American Labor Party
The American Labor Party (ALP) existed in New York from 1936 to 1956. At least a couple people from Lansingburgh ran on the ALP line.
Accusations made by two people during hearings during 1953-1954 that some members of the American Labor Party were also members of the Communist Party led to some banner headlines, but seemingly no criminal convictions or consequences of any kind (other than perhaps helping to contribute to the decline of the American Labor Party in Rensselaer County).
—
Union Men Organize and Empower Executive Committee to Act; Child Labor Law Stand Cited.
A local branch of the American Labor Party was organized by fifty trade unionists and “progressives” at a meeting in the Troy Labor Temple last night. The candidacy of Philip J. Casey Democratic candidate for reelection as assemblyman from the First District of Rensselaer County, was attacked.
Opposition given to Assemblyman Casey was on the basis of the Child Labor Amendment issue. Assemblyman Casey voted against state ratification of the amendment in the last Legislature.
Arthur Huggins of Albany, a member of the executive board of the American Labor Party, was at last night’s session. Joseph Addy of College Avenue, was elected chairman and Carl Cummings served as secretary.
An executive committee was named which will meet next Wednesday at 8 p. m. in the International Garment Workers’ Union headquarters on King Street.
At this meeting the committee will decide on three questions:
1—Endorsing candidates already designated.
2—Placing complete ticket in the field for fall elections.
3—Refrain from taking active part in campaign.
Assemblyman Casey last fall was supported by the American Labor Party and spoke from the Masonic Hall platform at a rally of that party at which Sen. Hugo L. Black of Alabama, now Supreme Court justice, was the principal speaker.
A year ago Assemblyman Casey was also endorsed by the Socialist Party. This year, the county Republican ticket has been endorsed by the Socialist Party.
Times Record. September 2, 1937: 23 col 5.
Name Title of Office Residence […]
CHARLES J. RANNEY District Attorney 708 Third Avenue, Troy
Times Record. October 30, 1937: 8.
Ranney Hits Back at Critics Before South End Crowd. […]
“I was called his Democratic-Socialist opponent. To the Democrats I need not apologize because they named me. Nor do I see fit to hang my head because the Socialists named me. it is strange to hear this sort of thing from my opponent, especially in view of the fact that he strove for that same Socialist nomination in the Primaries, but I defeated him. Can it be that he resents it?
“He failed to mention the American Labor Party endorsement. I am proud of that endorsement just as I am proud of the union card my father has carried for fifty years.
“And labor also knows that Charlie Ranney never ran a picket line as did my opponent.” (Tremendous applause.)
“Ladies and gentlemen, there is a star on that [service] flag in the church over there (he pointed to St. Joseph’s Church) and there is a name on its war honor roll. That star and that name are mine.
“If my opponent had joined those colors in 1917, he too would have the honor and privilege of speaking to these men and calling them ‘comrade.'”
Times Record. October 30, 1937: 1 col 4, 6 cols 4-5.
—
Former G. O. P. Assemblyman Replaces Glens Falls Man to Run for Congressman in 29th District.
Harry M. Brooks of 875 Seventh Avenue, Lansingburgh, has been named by the American Labor Party as a candidate for Representative from the 29th Congressional District to run in opposition to Rep. E. Harold Cluett, Republican, and John Degnan, Democratic designee.
Mr. Brooks, a native of Pennsylvania, has been a resident of this city since 1886 and was the last Republican Assemblyman from the First Assembly District of Rensselaer County, a position which he lost in 1926.
Leonard Loyzelle of Glens Falls was previously slated for the candidacy but withdrew in favor of Mr. Brooks. A motion picture operator, Mr. Brooks has served as president of the Troy Local of that A. F. of L. group for 27 terms over a period of approximately 21 years. He is also secretary-treasurer and past president of the state organization of the union.
Rep. William T. Byrne, recently designated by the Albany County Democratic Committee for a second term, also received the designation of the American Labor Party yesterday.
In practically all cases, the American Labor Party either endorsed Democratic candidates or designated their own nominees in upstate congressional districts, indicating by this action a concentration of campaigns against such upstate Republican anti-New Dealers as Rep. James W. Wadsworth and Rep. Hamilton Fish.
Times Record. August 16, 1938: 11 col 5.
Name Title of Office Residence […]
HARRY M. BROOKS Representative in Congress, 29th Dist., 875 Seventh Ave., Troy
Times Record. November 4, 1938: 10.
CITY OF TROY
Name Title Of Office Residence […]
WILLIAM C. ORTIN Supervisor, Fifteenth Ward 218 Fourth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
GEORGE W. LOCKWOOD Supervisor, Sixteenth Ward 28 118th St., Troy, N. Y.
NO NOMINATION Supervisor, Seventeenth Ward […]
ROBERT H. LaFORTUNE Alderman, Fifteenth Ward 126 Second Ave., Troy, N. Y.
EDMUND R. BRADT Alderman, Sixteenth Ward 546 Ninth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
RICHARD PAGE Alderman, Seventeenth Ward 747 Second Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. October 31, 1939:16.
