New-York tribune., 1919-06-13
A. f. of l.. Will
Vote onPlan to
Gust Burleson
Postal Clerks Union to Pre-
sent Resolution Asking
That CongressBe Urged to
1mpeach Cabinet Member
Staff Correspondence

al AA4> 44O O14 L, juno 1S.-lu Cno
course Of debate to-day on a resolution
endorsing the nationwide strike of
electrical workers, set for next Monday,
radicals from New York and the West
joined with ultra conservatives Of the
American Federation of Labor in de-
nouncing Postmaster General Burleson.
Due to a misinterpretation of a ques-
ton asking for information as to the
exact meaning Of the resolution, Daniel
j. Tobin, treasurer of the federation,
was threatened with a contest for re-
election.
The attacks upon Burleson came when
the committee reported out resolution
calling for the appointment Of COM
mlttee to go to Washington with repre-
sentatives of the Brotherhood Of Elec-
trical Workers in an effort to settle
their grievances with the telephone in
terests and failing that, pledging the
moral support of the federation to the
electrical workers.
Must Go to Congress
Thomas F. Flaherty, representing the
postal clerks, declared it was foolish
to send any committee to confer with
"the despotic, autocratic Burleson."
The only way relief could be had, he
said, was through Congress. SO far as
the union employees of the Postoffice
Department were concerned, they had
concluded that removal of Mr.. Burle-
son by the President or his impeach-
ment by Congress was the only way in
which the intolerable conditions ex-
listing in the department might be cor
rected.
"Next week" he said, "you will have
the opportunity Of voting upon a reso-
luton, presented by the postal organi-
cations, asking for just that action"
James P. Noonan, acting interna-
tional president of the electrical work
ers, declared the Postmaster General
had lodged responsibility for meeting
the demands of the electrical workers
by abolshing the wire control board,
and leaving it to the companies, which
had always been anti-union, to make
the fight
To Defence of Manley
The convention also went to the de-
fence of Basil NJ. Manley, late of the
War Labor Board, who is on duty at
the convention as a reporter, in the
attack made upon him by the New
Jersey Manufacturers Association.
Joseph B. Cannon, of New York,
brought the matter up in the form of
resolution reiterating the confidence
of the federation in the War Labor
Board and its members. This was
adopted after Mr. Woll suggested that
cognizance should also be taken Of a
recent article in a Socialist magazine
to the effect that two members of the
board had quite "sold out"
In like manner a resolution indors-
ing the United States Employment
Service and asking Congress to pass
the Nolan bill providing for its con-
tlnusnce was passed after a delegate
from Detroit had attacked the service
for alleged misrepresentation of con-
ditions in Detroit Conditions had
been made bad in that city, he said, BY
the announ cement of a member of the
service that there was a great short
age of labor there, when as a matter
OF fact there was a surplus. Suisse
quently the offending official had ad-
mitted his error privately, but refused
to make public correction.
Should Be Driven Out
"Such an Official" said Samuel
Gompers, who took the chair about
this time, "should be driven from the
service. The proper remedy for the
delegate from Detroit to apply is a
complaint to Secretary of Labor Will
son."
The remainder of the session was
devoted to addresses by Miss Margaret
Bonfield and Samuel Finney, represent
ing the British Trades Union Congress,
and Bujiro Suziki, of Japan.
Miss Bonfeld said it was significant
of the trend of times that the British
labor movement should send woman
on such mission. Mr.. Finncv told
of the progress of labor in politics in
Great Britain and predicted that the
next parliament would have a labor
majority.
Another candidate for the vacancy
on the executive council has appeared
in the person Of Martin Ryan, of the
Hallway Garments Union.
The committee on resolutions de-
cldcd to reject the plan of Tom
Moneys friends for a referendum
vote of all of the unions making un
the Federation for 24-hour strike in
September.
The resolution, as presented to the
committee, called first for a declara-
ton by the Federation of belief
that Mooney had been unfairly con-
Victcd; second, for the appointment
of n committee to seek intervention
by the Federal authorities; and. third
authorizing tho executive committee
to request the subsidiary unions to
take referendum strike vote.
The committee is prepared to report
resolution declaring for a new trial
or pardon for Mooney on the ground
that he was improperly convicted and
to seek Federal intervention.
Mrs. Rena Mooney and Anton
Johannson were among the advocates
or resolutions rs presented to the COM
mittec. Mrs. Mooney told the com.
mlttcc that her husband does not wish
pardon, but does want new trial
HE does not think he should be
compelled to accept pardon for a crime
he has not committed" she said
Paris Society Helps