The Sun and the New York herald., 1920-09-11
POLICE RESCUE
GOMpERS IN new
BIG UNION FIGHT
Flstlcuffs and KnOckdOwn
Mark Attempt to Unity
100000 UniOnists.
'B00S' FOR 9 LEADERS
Radicals Howl When HOl-
land and Brady Are Put
on Committee.
Il. r. T. STRIKE IND0RSED
Painters Delegate Beaten by
Builders and Carried Out
Of Meeting Room.
'B0OS' FOR 9 LEADERS
Il. r. T. STRIKE INDORsED

Police reserves went TO the rescue
OF Samuel oompers, president OF the
American Federation OF Labor when
tho meeting IN tho Central Opera
House over which he was presiding,
got beyond his control ana hst fights
and general disorder wound up the In
itial attempt to bring into being New
Yc-l.'s "ono big union" embracing
moro than 100000 men.
One delegate from the painters
union, beaten up by men OF the build
Ing trades. was carried from the hall,
and call for police brought reserves
from the East Fifty-seventh street
station. When they arrived order had
been obtained and tho meeting ad-
journed.
The Nights we're the direct result OF
the naming Of James p. Holland. pres'
dent OF the State Federation Of Labor,
and Peter J. Brady as members Of a
committee to draw up n working con-
atltution for the new central body.
When Mr.. Gompers called the name OF
Holland a storm OF hCoing rose from
tho more radical delegates. who de-
manded that his narde be withdrawn
from the list. They bcocd again when
Brady's name was reached. and then
trouble started on the floor.
Husky MGa Guard Holland.
Gompers called TO Holland, asking
him " no would serve upon tho COM
mittsa The state .aboS leader started
down the floor. making his way toward
the platform. Men rose cxcitedly from
their seats and some made their way
toward the aisle:, apparently intent
upon blocking his path, But body
guard Of husky teamsters and long
shoremen shouldered up the aisle and
escorted Holland TO the platform
Gompers stormed and pleaded In vain
for order. HE voice drowned IN the yells
OF nearly IA thousand men, The dele
gates had split up into scufiilng groups
Several OF them ran up to the platform
ana shouted nt the chairman They're
killing n man. and you'll be responsible
for his DEATH
Then the hubbub died down and Hol-
land. with his race set. shook his ilst
at tho crowds ant snouted II know
where this boong comes from. I've
: A.. nj - al
I've been In tho labor movement and
III keep on hghting them until l die"
Then he turned to Gompers and said !;
IN serve. Mr., Chairman
DiacOntent Forced 60 Surface.
President Gompers was deeply shaken
by the outburst He had guided the
| meeting through tho earlier stages care
| fully along the lines decided upon by
! the executive council, which In sponsor
Ing the consolidation, and up to this
point had been able TO keep the meeting
In orderly motion.
The fight forced to the surface the
discomfort which has been growing for
some time among certain OF the unions
! In the city against the rule OF the ma
tional federation. II appeared early In
the meeting. when the Painters Union,
following n vote Of support for the strik-
ing Il. r. T. trainmen, endeavored "a
enlist similar support for It's own men,
The motion was howled down.
There was plain evidence OF struggle
for supremacy In the new body between
J. p. Coughi!n, president OF the Brook
! lyn Central Labor Council Edward l.
Hannah. president OF the Central Fed