The New York herald., 1921-12-08
CHARGES PUT TO JURY
Electrical Union Inquiry
Stopped as Evidence
Points to Crime.
WIDOW TO GET HER $3.50
Plasterers Arbitrator Who AS
sesses Fines Has No Brief
for Employers.

Hugh Frayne, general organizer and
New York representative of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, testifying
yesterday before the Lockwood Legis
lative Committee on Housing. admitted
that several forms Of abuses had crept
into local labor organizations. and that
while this was a regrettable fact there
was little that the A. F. Of L. could do
about it.
The federation, said Mr.. F'rayne, was
opposed to limitation Of membership
as practised by organizations investi-
gated by the committee since Monday.
Itis opposed also to abuse of the per-
NIT card system, but because most OF
the organizations enjoyed full auton-
ony in this respect the federation had
no jurisdiction. Mr.. Frayne himself
would correct these abuses If he had
the powc-, he told the committee.
One suggestion by Samuel Inter
myer. counsel, met Mr.. F'rayne's Wig
orous objection. That was that the
labor unions be compelled to incor-
porate. AS he was leaving the stand
the labor leader said:
II hope you will not recommend any
legislation that will compel the unions
to incorporate"
EmpIoyers' Suits Feared.
Mr.. Untermyers idea is that incorpo-
ration. while not interfering with the
freedom OF action of the organizations.
would guarantee sn honest administra-
tion for members and the public. He
wanted to know why Mr.. Frayne OBJ
iected so seriously to the suggestion.
The latter explained:
Because it would result in the ern-
ployers invoking the law against the
unions on any and every pretext. 1
know that from experience"
Mr.. Frayne thought that not all Of the
abuses in the building industry were due
to the labor unions. adding:
r~"I would not like the impression to
go out that we are entirely to blame.
don't want only the dark side Of the
picture presented"
Wow far will the American Fedora
tion of Labor go in correcting the abuses
complained of and exposed by this COM
mttee?" Mr.. Uptermyer demanded.
I'VE Will so as far as it is possible to
go--as far as we should CO." Mr.. Frayne
replied. He had explained previously
that the Federation had no jurisdiction
or control over local organizations that
did not hold their charters direct. but
operated under authority Of some inter-
national union. I'VE can only employ
moral suasion," he explained. Except to
express n desire to see employers and
the unions unite to eliminate conditions
which increase the cost Of building, the
labor man could be no moro definite.
An interested listener at the session
who was with Mr.. Frayne was Thomas
L. Williams, a member of the National
Board of Cancellation of the Department
OF Labor. He has engagements to-day
and later with Christian G. Norman,
chairman of the Board Of Governors Of
the Building Trades Employers Asso-
citation, with view of ironing out sorne
OF the differences between the employ
ers' association and the Building Trades
Council
Further investigation into the finan-
cial operations of Local No. of tho
Electrical Workers Union. which, it
was shown, derived q huge income by
issuing working permits at $3.50 q week
10 nonunion workers, while keeping the
membership restricted to $500. about q
fourth Of the electricians In tho city,
was stopped and the record sent to tho
Grand Jury.
MT. Untermyer charged that the evi-
dence showed officials OF the organiSs-
tion had conspired to extort money
from members Of the union. contractors
and builders, and said that he would
ask for an extraordinary term OF the
Grand Jury in the case. In addition 20
extortion, he said. grand larceny had
been practiscd.
widow to Get Her es10.
William A. Hogan, financial secretary
Of the Electrical WORKERS Union, who
collected death benefits from members,
has agreed to pay to Mrs. Margaret
Smith, widow of James T.. Smith, $50
representing the difference between
Smiths insurance Of s1.ooo. which Hogan
collected on a will that never was pro-
bated. and $50 he paid out for funeral
expenses. Mrs. Smith, who Is a cripple
and financially dependent on a son-in-
law, testified that the union officials
rever told her that she was entitled 70
1000 insurance on her husbands life.
1t was announced that Hogan had
promised to pay the money In twenty
four hours.
William ]. Walsh. president of Local
No. 3: whitford, the recording secre-
tary. and man named Boyne, who was
Hogan's assistant, were called TO the
stand. but excused when they refused ID
sign waivers OF immunity. Walter d.
Allen of Lynbrook, a former member,
told of being ''lifted'' from his fob when
nc attempted to correct abuses. One
or his complaints was about the way
the organization elected Its offIc~r& He
said:
They'll ride into office one week and
the naxt they are riding around N ey.
tensrve automobiles"
Michael Coleran. youthful president