The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1921-05-13
AND
INGRATITUDE
OF SECY BUCK
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mo care of restitution in their
ranks. His local will pay up It's
tax as soon as circumstances VIII
hermit. However, Bro. Northway is
secretary of the Building Trades
Council, of Spokane, which is aftll-
lated with the Federation and III
rood standing; he is also the State
member of the State Building Trades
Committee and in that capacity is
serving as an officer of the Fed
Grafton. When the objections to his
voting at the last Council meeting
were raised by Vice-President Pearl,
| Immediately ruled that, technically,
Bro. Northway was not entitled TO
vote, but pointed out the practlce
pursued, as above outlined, and theh
ruled, in order to keep the records
clear. that inasmuch as objection
had been raised, that he would not
be permitted to vote, but that he
would be allowed to participate IN
the discussions of the Council II
there were no objections to that Ell
feet then asked Vice-President
Pearl and Secretary Buck, separate
ly, if they objected to him sitting
in the meeting and participating IN
the discussion without vote, and both
answered mo"
In another section of the letter
it is also charged that it cost the
workers of Washington $4,000 for
this Council meeting, which it isl
tharged was called for campaign
purposes. This is a fair example
Of THEIR impression Of response
bilities of office. Had the plans
Matched by them been permitted to
stand, and the returns handled as
they would have been in violation
of the constitution, one single pro-
test from any affiliated local would
have invalidated the entire election
and cost the Federation thousands Of
dollars, in addition to the tormoil
and Generalization that would have
resulted the evil affects of which
could not be computed in dollars
and cents. 1t is equivalent to
saving that any money spent to
protect the Federation against the
illegal conspiraces of Messrs. Pearl
and Buck is money wasted. | will
be satisfied to abide the judgment
of the workers of the state on this
and all other questions involved.
Secretary Buck in his letter states ::
81 am lending my efforts and in
fluence CD to the movement to
putting a stop to the practice of
selling labor influence and the repu
tation of the workers confidence"
No mention is made of the fact
that he personally owns stock val
ucd at $3.50 in the Listman Service,
and that before this matter was
made political issue took several
lessons in stock craftsmanship with
this concern preparatory to accept
ing position in that capacity with
them. No mention is made of the
fact that he admitted to the Coun-
ell that he had given consideration
to the question of accepting a posi-
ton with the Financial Federation
of Producers and of severing his
connections with the State Fedora
ton, and that the men actively con
nected with the corporation had de-
clined to invite him to accept the
position, due to the opposition Of
labor men connected Herewith who
knew from experience the utter un-
reliability of L. w. Buck.
He charges in several sections Of
his letter, in substance, that this
thing has all been planned by me tc
discredit him and assure my owr
success. Let me say in that con-
ncction that there has never been
any doubt at any time, or now, or
my part as to my success in this
election. Even Mr.. Buck has &C.
knowledged to his friends that that
was assured and that it was only
a question of how great my ma
iority would be; and no one has
tried harder to avoid the kind OF
controversy that has been raised
than |, and, as proof of this, al
the Council meeting in question,
recommended to the Council that
in the preparation of our letter
dealing with the changing of return
address from the post office box
to the legitimate headquarters that
the letter be made as mild as pos
sible and that we avoid placing the
responsibility where it belonged in
order to avoid this controversy.
made this suggestion to Secretary
Buck and President Pearl and
both agreed that if such a letter
was drawn they would sign it and
protect the locals against such a
controversy. | admit drawing the
letter, and say now that many of
the real facts in the case were
omitted, purposely to avoid conflict
and when the letter was submitted to
Secretary Buck he suggested several
amendments as stipulation for his
approval. These amendments were
included verbatim and he signed the
letter, as you have noted, together
with the other Board members. His
betrayal of the agreement reached
with the Council on this point is
only in line with his betrayal of
every other confidence that his as
sociates have reposed in him dur
ing the last year. His charge that
searched his desk to find certain
J tnInPS therein ic on upc,,o1;f;oJ Il: