New-York tribune., 1918-02-22
Latter Refused to Seat Del
egates of United Gar
ment Workers
Bitter Fight Predicted
Gompers to Broaden Work of
Fighting Disloyalty in
Labor Circles

Ahe onllcu HcDreW Trades having
refused to comply with the demands
OF the American Federation of Labor
that 1t sent all representatives of
union affiliated with the federation that
may present themselves, the executive
council of the federation has voted to
ofder all national and international
bodies affiliated with it to withdraw
the representatives Of their locals from
the United Hebrew Trades.
The necessary notices arc now being
prepared" said Robert Maisel, director
of the American Alliance for Labor and
Democracy, of which Samuel Gompers
IS the president, yesterday. "ln few
days they will be in the hands of the
various national and international
bodies and it will be up to them to.
! act :"
To War On Disloyalty
The announcement Of the decision
of the executive council OF the fedora
ton followed meeting Of the exccu-
tive board of the American Alliance
ior Labor and Democracy, formed by
Samuel Gompers to fight dislovalty
within the labor movement and to
Americanize the movement in those
sections where un-American ideals pre-
vail. Mr.. Gompers presided at this
meeting, at which were present W. r.
Gaylord, of Wisconsin: j. G. Phelps
Stokes, John Spargo, William Edlin,
Mathew Woll of Chicago, David J.
Berry of Pittsburgh. and James Holland,
state president of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor.
AT this meeting it was decided to
broaden the scope Of the alliances 10y
atty work and make larger use Of the
printed word to carry on the propa-
ganda
Public announcement of The decision
of the executive council OF the Amer
lcan Federation in the United Hebrew
Trades matter, reached ten days ago,
was delayed until yesterday in order
to permit yet another effort to avoid
what Mr.. Gompers in a recent state
ment predicted might easily be a war
Of serious consequences to the entire
labor movement. This effort, as the
many others Of a similar nature or
the last few years. failed, and ycste>
day veterans in the labor movement
were predicting the bittercst fight in
the local history OF organized labor.
The fight centres about the Anal
gamated Clothing Workers Union, made
up OF seeding members Of the United
Garment Workers, one Of the oldest
constituent bodies Of the American
Federation Of Labor. The Amalgamated.
controlled by the radical element Of
the East Side, has had the unofficial
support Of the United Hebrew Trades,
though it has not held membership in
that body. and direct financial assist
ancc from unions affiliated with it,
The work Of the United Garment
Workers has been hampered by the tag
Of "scab" put upon it by the radical
press Of the East Side. TO avoid this
the United sought membership in the
United Trades, but has been consistent
ly refused.
Matters were brought to head
shortly after the declaration Of war
with Germany. when high officers Of the
American Federation OF Labor accused
the Amalgamated of being closely
affiliated With the Peoples Council IN
its war on the federation. because OF
the latter's support of the nations
then led the Central Federated Union.
Of New York to initiate the action now
completed by the federation's executive
council.
Decision No Surprise
When Max limestone, in charge Of
the United Hebrew Trades Offices in
the Forward Building, 175 East Broad
way, was told last Night OF the action
Of the executive council, he said he was
not surprised.
at is what we have been expecting"
said he. "Ihc whole thing is now up
to the internationals."
"Do you expect all of the interna-
tional unions will act?'
Time will tell" he replied. "But
if they all do as they arc told the
United Hebrew Trades Will continue
to live. They cannot Kill the olgani
7ation."
Prominent labor men, opposed to the
United Hebrew Trades, last night eX
pressed the belief that some of the in
ternationals may decline to follow
orders and that the local unions Of
others Will insist on remaining IN the
United Hebrew Trades.
"This," said one, "simply means that
any international failing to obey will
find its right to seats in the st. Paul
convention Of the American Federation
Of Labor challenged. 1t will be in bad
standing and viii have to clear its
house before its standing viii be rc-
stored
The United Hebrew Trades in the
past has been a most important factor
in organizing Russian immigrants. It
now claims a membership of 100000,
most of whom are engaged in the needle |