Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-12
Union PayoH
ToEx-Mayor
Unique Favor
Boosts CurIey Of Boston
for Congress
By WESTBROOK PEGLER

Union nelO mass meeting ana,
in a great outburst of devotion.
decided to support James M.
Curley, ex-governor Of the state
and ex-mayor of the city. for
election TO Congress from the
Eleventh District. as loyal, not
to say typical, New Dealer. and
to pay off all his debts. includ-
ing judgment of $4,000 held
by the City of Boston.
John M. Sullivan. president
and business agent of the local,
issued a statement in which he
said that Mr. Curley was speech
less from emotion and therefore
was unable TO thank the team
sters.
lust why an organization pur-
- porting to be a labor union
of teamsters should feel called
on TO pay the personal obliga-
tions of a man who for many
years has enjoyed high stand
ard of living on public salaries,
Mr.. Sullivan did not say.
He did say that labor always
pays its debts and we all know
that labor owes debt to this
man." but that figure has always
hitherto been understood TO
mean moral and political obliga-
tons.
This is the first time in my
extensive acquaintance with the
ways OF the unioneer that have
heard Of any union boss promot-
ing. or any politician accepting,
any such favor from the rank
and file of any trade.
THE INCIDENT is consistent,
L however, with the blunt an
nouncement of the executive
board OF the international union,
the parent body of Local 25.
some months ago. that it would
spend as much money as might
be necessary to achieve the cleo
ton Of its candidates for Con-
gress this fall.
The International has lover
one and a half million dollars in
cash. lying idle in the banks"
according 10 the current issue Of
its official publication. 1t is not
intended TO tap the union treas
ury for Mr.. Curley's indebted
ness.
Instead, Brother Sullivan will
conduct athletic carnivals and
similar benefit performances. as
one means Of raising money, and
invite all members of organized
labor to send in contributions"
THIS IS a traditional method
Il of raising money for boss
unioneers, but / have never be-
fore heard Of its use TO pay the
old debts of candidate for
job paying $4,000 a year, plus
$1,000 in gravy, in the United
States Congress.
The usual practice Is TO give
the rank and file 10 understand
that they will buy a certain
number of tickets-or else.
But the usual purpose is 10
buy some suitable token OF devo-
ton for the boss unioneer whose
colleagues have decided that il
is his turn TO get testimonial.
PRO. JOE MORESCHI, the
~ boss OF the Common Labor
ers' Union, received "a substan-
tial check" some years ago on
his departure for England as
fraternal delegate for the AFL
to the British Union Congress.
Bro. Tommy Maloy. the pre-
decessor of Bros. George Browne
and Willie Bioff in the Stage
hands and Movie Employees
Union, received one even more
substantial when he. like
Brother Moreschi before him,
set sail on a similar mission ac-
companied by his eight male
secretaries.
IT is considered bad taste and
unhygienic conduct in any ordi-
nary working stiff TO decline to
buy tickets to athletic carnivals
and similar benefit perform
ances" held TO raise money for
all such tokens, including subs
tantial checks"
And, considering how much
money il will be necessary 10
raise TO get M. Curiey out OF
hook. the rank and file toilers
not only Of the Transfers local
but in other trades doubtless will
feel strong moral obligation
breathing down their necks as
Brother Sullivan's benefit" pro-
meters present the opportunity
TO cancel their debt TO the noted
statesman.
QROTHER S ULLIVAN
~ statement added that not
only the union rank and file but
all friends of the former gov
ernor" would be invited" TO
contribute. and i'm this connec-
ton it may be noted that bust
nessmen who dread interference
with deliveries of merchandise
naturally will weigh the situa-
ton carefully and may buy
tickets anyway.
Now. Local 25 is promoting a
Testimonial dinner" for Mr..
Curley on October 81, and ex-
pectations are that more than
1000 will attend. including Bros.
Will Green. president of the
AFT and Dan TOhin procidapt