Labor News.

May 20, 1911, Albany Evening Journal, Page 10, Column 2, In Labor Circles,

Wednesday night's meeting of the Central Federation of Labor was one of the most exciting sessions ever held by that body. It was also of gravest import to organized labor of this city, as it may result in the formation of a second central body in Albany. The trouble has been brewing for the past two or three years, but the situation became active a few weeks ago when electrical workers came to Albany from New York and displaced the Albany electrical workers who were employed at the capitol after the fire. The claim is made by the Albany men that these outsiders were not union men. If they were, the Albanians ask, why was it necessary for them to organize a union in this city before they could obtain recognition from organized labor? War was immediately declared against the two Albany Unions of electrical workers, and the climax was reached when Organizer Pierce of the American Federation of Labor at Wednesday night's meeting of the General Federation notified that body that its charter was revoked. The central body lost its charter because it deliberately refused to unseat the two Albany locals, and seat delegates from the new local. The matter was threshed out by the delegates. Organizer Pierce for the A. F. of L. and Vice President Myers for the Albany unions.
Secretary Dillon reported concerning the Danahy memorial fund. Over 3,000 circulars and letters have been sent to the unions of New York state. Responses are coming in every day, and the amount received to Wednesday was about $230. The boilermakers reported progress in their strike.

September 13, 1911, Albany Evening Journal, Page 1. WHALEN MAN KEEPS JOB ON CAPITOL WORK. Contractors Reinstate Edward Donnelly, Who Lost His Place Because He Was Against McCabe.

Callanan & Prescott, the firm which has a contract to reconstruct the state capitol, reinstated a man today who trains with the Whalen faction of the Democratic party. Edward Donnely is the employe. He was discharged a few days ago by the superintendent. This action followed a threat which it was declared had been made by Max Kurth, McCabe leader in the fourteenth ward, to the effect that unless he worked for the McCabe interests in the primaries Donnelly would lose his place.
When this report reached James J. Nolan, of the state excise department, the Whalen leader of the fourteenth, a protest was made to Callahan & Prescott. The firm granted a hearing to-day and Messrs. Kurth and Nolan were present. On the presentation of the case by Mr. Nolan the firm ordered Donnelly reinstated and he reported for duty again this afternoon. The contractors took the position that the work under their direction should not be made a matter of politics.

October 26, 1911, Albany NY Evening Journal, Page 13, Column 1, WILL GO TO LAW FOR FRED LUBY, United Spanish War Veterans Are Indignant at His "Suspension" at the Capitol.

NO COMPLAINT HAD BEEN PREFERRED AGAINST HIM
Committee Called on Superintendent Bowe and Read the Law to Him---Legal Steps Taken and Department Headquarters Notified.
Capt. Frank R. Palmer camp No. 28, United Spanish War Veterans, held a special meeting this week at which the case of Fred Luby, a veteran of the Spanish War, who had been "suspended" from his position as elevator man in the state capitol without any charges being preferred or without a hearing was taken up. Mr Luby has been operating an elevator in the east end of the building for about nine years, and two or three days before his dismissal was removed to an elevator in the west end of the building, which was to be abandoned on account of the repairs being made in the burned portion.

Parapraph 22, section 1, chapter 264, laws of 1910, states that "no person holding a position by appointment or employment in the state of New York having served in the army of the United States during the late war with Spain shall be removed from such position except for incompetency or misconduct shown after a hearing upon due notice upon stated charges, and with the right to such employe or appointee to a review by a writ of certiorari. If the position so held shall become unnecessary or be abolished for reasons of economy or otherwise, the said employe holding the same shall not be discharged from the public service, but shall be transferred to any branch of the said service for duty in such position as he may be fitted to fill, receiving the same compensation therefor, and it is hereby made the duty of all persons clothed with power of appointment to make such transfer effective."

A committee was appointed to call on John Bowe, superintendent of public buildings, to see what could be done. The committee called on Mr. Bowe Tuesday morning, and asked him to reinstate Mr. Luby. He stated that he could not do this. The committee asked Mr. Bowe if there were any charges preferred against Mr. Luby, or if any complaint had been made against him, and he stated there had not. The committee then read to Mr. Bowe the law as quoted above and asked him if he would grant to Mr. Luby the rights to which he is entitled under the law, and he absolutely refused to do so. Legal steps have already been taken in the matter, and department headquarters of the United Spanish War Veterans notified.

The Spanish War Veterans will fight to a finish against such ruthless trampling of the rights which the law accords them. They understand that this suspension is really a discharge. Four other men also were laid off. All are Republicans.