On Saturday, May 29th, the Master Masons' association met and talked
over the situation, congratulating each other on the promised success of
their movement for freedom.
At the request of Mr. Tapper Mr. Victor Falkenau made a statement to
show the corrupt methods of the walking delegate. He said that in
October, 1886, he was erecting a building on Astor street for Mr. Post,
when Walking Delegate Healy appeared on the scene and objected to some
pressed brick being put into arches that had been cut at the
manufactory, insisting that they should be cut on the job. Healy
insisted on calling the men off the job, but in consideration of $5,
which was then paid to him, he let the work proceed. A committee from
the Bricklayers' union had called on him to ascertain what had been
done, and he had put it in possession of the facts in the case. The
money was paid to Healy Oct. 21st. In the face of this statement, which
was backed by ample proof, the walking delegate was not removed from his
high position. Other members referred to similar cases in which walking
delegates had shown themselves to be walking blackmailers.
When Delegate Healy heard of the statement of Mr. Falkenau he threatened
to bring suit against him for $10,000 damages. Mr. Falkenau remarked
that he was glad he was to be sued as a hearing of the cause in a court
would bring out the facts under oath in a manner that would satisfy
anyone as to the truth or falsity of the charge. A contractor who was
familiar with the facts in the case said the statement of Mr. Falkenau
would be supported by other testimony when the time came, but he was
satisfied there would be no libel suit. And there was none.