Hebrew Trade Union Group Praised for Fight to Eject Communists

Points to United Hebrew Trades’ Eliminating Sweatshops

Matthew Woll, vice-president of the American Federation of Labor, praised the United Hebrew Trades for its fight against Communists in the labor movement, in addressing the members of the organization in Carnegie Hall, where the United Hebrew Trades celebrated its fortieth anniversary on Saturday night.

Mr. Woll said the American labor movement would never forget the successful fight waged by the United Hebrew Trades to oust the Left Wing members. “After driving sweatshop bosses and contractors out of the unions, you were in recent years confronted with a special plague which threatened to destroy the fruits of your labors for four decades, and to break down all your working standards. I refer to the Communist sect, which, at the behest and support of the Moscow oligarchy has made an attempt to capture or demolish your union. I have watched at close range your splendid fight for self-preservation against these fanatical raiders who, for a time, succeeded in dividing your ranks. American labor unions will never forget the spirit of true unionism with which the Communistic demagogues were met and routed.”

Jacob Panken, Benjamin Tigel, chairman of the United Hebrew Trades; S. Weinstein, Abraham Cahan, editor of the “Forward,” and Morris Feinstone, secretary, were also speakers.

Telegrams were received from William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, J. Ramsay Mac; Donald, former British Labor Prime Minister, J. H. Thomas, head of the British Railwaymen’s Union; Leon Jouhaux, secretary of the French General Confederation of Labor, and Peter Grassman, secretary of the German Federation of Trade Unions.