The Connecticut labor news., 1921-07-15
HARTFORD CARPENTERS In MERRY
CONTEST OVER TWO BUSINESS AGENTS,
ONE OF WHOM WILL NOT GET OUT

none OF them passed or lost, enabled
Mr.. Parsons to get the keys Of the
desk nor the car from Mr. Gerety
One motion to the effect that the
newspapers be informed of the eleC-
ton OF a new business manager was
ruled out of order by Chairman
Thomas P. O'Brien. Another motion
which was declared out of order di-
rected Mr.. Gerety to turn the union
property over to the trustees with
the understanding that the trustees
would turn it over to Mr.. Parsons.
Mr.. Parsons Statement.
Mr. Parsons made the following
statement:
of | had been defeated in an cleo
ton, | would retire and congratulate
my rival, and if any organization
made it apparent to me by vote that
was not wanted in office, l most
certainly would get out. The vote
Of the union shows that Mr.. Gerety's
services were not wanted without my
saying anything about his record |
am doing the duties Of my office as
we'll as | can, handicapped by the
lack of tools. | do not have to re-
quest that the property of the union
be turned over to me. That is up to
the organization itself and to the
trustees.
Referred to Headquarters.
The matter has been referred to the
national headquarters of the union in
indianapolis, which will have the final
decision in the matter. The position
pays So a day, rs per cent. above the
wages Of a journeyman carpenter, Mr.,
Gerety has held the office for about
three years Mr.. Parsons is former
president of the union and was the
candidate for governor on the ticket
Of the nationalist party several years
ago
Mr.. Gerety's Contention.
Mr.. Gerety said that he regretted
any dispute which had arisen over the
election. at is really not as serious
as it might appear" he said. "And is
not a disagreement but merely tam
ilv quarrel SO far as | am concerned,
| am recognized by the national head
quarters as the properly elected busi-
ness agent for this city, and naturally
the ruling from Indianapolis, where
the national organization is located,
will be followed by officers OF the local
union"
So far as reports of dissatisfaction
with his work are concerned, MI
GeretV sad tllat lie WOulu HOl NSll I
to make anv comment. He feels GER
tain that he will have the backing OF
the union headquarters and added that
he only regrets that the disagree
ment. which he does not think serious,
has arisen as a cause of dispute among
the union members. Mr.. Gerety is
prominent in the Structural Building
Trades Alliance and is known
throughout the state in labor circles,
his connection with the local union
dating back some years.
News OF the disagreement among
the carpenters became known in
union circles only Monday, although
it had for several weeks been dis
cussed by the carpenters. That union
does not belong to the Central Labor
Union and it has little contact with
other labor organizations, although it
is affiliated with the trades alliance.
Opinion was divided among leo
ers in union circles as to which OF
the business agents will permanently
retain that office Several pointed out
that. REGARDLESS Of the position of the
headouarters at Indianapolis, ii will
be difficult for Mr.. Gerety to collect
his salary from the local organization
Some union men, however,, thought
that a strong stand by the national
officers might result in Mr. Gerety
being retained.