New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-13
Body Plans to Expel Mem,
bers Affiliated With the
Peoples Council
Convention Is Pro-War
No Effort Will Be Made to
Force Peace Resolution
Through


! BUFFALO, Nov. 12.-President Will
son to-day fattened out the pacifists
who thought to put the American red
Grafton of Labor on record as opposing
the war. They may come back to life
and energy before the federation's thir-
! ty-seventh annual convention ends, a
I fortnight hence, but the leaders, from
Samuel Gompers down, who on Satur-
day were worried lest organized labor
be placed in false light, tonight de-
clare the danger passed.
More sigr hcent, perhaps, than the
| declaration of Mr.. Gompers that lust
so sure as the sun rises tomorrow, so
sure will this convention show that
American labor is loyal beyond all
/ question:" is the statement of J. Nah
/ len Barnes. leading light in the Peo-
Hes Council, that nothing toward
! J igcing the federation on record as OPP
/ posing the war will be attempted.
Until it was announced on Saturday
that Mr.. Wilson would be here today
70 lend the inspiration Of his presence
| to those who have insisted labor must
stand squarely back OF the govern
ment, the leaders were plainly worried
/ lest the federation be placed on record
rs being opposed TO the prosecution of
the war.
Tonight the pacifsts are worried
lest the Federation force out of exist
ence the United Hebrew Trades, the
central body which has been the main
support of the Workmen's Council. and
whose members formed the larger part
of the membership of the Peoples
Council.
Hebrew Trades Face Expulsion
Ernest Bohm. representing the Cen
trail Federated Union, of New York, to-
night presented a resolution TO the
committee in charge directing the in
ternational unions to compel their
local unions, now holding membership
in the United Hebrew Trades, 70 with
draw from that body. This resolution
will undoubtedly be reported our, with
the chances, as matters now stand, that
it will pass.
From the standpoint of those who
! hoped TO push anti-war resolutions
through the convention the day has
I been one series Of disappointments.
First they were confronted with the
declaration of William II. Johnston,
head of the international Association
of Machnists, that he would have moth
ing to do with any anti-war pro-
gramme. Johnston, lifelong Social
ist, had been counted on to throw the
weight OF his organization TO the Com
pers opposition.
Then came a telegram from Frank j.
Hayes, the new president of the United
Oh
lutely false a press report that he IS
coming with the miners delegation to
fight Gompers and the war policy OF
the leaders.
I'VE propose" he wired. "to stand
strongly behind the government and
those who are loyal to il until Kaiser
ism and militarism are wiped from the
face Of the earth"
When this came through Mr.. Barnes
declared that there was no inter ton.
so far as he knew, TO try TO force
peace resolution through the corven-
ton.
81 do not" said he. believe thai
any such effort will be made or that
it would succeed if it were made. Be-
yond a doubt the convention is with
Gompers."
Mr.. Barnes had been in conference
with Benjamin Schlesinger. interna-
tional president of the Ladies' Car
mcnt Workers, whose name has figured
prominently in the affairs of the Work
mcCs Council. lie was prominent in
Morris IIillquit's campaign ami had
been counted on to support any pacifst
move.
Il am for war" declared Schlesinger,
when asked where he stood at is I'M
Just to classify me as a pacifst."
The question Of pacifsm was in every
mind when, contrary to all convention
precedent, the delegates came TO order
promptly on the hour set. A few min
utes later the band played the national
anthem, which signalled the arrival Of
the President under escort of the stu
dent officers from Fort Niagara. With