The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-03-17

the A. F. L. chiefs, Mooney told how A. w.
Brouilet, lawyer but president of the San
Francisco Labor Council, first took place on
the Mooney defense staff before the trial. then
went over to the prosecution side and told
Prosecutor Fickert all the plans of the de-
tense, thus making it possible for Fickert to
prevent Mooney and Billings from getting evil
dence that would have impeached some of
Fickert's witnesses.
INSTALLMENT s.
DROUILLET, now the open ally OF Fickert, de-
II clared at the Convention of the California
Federation of Labor at Sacramento october 5,
1917, that "there we're delegates sitting in the
convention who knew in their own craven hearts
that the bomb defendants were guilty, guilty as
hell" The same day he moved to strike out
passages from resolutions submitted to the con-
vention declaring Mooney and Billings innocent.
James W.. Mullen, editor of the Labor Clar-
ion," official organ Of the San Francisco Labor
Council seconded Brouillets amendments which
received but one affirmative vote-Brouillets.
At the same convention he strongly defended
Fickert and urged the convention not to adopt
a resolution demanding Ffckert's recall Brouil-
let's treachery was now so apparent that the
rank and file delegates to the California State
Federation of Labor Convention repudiated him.
and communicated the condemnation voted
against him to the Shoe Clerks Union Of which
he was member. determined fight against
Broullet was now begun by rank and file mem
bers of many unions. On october 19. 1917, the
San Francisco Labor Council was confronted by
resolutions and communications from unions de-
manding the resignation of Brouillet as presi-
dent of the Council.
Such LEADERS" as John P. Mclaughlin then
State Labor Commissioner; Ben Essential. Nc
,I;,,,e ioF Date or,d
Thomas Clarity, defended the ally Of the Cham
Der of Commerce within the ranks Of labor, while
Andrew Furuseth president of the Interna-
tional Seamen's Union, led the fight on behalf
of the rank and file against Brouillet Paul
Scharrenberg, then, as now, an official OF the
Seamen's Union, found it expedent to follow
the leadership of his superior, Furuseth, and
joined the fight against Brouillet. The trial
committee selected to try the charges against
Brouillet was typically representative Of the
leadership" of the Labor Council
BROUILLET'S TRIAL COMMITTEE.
Thomas Clarity, chairman of the Union Labor
Party which nominated and supported Fickert
for office;
Thomas Reilly Chief Clerk in the Justices
Court:
william Urmy holding position in the o. S.
Department of Labor through the influence of
the P. G. 81 E. ally, p. T. Mccarthy;
George Kidwell, Business Agent, Bakery Wagon
Drivers;
Andrew Furuseth mihtantly active in the
struggle for justice.
1t was inevitable that majority of the COM
mittee Garrity Reilly Urny, should report that
there was no foundation for the charges" In
dicative Of the attitude of the rank and file in
the Labor Council it was the minority report
submitted by Furuseth and Kidwell that was ac-
cepted and on November O. 1917, Brouillet was
suspended by vote Of 95 to IS. The determined
fight made by the rank and file unions against
Brouilet finally succeeded when on March 49,
1918, the Executive Council of the A. F. of L.
ruled that the San Francisco Labor Council was
justified in removing Brouuet as President" 1t
is interesting to note that the Executive Council