The New York herald., 1922-07-11
RED STENOGRAPHERS
NFEST PINK union;
CHARTER SUSPENDED
Locals Executive Council
in Uproar at Action of
Gompers.
FRAYNE BRINGS ORDER
State Leaders, Announce
ment Met by Attacks on
Federation Head.
WOMEN CONnEMN MOVT
WOMEN CONDEMN MOVE
Charter Will Be Restored
When Communist Propagan-
dists Are Eliminated.

Hugh Frayne, State leader of the
American Federation of Labor, walked
unannounced last night into meeting
of the executive council Of the Book
keepers, Stenographers and Account
ants Union, No. 1856. and suspended
its charter because of suspicion that
it's membership includes many pale
pinks and quite a number of vivid
Reds who are busily spreading Com
munist propaganda.
The suspension was directed by
Samuel Gompers. president of the
federation. 1t was announced the
union will be reorganized and several
of the present members will be dropped
from the rolls before the new charter
Is granted.
The local has about 500 members, of
whom half are women. Several women
were at the council meeting last night
and they were the fiercest in their de-
nunciation of Mr.. Frayne and his mis-
sion. The applauded vigorously when
male members of the union got up to
protest. and one in particular bitterly
demurred at the action of Mr.. Com
pers, declaring the local had always
upheld the laws of the American Fed
Grafton in every respect
The suspension was a complete sur
prise to the locals executive council,
and the appearance Of Mr. Frayne
stirred up such controversy and 80
much excitement that Leonard Bright,
president OF the local had dificuity
keeping order. Mr.. Frayne named Mr..
Bright as temporary custodian of the
seal. The reorganization will begin to
day and will last until every member of
the local has been checked and found
eligible under the rules and determine :
tions of the national organization.
During the row that developed as
soon as Mr.. Frayne had stated his mis-
sion one member leaped to his feet and
questioned the authority of Mr.. Frayne
to take away the charter. To this man
was shown the letter from Mr.. Gompers.
Cant we take this case to the courts
and decide whether or not Brother Com
pers can do such a thing?" asked a
member.
II would not 70 into a capitalist
court to fight any such matterv' shoute
another. and was applauded by two
young women who sat around the coun-
ell table. Another member. who had
been almost shouting TO make himself
heard over the din, finally proposed the
local refuse to obey President Gompers
and keep its charter. seal and funds.
Mr.. Frayne quietly reminded the excited
member that inasmuch as he had al
ready taken UP the cnarter no motion
or business that they might transact
would count. This made some me u1bers
even more indignant.
The question at issue rs the eligibility
OF a certain group of members. For
some months the national body has
been aware that persons Of ultra radi-
cal tendencies have been easing their
way into the local, and have used the
forum OF the local to spread commu-
nistic propaganda. While the national
body Is not concerned with the political
beliefs OF the members, President
Gompers Is not eager or willing that
any local. large or small. shall be used
for dissemination of any propaganda.
1t is understood. though not officially
stated. that the purpose of the action
last night Is to eliminate those trouble
makers WHO nave Detn OIISettlnk tne
good work done by the locals president
Mr.. Bright. a peculiar phase OF this
matter is that, although Mr.. Bright Is
a Socialist in his political beliefs. he
has been charged with being too much
OF conservative to suit some OF the
faction which the national body intends
TO remove.
In the meeting last night one member
assailed Mr., Bright who had coun-
seled caution and orderly procedure In
dealing with the national body.
The reorganization" OF the local
union. It Is understood. will consist
mainly In the national boards taking
the membership list Of the local as II
stands to-day and "censoring' and
cutting therefrom the names OF the dis
turbers.
Mr.. Frayne bid the committee a very
good night. and left. uncscorted and un-
accompanied by a single member of the
executive board. which split up into
two groups and went separate ways
from the meeting place.