The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-04
ARTICLE II.


Farringtons next move in selling
the miners vote for cash was made
in the year 1916, when he backed Col.
Frank l.. Smith, republican banker
against Frank L. Lowden, in the re-
publican state primaries for the CUB
ernatorial nomination. Lowden won
but Harrington was not out any, ad-
hitting before trial committee of
the miners union that he received
$1,000 in cash for endorsing the Col
onel. The endorsement was made in
the form of circular which praised
Smith for acquiring wealth, and also
denounced his opponents, chief among
them being the Thompson-Lundin-De-
neen-West crowd that Harrington and
his political pal, John H. Walker, were
lined up with in that election.
Having violated the laws of the un-
ion In endorsing Col. Smith, repub-
lican politician, Harrington was placed
on trial at special district conven-
ton called for that purpose. At the
trial the circular letter endorsing
Smith was made part of the record
and also the following telegram which
compelled Harrington to confess that
he got the money:
July 10, 1916"
Colonel Frank l.. Smith,
'LaSalle Hotel, Chicago, Ill
"Ames has not yet returned report
- IND 81
Need it for letter l am writing you.
Nor have you fulfilled your promise
made me while in Chicago week be-
fore last. 1t is necessary that l have
remainder OF amount agreed to at once
so that l may go on with the work of
organization.
Frank harrington"
Under pressure, Harrington admit
ted having received the money but
with the aid of John H. Walker who
then enjoyed the confidence of the
miners of Illinois, and thru the secret
manipulation of the coal operators
who spent money to see that Earring
ton was acquitted, the master faker
got away with his graft.
Proof that money was used to Sc
cure the exoneration of harrington
at the special convention, is in the
testimony of one Peter Smith of Pan
anna. The following is part of that
testimony:
''They told me that Farrington's
honestly had been questioned and that
Harrington was to be tried in a spe-
cial convention. They told me that
there was money to be distributed
to clear Harrington. They asked me
If / was willing to make friends with
Harrington. said If a man wanted
to shake hands with me was willing
to meet him half way. Then they pre-
scented ten dollar bill to me and
told me that was Farrington's money.
told them l didn't want to accept
no such stuff as that but they said
unless would take it that could
not prove where I would be friend
of harrington.
THE conversation had dropped for
half an hour or more. Then they
said that If did not take the money
would certainly have to fight both
Of them and the officers of the organ
ization, so accepted the ten dollars.
have the bill printed and in my rec
ord book, the number of the bill and
just what the bill looked like.
%. 1t was ten dollar bill and not
a check?
"A. 1t was BILL"
During the trial the information
was brought out that Harrington own
ed much property in Alabama The
land was suitable for the growing of
pecans and oranges and was located
in Mobile, county. 1t was contracted
for in 1915 but the deed was not re.
corded until 1916. The purchase price
of the land was $4,000, but the presi-
dent of District IL, U. M. w. of A.
spent $1,000 more on 1t during the
years 1916-17.1S. Where did he get
all the money! The miners could not
understand how he could spend so
much out OF his salary on orange
groves, besides his other expenses for
automobiles and his handsome home
In Springfield.
Among those who purchased orange