New-York tribune., 1918-02-24
Gompers Gives
Hebrew Trades
48 Hours Grace
A. F. of l.. Head Orders
Seating Of Delegates From
United Garment Workers

samuel Gompers last night gave the
United Hebrew Trades fortv-eicht
hours IN which to accede to the de-
mands of the American Federation of
Labor and seat delegates from the
United Garment Workers, under PEN
atty of having the order to all subor-
dinate unions to withdraw their dele
gates from the United Hebrew Trades
made Immediately effective
Gompers's declaration was his answer
TO reports emanating from United He
brew Trades circles to the effect that
an armistlce in which compromise
might be arranged had been agreed
upon.
"Whoever says there has been any
agreement reached or any promise
made of staying the execution of that
order lies,' said the president of the
federation when the report was repeat
ed to him. "Ihe United Hebrew
Trades will either obey the orders of
the American Federation OF Labor or
stand the consequences. They must do
as they have been told, otherwise the
orders to the internationals will issue
as voted by the executive council act
ing under the orders of the Buffalo
convention."
That the East Side leaders regard
the situation as serious was manifested
when Abraham Cahan. editor of "For-
ward and a controlling factor in East
Side labor matters, called at the Hotel
Continental, Mr. Gompers's New York
headquarters. Previously he had sought
meeting in "some neutral place" only
to be told by Gompers, whom he has
long opposed, that he knew "of no
more neutral place than my room"
Mr.. Cahan waited in the lobby some
time, and, after finding that he would
not be received by Mr.. Gompers except
in the presence of witnesses, left with
out seeing him.
Benjamin Schlessinger, president of
! the international Ladies' Garment
Workers Union. who was recently
elected business manager of Cahan's
paper, called later. He had long talk
with Mr.. Gompers, urging that the or
der of the executive council exceeded
the constitutional powers of the Fed
Grafton. He was told that the execu-
tive council would not recede from it's
position.
~ Mr.. Schlessinger, when leaving the
Continental, said a mountain was being
made Of molehill.
The international Ladies' Garment
workers Union always has been loyal
10 the Federation and Will continue to
an honest difference Of opinion as to
the constitutionalitv of an act without
any question Of loyalty being raised,
We contend that the Buffalo convention
dld not require that the United Hebrew
Trades seat the United Garment Work
ers. 1t is an entirely new matter. 1t
I'd call upon the trades not to dis
orimlnate between the Amalgamatcd
! Clothing Workers Union and the
United Garment Workers. That de-
mand is being complied with"s
MIR. Gompers's associates insisted
that in refusing to seat delegates from
ire United Garment Workers the
tnted Hebrew Trades Disseminated
against the United Garment Workers
shd made 1T possible for the radical
East SIDE supporters of the Amalga
mated TO describe the United Garment
Workers as a "scab" affair
Max Pine, secretary of the United
Hebrew Trades, yesterday estimated
the number of workers who would be
affected py the order to quit the United
Hebrew Trades at more than O.0Oo.
There are, said he. "between $4,000
and $4,000 painters and paperhangers.
about 10000 makers of womens gar
ments, about 10000 cloth hat and cap
makers, 5000 to 5000 neckwear max
ers, 5000 theatrical workers, and 5000
members of Federal locals"