Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-11
Vice President Milton SneIIings
Resigns From Buchanan
Organization.
SAYS COUNCIL FAVORS
GERMANY IN THE WAR
Declares It Is Not Representative
of "0rganized Labor"-A. F.
Of L. Gives Out Letter.

The resignation Of Milton snellings Of
| Washington, vice president of the In
ternational Union Of Steam and Operat-
| ing Engineers, from the Office Of first
vice president Of Labor's National
Peace Council was transmitted to Rep
resentative Buchanan Of Illinois. prest-
dent Of the council, July 20. according
to announcement made at tho Amert-
can Federation Of Labor headquarters
| here. The publication Of Mr.. Smell
ings' letter Of resignation BY the
American Federation Of Labor u taken
as a formal Reputation OF tho council
by that organization.
Mr.. snellings letter charged that the
peace council was not representative
of organized labor in this country, and
that behind it was q propaganda Ia
vorinE Germany in the present war.
His letter was as follows:
snellings' Letter.
Ever since the meeting which was
| held June % and 20 at the St. James
Hotel, this city. and at which was or
ganized the Labors National Peace
Council, I have been rummaging over
in my mind tho course which ought to
pursue, both in regard to tho associa-
ton and the office to which was elect
ed. for if there is anything repugnant
to me it is even to be suspected or
placed in a position where my actions
do not square with my conscience.
LAS you are aware. because you were
ington Central Labor Union. I was at
first disinclined to accept the selection
Of the C. L. U. to participate in your
conference the following day. but a
cluded that it was safe to follow your
leadership in this matter, and I ac-
cepted the appointment. After your
election to the presidency I was elect
elected to the several offices created.
and. to the best of my ability, gave
whatever assistance I could. I was in
hope that some contribution might be
the attainment of an early. honorable
and humane peace among the nations
now engaged in the European war.
Becomes Disguised.
But, sir, when discovered persons
participating in the meeting who have
been hanging on the fringe of the la
Dor movement for their own personal
aggrandizement-m who have been
discarded, one who is expelled from the
international union of his trade, and
others never having been members of
any organization of labor am free to
say that it caused me considerable
chagrin, disappointment and disgust.
After having elected our officers, in
Guiding a treasurer, tho question was
asked how this movement was to be
considerably impressed when no one
deigned to give a reply. Later. when
you and John Torch, one of my asso-
ciates, were together and the same
osfi
you, you may perhaps imagine my
establishment when you. answered:
This thing Is big enough SO that I
do not care where the money comes
from to finance it..
Plan to Stop Allies Munitions.
ut may be interesting. yet until now
unknown to you, that when Mr.. Torch
was sitting in the meeting. and in con-
versation with Jacob c. Taylor. the
delegate from East Orange, N. j.. Mr..
Lorch asked:
What, after. all. does this council
want to do"
"Mr. Taylor replied: We want to
stop the expectation Of munition to the
allies. You see, Germany can manu-
facture all the munitions she wants
Surely. when l heard this, the i'm
preston made upon my mind was not
that the council was seeking peace, but
rather to play into the hands of one
Of the nations engaged in the European
war as against the others.
"Since the adjournment of the meet
ing ] find about the most active mon
in the effort to carry on the work of
the Iabor's National Peace Council are
William b. Martin and Herman j.
Schulteis. and this. too, has considera-
bly, disconnected me.
1.-The horrifying incidents which have
occurred in our National Capital and In
New York, together with the facts l
have recited, have determined the
course which I ought to pursue. 1t
will be my pleasure, as it is my duty,
to cooperate with my fellow-workers
in the organized labor movement and
with all other conscientious persons
and bodies for the purpose of bringing
about an early and honorable peace,
but can no longer permit my name to
be associated with an organisation
when the action of some of it's men
justiies suspicion and condemnation
because of their wrong doing. /, there
fore, beg to tender my resignation as
first vice president, and all connection
with the Labor's National Peace Coun-
Gil. to take effect at once.
IT should add that for you, person
ally, and several of the gentlemen who
participated in the conference. 1 enter
tain great respect, even though / feel
that a mistaken course has been pur-
sued"
H0pE N0II Tn REpIl