Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-09
FEDERATED.lLAB0R.
THE TENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION IN SESSION
AT DETROIT.
Trouble With SOcalists-Why Governor Luce
Did Not Make the Welcoming Addrsss-Ths
Socialists Object to Him-Ths Action Of
President GOmpsrs-PrOcesdings
Of the Body.


trot welcomed the representatives Of
Americas brcadwinners in Clawson'S
Hall, 90 Miami avenve, to-day. The
tenth annual convention Of the Amer
lean Federatian of Labor was called 10
order this morning by President Samuel
Gompers, OF New York.
At the sound of the gavel nearly 109
delegates, representing the various
trades OF the country, were ready for
business.
Secretary Evans and Treasurer En-
rich occupied positions on the stage
along with members of the Committee
of Arrangements, Messrs. Samuel Gald-
water, ii. \. Wade, James Murray, c.
+. Miller, Francis Fildcw and Robt. Y.
Ogg, all of Detroit.
President Gompers introduced ). A.
Greggs, President Of Common Councils
of Detroit, who delivered the address of
welcome, The address received the sin
cere approval of the convention. 1t
teemed with sage advice, and was prac-
tically an impromptu address, inasmuch
as Mr.. Greggs was only advised last
evening that it was necessary for him to
welcome the visitors.
Governor Luce. of this State, had ac-
cepted the invitation to welcome the
delegates on behalf Of the Common
wealth and the city, but the decidedly
hostile attitude OF one delegate, Rich
ard BraunSchweig, of the Furniture
Workers Union No. :, of New York,
rendered the change necessary. After
Braunschwcig arrived here the fact be-
came known to the officials OF the orga-
nization that he had been instructed to
openly protest in convention, after the
venerable governor had been introduced, g,
against the utterancc Of any words Of
welcome from any one who represents,
according to him. a capitalistic class.
This man Braunschwcig is so violent
ly Socialstic in his views that he de-
clares that Herr Most should be eXpell-
ed from the ranks of the Socialists be-
cause he is too conservative. IL was
considered best, therefore, TO request
Governor Luce to cancel his engage
ment rather than to subject himself TO
insult from such a source. This action
was taken solely in the interests of har-
The Socialistic element will have no
weight whatever in the convention.
Brannschweig. Tom Morgan, of the
Chicago Trades Assembly; Delabar, Of
the New York Bakers Assembly, and
Wiener, of the Walters Assembly Of
New York, are the entire avowed So
cialistic contingent which are known to
be able to present valid credentials.
They will, therefore, have no weight
whatever in the convention.
Lucian Saniel, member of and dele
gate from the Socialstic Labor party Of
New York, from which body the Cen
tral Labor Federation is organized, asks
to be received as a delegate on crcden-
tials from the last named organization.
This body was refused charter by
President Gompers, and Saniel appeals
to the convention. The charter was re-
fused Oh the grounds OF Socialism,
which is tabooed in the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. At the outset, there
fore, Saniel is not entitled to a seat in
the convention. The officials of the
Federation, however, for reasons char
table and otherwise, did not forbid him
the privilege Of the floor. There is no
doubt but that the convention will sus-
tain President Gompers in the matter Of
the refusal of Il charter to Saniers or
ganiZation.
There is as yet no communication from
the Farmers Alliance, and none is now
expected. If any advances are made
from this quarter they will not be
looked upon with any degree of favor,
purely for economic reasons and also
because the Federation will not affiliate
with any organization whose objects are
In the slightest tainted by any political
aims. The Federation, on the basis of
economic principles long ago outlined,
will maintain this policy.
President Gompers' reply to Mr..
Gregg's diress was eloquent.
Immediately following the reply, the
chair announced the following commit
tee on credentials: Edward Phalen,
Boot and Shoe Workers International
Union: Patrick Mcbride, United Mine
Workers; John j. Egan, Table Knife
Grinders, and j. J. Zaber, Clothing
Cutters.
On motion of James j. Daley, OF New
York. the convention adjourned until .
o'clock. At the afternoon session the
report of the Committee on Credentials
was heard and adopted, and the convcn-
tion adjourned until tomorrow.