| Pittsburgh, Pa. Oct 21, 1906. Friend Gompers, This afternoon there was a meeting of union men from the several towns and villages in the Dalzell district. There were about thirty present, representing Wilkinsburg, Braddock, Swissvale, McKeesport and the Pittsburg wards in the 30th Congressional district. As a result of our meeting or conference, those present promised to work as volunteers in an anti Dalzell movement. Tuesday night there will be another meeting of these men, with such of their fellow trade-unionists as will come with them, when we hope to have district committees appointed, who will work under the advice and with the assistance of the central committee. You are probably aware that Theodore Schaffer2 and Simon Burns3 have been active in directing the policy of the local trade-union party which has placed a state ticket in the field, and there may be grounds for doubting the value of these two individuals in a movement of this kind, as least there exists a belief on the part of many workers in this district, that these two and some of their friends, are not to be trusted too far. Personally, after my brief experience here I feel that the further away from our camp we can keep them, the greater the prospect of winning the support of those who may be willing to join with us. Mr. Burns and two of his friends were present today and tried to swing the meeting in favor of endorsing Dr Black,4 but this effort was shelved and if anyone hoped to have us give them a chance to go out and do a little trading as a side line, they were left at the post. President Feehan5 of the Miners who has succeeded Pat Dolan was present and pledged the support of his members, also giving me to understand that he would place active workers from the locals in this district in touch with our committee. He impresses me with his intelligence and friendliness to our movement. I have been somewhat dissapointed with some of the material which we have to use, but believe that if we can eliminate the influence of Schaffer, Burns et al, that it can be whipped into good shape. We can rely upon the hearty cooperation of the miners and carpenters, and the machinists under Bro Irelands6 direction will do good work. Before I leave I hope to see the rudiments of an organization, working on a systematic basis. I may have taken too much on my shoulders, because of my early departure from this district, but someone had to start the wheels moving. We have not selected a secretary, or chairman as yet, and owing to some of those who are acting on the trade-union ticket committee, and their influence and reputation, I desired to go slow and pick out men who are in no way involved in any unsavory transaction. I am of the opinion that when we meet Tuesday night I will endeavor to place Bro Cal. Wyatt in that position, as there are several strong reasons which would make him available. Bro Douglas,7 President of the Iron City Council, while active in the trade-union-campaign committee bears a good reputation for honesty, and if we secure him for chairman it will prevent Burns et. al. from saying that we are not in sympathy with the trade-union party, in other words, it would keep Burns quiet, for he desires to see Dr Black elected, and at the same time it would prevent Burns from using what organization we may be able to bring about to further his own political deals or ambitions. I find that Bro Stuart Reid, who is here today, will not remain in this district and this may be well as it is evident that Bros. Reid, Flynn,8 and Wyatt, cannot do effect[ive] team work, owing to tempremental differences With Bro Wyatt as secretary, keeping in close touch with the many local committees which we hope to see working by another week, and Bro Flynn giving his time to the district, some effective work may be done. There is to be found here a lack of resourcefulness and hesitation to take the initiative, and believing that an exceptionally good worker might be secured I took the liberty today of signing a joint telegram9 requesting you to appoint E. E. Greenwald10 President of the Penna. State Branch of the A.F of L. as a special assistant to the two organizers in this district, untill election day. He has been present at two open meetings I have attended and his presence and the character of his remarks made a most favorable impression. I feel that Bro's Wyatt and Flynn, are not a sufficient force to attend to the great amount of work which must be done. I know you have been wearied in reading my scrawl, but I do not care to say too much to a stenographer in a strange city11 Yours fraternally John P Frey ALS, Files of the Office of the President, General Correspondence, reel 63, frames 579-87, AFL Records. |