Candidates Nominated by the American Labor Party.
NAME TITLE OF OFFICE RESIDENCE […]
ROBERT LAFORTUNE…..State Senator….126 Second Ave., North Troy, N. Y. […]
EDWARD J. DONOHUE….Surrogate….659 Second Ave., North Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. November 1, 1940: 22.
Name Title of Office Residence […]
CITY OF TROY […]
EDWIN F. HENRY Supervisor, Fifteenth Ward 326 Sixth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
FRED A. BECK Supervisor, Sixteenth Ward 453 Eighth Ave. Troy, N. Y.
LLOYD E. BINGHAM Supervisor, Seventeenth Ward 747 Third Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. November 1, 1941: 8.
—
Leaves for Army Service Next Month; Labor Leaders Speak
I. Nathan Sidman, Troy labor leader and Rensselaer County chairman of the American Labor Party, was a guest of honor last night at a testimonial dinner at the Sunset Inn given by the American Labor Party and Troy trade unions.
Mr. Sidman, who leaves next month for Army service, received gifts of money and War Bonds. Toastmaster was Patrick J. M. Clifford, chairman of the A. L. P. executive committee.
One hundred persons were present, representing a large number of union organizations in Troy and vicinity.
Among the speakers, and the unions they represent, were: William P. Vlachos, Restaurant Workers; Freida Schwenkmeyer, Amalgamated Clothing Workers; John VanDerwereken, International Ladies’ Garment Workers; John P. Walsh, Textile Workers of America; Francis Murphy, Auto Workers; Joseph J. Buffalino, Railroad Brotherhood; Joseph F. McLoughlin, American Labor Party; Patrick Riggione, Clothing Workers, and Genevieve Bennett, American Labor Party.
Times Record. February 22, 1944: 9 col 8.
NAME TITLE OF OFFICE RESIDENCE […]
CITY OF TROY […]
SUPERVISORS […]
ROBERT LA FORTUNE Fifteenth Ward 126 Second Ave., Troy, N. Y.
AUGUSTUS FLOROS Sixteenth Ward 527 Fifth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
HAROLD F. TUTHILL Seventeenth Ward 663 Fourth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. November 2, 1945: 12.
—
Annual Meeting Conducted Last Night At 38 King Street
J. Eugene Zimmer, Navy veteran and former assemblyman, was re-elected Rensselaer County Chairman of the American Labor Party at a meeting at 38 King Street last night.
Also reelected were I. Nathan Sidman, vice chairman; James F. Bell, secretary, and Genevieve Bennett, treasurer.
An all-trade union executive committee was also chosen at the session. The committee includes Roy Gregware, Catharine Walters, J. Charles Hilton, and Frieda Schwenkmeyer, all of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers, C. I. O.; Nick Campas, Restaurant Workers, A. F. L.; Charles McCarthy, Motion Picture Operators, A. F. L. and Henry Bell, United Automotive Workers, C. I. .
Party leaders said last night that selections of executive committee members was made with a view to the coming campaign when the American Labor Party will conduct its campaign on three major issues: the Taft-Hartly Act, the 15 per cent rent increase and the continued rise in the cost of living.
Mr. McCarthy, A. L. P. candidate for mayor, told the meeting that, “The working people of this city are beginning to realize that the two old line parties are failing in their obligations to legislate in behalf of all the people. When they see that a majority of Democrats and a vast majority of Republicans vote in favor of higher prices, vote to cripple the Trade Unions, and vote to allow a 15 per cent increase in rents, it becomes clear that only a third party, the American Labor Party, supported by working people, can protect them. In the last year the Republicans and Democrats have given a great example of tweedle dum and tweedle dee as far as the people are concerned. The people are getting tired of being tweedled however, and this year will see a tremendous increase in the vote of the American Labor Party.”
Mr. Bell, candidate for president of the common council; Mr. Campas, candidate for city treasurer; and Miss Gladys DuBois, candidate for comptroller, were also present at the meeting.
Times Record. August 12, 1947: 12 col 2.
Times Record. October 29, 1947: 2 cols 1-3.
NAME TITLE OF OFFICE RESIDENCE […]
HENRY G. BELL County Treasurer 912 Third Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. October 29, 1948: 21.
NAME TITLE OF OFFICE RESIDENCE […]
CITY OF TROY […]
ROBERT LaFORTUNE Supervisor, Fifteenth Ward 126 Second Ave., Troy, N. Y.
ALFONSO MIKEMAS Supervisor, Sixteenth Ward 469 Third Ave., Troy, N. Y.
HARRY FERNET Supervisor, Seventeenth Ward 742 Fifth Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. November 4, 1949: 4.
NAME TITLE OF OFFICE RESIDENCE […]
CITY OF TROY […]
ROBERT LaFORTUNE President Common Council 126 Second Ave., Troy, N. Y.
Times Record. November 2, 1951: 21.
[1952: no candidates in Troy]
“Campas Names Sidman As Communist.” Times Record. July 14, 1953: 1. [Banner headline]
[1954: no candidates in Troy]