The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-13
GUNMEN ASSIST
FITZPATRICK TO
SPLIT FURRIERS
Federation Head Runs
Local Union Meeting

]
CHICAGO, May 12.-Aided by the
police, scores of gunner and gang
sters and under the Craftsmanship Of
John Fitzpatrick, President of the
Chicago Federation of Labor, the
right wing of Local As of the Fur
riers' union captured themselves
(minus the membership and pro-
ceeded to expel the leaders of the
progressive forces without trial
throwing aside all pretence of even
constitutional forms.
The last meeting Of the local, which
was held Friday night, at the Musi-
clans hall was opened by Ida Vein
stein, vice president of the Inter-
national by the grace of the old COR
rupt Kaufman machine. She immedi-
ately informed the membership pres
ent that Fitzpatrick was going to act
as chairman of the meeting. Appeals
made by the members against this un-
heard union procedure were ruled out
of order and Fitzpatrick proceeded to
read a telegram from Shachtman, in
ternational president, authorizing him
/ to take over the Craftsmanship of
the local. Fitzpatrick further stat
ing that he had an order from VIM.
Green, president of the A. F. of L.,
to take the Chicago Furriers' situa-
ton in hand.
Nichols on Fair Play
After giving the floor to Ed. Mich
OILS, Secretary of the Federation who
ranted on the floor for several min-
utes on 'fair play" etc, Green of the
painters union, notorious gunman,
representing the United 90 Hebrew
Trades was given the floor and in
dulged in the regular red batting
speeches concluding by making the
statement, "dat dis meeting his called
to say vich is de strongest de COM
oonists who ar breaking up the unions
of de Hamerican trade unionists."
Mr.. Hammock, secretary of the
Hebrew trades (Forward agency
was given the floor to defend the
"gangsters." He was very angry be-
cause the Communist Daily Freiheit
had put these Socialists" in their
right place.
Fitzpatrick next ordered the min
utes Of the executive board read,
which stated that Goldberg, president
of the board, Finkelstein, president
of the local, Brothers Shenberg,
Greenberg, and Goldstein, were sus-
pended for one year under the charge
Of being Communists, unable to run
a union, using SANDER, etc.
IsraelsOn Betrays
Motion was Immediately made to
adopt the minutes, and Israelson who
was elected as business agent by the
aid of the progressives as against
the reactionary Milstein, made a vici-
Gus attack against the New York joint
board, repeating the already blown up
charges Of .'police graft" and accus-
ing the progressives of wanting to
break up the union, this notwith-
standing the fact that it was exactly
the same Israelson who was forced to
expose the Milstein gangs shortage
of funds year ago in the statement
later published by the progressive
group.
The only explanation is that he has
proven that he was too much of a
yellow coward to fight when pressure
was brought from the Federation. The
only progressive recognized was
Brother Sunninshein who protested
against the violation Of the constitu-
ton and pointing out that no trial
had been held and also called the at
tention of all to the interference Of
the United Hebrew Trades with the
internal affairs of the union.
Gangseers Watch Vote
Goldstein, one of the suspended
members, demanded a secret ballot
according to the constitution but Fitz
stated in true Skinny madden style,
"That we are going to have a Billy
Goat vote, and that if you want I
appeal to the International you can
do So"
In an "Aye and No" vote with
sluggers and United Hebrew trades
gangsters, painters and butchers, etc.
even then the "Noes" were in maj
GRITTY, but Fitz declared the vote car
ried in spite of an appeal and de-
mand for division, and after this ex-
hibition in democratic CONTROL" he
adjourned the meeting.
One of the progressive members Of
the local was badly slashed on the
forehead by gangsters led by Morris
Lieberman, who is now boss and
for that reason has been taken off the 4
executive board.
lie was taken to the emergency
hospital where he was treated; sew
eral stitches taken after which he
was taken to his home.
Fitzpatrick Splits Unios
Fitzpatrick thus has carried out
the wishes of the Fur bosses in the
city of Chicago to split the union, and
in thp methods of procedure made