Tears, Cheers Mark Garment Union Conclave

Stirring scenes were enacted yesterday as the twenty-second annual convention of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union opened in the Medinah Club.

David Dubinsky, president and general secretary-treasurer of the union, wept with emotion as he was handed an ivory gavel by the widow of Morris Sigman, late union leader. The gavel was given Sigman many years ago by Local 35 of the Pressers’ Union.

Dubinsky briefly pledged himself to uphold the principles of the first owner of the gavel.

AUSTRIAN REFUGEE HAILED

Max Winter, refugee from Austrian Fascism and a former Socialist leader in Vienna, inspired rounds of applause in describing the fight made by workers and Socialists in the Austrian capital. He appealed for aid for the destitute Austrian children made orphans by recent Vienna warfare. His appeal ended in a high pitch of excitement as he kissed Dubinsky and brought the entire audience to its feet, singing the Internationale.

Italians sang their workers’ song and in their native language denounced Fascism.

Martin Plettl, exiled Socialist leader from Berlin, introduced Norman Thomas, traditional Socialist candidate for the presidency and principal speaker at the affair.

QUESTIONS NRA

Thomas advised the workers not to depend on the NRA. He told them they must organize to obtain benefits under their own power.

Sol A. Rosenblatt, divisional administrator of the NRA, told the audience that NRA would advance more quickly if labor was as well organized as the national manufacturers.

Dubinsky was given an oil portrait of himself by Isador Ingaler of New York, as an expression of the esteem of the workers.

Dubinsky presented the financial report, which showed that in the past two years the organization had wiped out a debt of almost $500,000 and has banked $521,000 in cash.