New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-02
Boycott Move
Against Legion
Is Denounced
New York County Chairman
Replies TO the Attack on
the Veterans Ivy Delegates
Of the Federated Union
Not Strik Breakers
Charge of Painters Secre.
tary Is Called Absurd
by Henry ". Buxton

- " 1StCE6ttS 10 IHS tSnJIAI
Federated Union 81 this city to bring
about q boycott" of the American
Legion because of alleged "strika-
breaking activities BY Legionnaire
yesterday provoked IA vigorous reply
from Henry W! Buxton. New York
County chairman Of the veterans or
gsniaation.
Chairman buXtons attention had
been called TO letter read before the
Central Federated Union by Ernest
Bohm. secretary, and written by C. Bell.
secretary OF Local 81, Brotherhood Of
Painters, Decorators and Paperhanxers
in which that Official said:
II have been instructed by Local 81
owing to the fact that the Ameri-
can Legion has used its members rs
Strlke-oreakers, 10 request you to in
struct the members OF organized labor
not to join that body and to insist that
All labor m9mbcrs now in the Legion
sever their connection with the same,
rs their principles are CONTRARY ana
detrimental 70 the principles OF organ
ICED labor"
Members of the union Endorsed the
sentiment expressed in the letter SITTER
Bohn had read it. and it was this ex-
preston that stirred Chairman Buxton
TO issue his statement
The charge that the Americ can lie
glon has used It's members as strike
breakers, and consequently injured
members OF organized labor" he said
IL rs unjust as it is absurd"
Won't Oppose Organized Labor
"Our organization has since its in
csption retained its cordial regard for
organized labor-thousahd of our
members hold union cards-and we
have steadfastly maintained the atti-
Jude taken at the national convention at
Minneapolis. We are in no sense n
20 any call BY any authority to sup
press demonstrations by organized la
nor. We recognize the right Of organ
lZed labor to strike at any time il be
iieves it has a grievance.
Our action has been directed. and
will continue to be directed, at those
who seek by sabotage OF lawlessness to
attain their selfish purposes.
american Legion members volun-
teered in some c,;ses TO run trains dur
ing the recent outlaw walkout because
II was called without the sanction Of
organized labor and, therefore. was
simply radical demonstration which
threatened the very life OF the com
lnunity. Had organized labor Endorsed
that walkoUt we should have assumed
the cause was just and would have
adopted policy in keeping with the
Minneapolis resolution-'hands Off
When law and order are violated
~ the RADICAL element cropping for the
are as truly bound to defend their aag
as they were in April, 1917. ;,
Probably Based on INSTRUMENTATION
"The accusations against the Ameri-
can Legion embodied in the letter writ
Ten by Mr.. Bell either are based upon
INSTRUMENTATION, which I hope they arc.
OF they would appear to be q doiber-
ate attempt to iniure the Legion"
Mr.. Buxton called attention 70 a res
olution passed last week by The counts,
committee of the Legion. in which the
members volunteered for May Day duty
# riots developed, the last paragraph
OF which read:
with the proviso that the American
Legion volunteers be called 20 active
duty only when the emergency is clear
~ established to be of radical ma
ture, inspired and melted by radicals.
without just cause and directed against
the public welfare
This paragraph made it clear, the
county chairman insisted, that il vas
not the intention OF che Legion to in
.erfere with organized labor
eve are after the Reds" he con
tnued, "and propose to direct all our
energy against them. They give no
quarter and should expect none''
Refers to Comper's Attitude
Mt. Buxton called attention to .
letter written by Samuel Gompers.
PRECEDENT Of the American Federation
Of Labor, some time ago to +. B. Will
kin, secretary Of the Needles, Calf.
Union Labor Council, in which M.
Gompers said:
1.-THE American Federation of Labor
has not made any declaration regard
ing the American Legion, but. speak
ing for myself cannot see any rea-
son why ex-service men, whether mem
beSs of organized labor or not, should
not So!n the American Legion"
About 500 Delegates were present at
the Central Federated Union meeting
Friday night when Secretary Rohm
read the Bell letter. When he put the
question Of indorsing the. sentiment
expressed therein 20 the members
about zoe voted afirmatively. The
others failed TO register their opinion
either for or against. There was no
discussion of the question