connection with resolutions adopted by the Hartford Central Labor Union at a meeting last evening. Hartford is a case in point said he. t'The Gen. tra1 Labor Union of Hartford is in bad shape. It has been in the hands of politicians for as long as I can remember. The Central Labor Un- | ion has not been able to do much for the workingnan of Hartford because l representative of the workingm en-! l The building crafts are not connect ed with it, but have a separate or ganfzation. There is not enough un- 1 ity of purpose to reach any definite end. The factory employees of Hart | ford have representation in the Gem tra1- Labor union there, but it does not accomplish much for them.
 MT. Flanagan expressed his disgust at the dfscredit brought upon the A. F. of L. by the rioting and kindred disturbances in labor movements | xxrI 1feT7 haer r w T77 pices.
 Personally have no knowledge that the I. w. w., is much interested in Bridgeport just now said he. But I do know. that right in the A. F. of L. in Connecticut the "Reds' so-call- 1 ed, are driving many men, union men at heart, out of the trades unions. As for myself, I've seen so much of the Reds in the State organization that I'm ready to quit my official position any time.
 TThat doesn't mean continued Flanagan, that I'm not just as much in earnest in the labor movement as I've been at any time. I'm ready to go out on strike to-day and to stay 1 out and employ every legitimate and lawful means to better the conditions
 of my fellow craftsmen or any union men. But I'm sick and tired of the l efforts of men who are members of l the American Federation of Labor to
 bring into that body the ideas that
 belong to the l. w. w. or the Social | ist party. There's no need of such
 steps, and the labor movement will prosper without them. I don't be-
 heye in dynamiting, and never have
 believed in it.''.
 MT. Flanagan completes two years
 as state president of the Federation
 next month. He said to-day he was I not a candidate for reelection, but
 that he would not refuse reelection
 if the administration caucus saw it to call on him to run again.
 There will be about a dozen dele i gates from Bridgeport to the conVen- l ton which will be held in New Brit
 ain opening Sept. 8. The carpenters l have named Martin L.. Kane, their
 business agent, Robert Quinn and J. I Edward Breen as delegates along with | Charles Stout, a carpenter who by vir- | tue of presidency of the c. l.. U. will inent in socialist politics and Social ist nominee for mayor, will represent the C. l.. D.. also, while the typo graphical workers, plumbers, brewery 1 workers, theatrical employees, bakers, l machfnists, holders and other crafts allied with the A. F. of L. will have
 representation.
 In Hartford last evening the Central Labor Union adopted resolutions l bearing on public discussion of the
 likelihood that the L W. w. planned a Il campaign of organization in that city i and the c. [. U. went on record as op- l blaming Hartford manufacturers for opposing the c. L. U. and bringing | about a condition that would make | possible the inroads of tfe [ w W