The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-09-15
DECLARES
OFFICIAL REPORT
FALS|F|CAT|ON
Business Agent of Suspended
Philadelphia Garments
Union Makes Speech
in Theater.
NO BITTERNESS is
APPARENT IN TALK
Resolution Adopted Asking
Convention to Reconsider
and Give Case Hearing
Before Adjournment.

c. o. Pratt, business agent of the
suspended local union Of street rail
way employees, Of Philadelphia, took
a piece Of time -honored advice yester-
day and rented a hall. The hall in
question was the Salt Lake theater
and Mr.. Pratt talked to a large and
sympathetic audience, nearly every one
present being a delegate to the con-
vention Of the Amalgamated Associa-
tion Of Street and Electric Railway
Employees of America, which is now
in session in this city. Mr.. Pratt's
reason for renting hall was that
he had been denied permission to ap-
pear upon the floor of the convention
and make plea for himself and the
suspended union.
Perhaps, some day and in some man
ner, will be made known Just why Mr..
Pratt and the Philadelphia union were
suspended, but up to this time, it has
not been made plain. That the union
was suspended and its charter revoked
and that Mr.. Pratt also was suspended
is a matter of record, but the why's
and the wherefores are not forthcom-
ing.
Sensational Charge.
1t may be said of Mr. Pratt that
he is an entertaining and convincing
speaker and it may be further said that,
despite his declarations that he and
the union have been most unfairly
dealt with, his plea last night was
devoid Of extreme bitterness and he
appeared to be fair even to his Gen
emies.' Mr.. Pratt most sensational
charge was made near the close of his
address, when he declared that the in
ternational officers had falsifed their
report to the convention now in ses
sion and that he could prove it, if
given the opportunity. Although sew.
eral persons present had attempted to
interrupt Mr., Pratt during the early
stages Of his address, this statement
brought forth no protest.
The big meeting was presided over
by Brigham II, Roberts, who assisted
Mr.. Pratt and the street car men g
union in settling strike here some
wears ago, Mr.. Roberts said in intro.
ducing Mr.. Pratt that he had endeared
himself to the street car employees,
as we'll as the public, in this city and
that he was entitled TO a respectful
bearing Mr.. Pratt was given grci
ovation, as he acknowledged the intse
duction. In opening mis- address
said:
| am not here tonight TO assal the
personal chara cLer of any iDterna
tioDaI officers or to crtticse their ind
vldual shortcomings. l am here sole
~ in the interests OF the dues pay
ing members of organized labor. who
have been drawn into the movement
because OF its advocated policies of
justice and a square deal
They have been taught that the run
damen,al principles of the movement
that they are engaged In are the pro-
lection of the rights OF humanity;
that no man shall be condemned With
out fair and impartial hearing. and
that conciiation and arbitration were
To be substituted for power and force.
| am here tonight I'm the support of
| that doctrine while the carinens' con
| vention has boldly placed itself on
| record as repudlstng the entire ia
brio upon which their organization
/ founded