The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-18
Attacks riade Upon Him Fail of
Their Object.
WERE MANY WILD RUMORS
SECRETARY M'CRAITH PROB
ABLY PUT HIS FOOT IN IT.
Position of the President During the
Recent Election Endorsed, and
Resolution Passed Expressing
Full Confidence in Him AS a Man
Worthy of the Cause He Has Es-
poused.


Cincinnati, o., Dec. 17.-At the morn
ing's session of the American Fedora
ton of Labor convention a resolution
TO have the Federation organizers give
special attention to organizing station
airy engineers in all cities and towns
and hamlets, and wherever expedient
to form a national union, to be affili-
ated with the American Federation of
Labor, was passed by large majority.
Several resolutions to furnish assist
ance in organizing different crafts were
concurred in, or referred to the exec
utive council.
A request for the organization of the
woodworkers of the middle west was
referred to a special committee.
A resolution regarding the boycott
against the Armour Packing company
was referred to the special committee
Woodward offered a resolution for
the organization to adopt monogram
label for all branches under the ma
tional body, which, after much discus
sion, was acquieSced in.
A resolution endorsing the boycott on
the goods of the American Tobacco
company was passed.
The amalgamated association secured
the floor and asked to have a commit
tee of three appointed to investigate
the rumors and charges being freely
circulated in the hotel Hobbies and
streets, rejecting on officers OF the
American Federation of Labor.
Delegate Warner, of the machinists
International association, moved that
Mahon be ordered to be present at the
afternoon session and present the ru-
mors and charges alleged against the
officers, in writing.
Carried, and the convention ad-
journed until afternoon.
TO CHANGE LAWS.
On the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion, the committee on resolutions pre-
scented a set from ]. p. Mcclure, rec
ommending that local unions affiliated
with the American Federation of La
Dor so change their laws that dues of
members shall not be less than so cents
month, preferably % cents a week;
that on failure to comply with this
request, within six months, the char
terS of the unions SO failing shall be
revoked, and that no charters be here
after granted to organizations unless
their bylaws provide for monthly dues
of at least so cents. The committee
recommended their adoption. A lively
discussion followed, lasting for more
than two hours. Several amendments
were submitted and lost.
The original resolutions were adopted
by a decided majority.
Delegate O'Sullivon, of the Massachu
sets state federation moved that the
convention go into executive session
for the consideration of the charges
against officers which W. D. Mahon
had been ordered at the morning ses-
sion by resolution to report in writing
to the afternoon session for investiga
ton in open meeting.
Delegates Ashe and Warner of the
Machinists' International association;
Tomson, Engineers; Kreyling, st. Louis
Trades and Labor council; Sermon,
Journeymen Tailor's union; Luce, Car
riage Workers; Yarnell, Carpenters and
Joiners, and number of others in elo-
quent addresses urged the convention
not to commit this great blunder. They
argued that the matter had been first
preached in open meeting, that the
had, by resolution, ordered
the investigation to be made in open
session, and to go behind closed doors
with it now could not fail to cause
suspicion of whitewashing and COM
ment that would be an injury to the
which it would be ex-
tremely difficult to rectify, if, indeed,
such a result could ever be accom-
plished.
WASHING LINEN
Delegates Thomas 1. Kidd. Wood
International union; p. H.
Penna of the United Mine workers of
America, and one or two others spoke
in favor of the secret session, holding
that the matter was one which con-
cerned only the organization, and that
Il there was any dirty linen TO be
washed, it should be done in the back
kitchen, with all the doors locked.
The original motion was put to a
vote and carried, about two-thirds of
the delegates voting for it.
On motion, it was decided to remain
IN session to carry on the investigation
without adjourning at the regular time
FOR supper.
After the reporters and others not
delegates had left the convention hall,
Delegate Mahon submitted a written
statement of the rumors which he had
,alled the attention of the convention
10. The import of them was that Prasi-
lent Gompers had taken action or ne
5otiated with Chairman Jones and
1ther prominent men of the Democratic
party in the late campaign. as presi-
lent of the American Federation of
Labor. 1t was stated that Secretary
McCraith was aware of this correspon-
ience. and feeling that Mr.. Gompers
had exceeded his prerogatives as presi-
lent in the matter. the secretary had
spoken TO members of the executive
council about it. Out of this sprang all
he rumors alleged, but Delegate
Mahon could give the names of but
hree persons who he had heard mem
ion the matter. All of the letters form
ng the correspondence of alleged politi-
al negotiations were read before the
secret session. Some of them referred
o the free coinage of silver at 16 to 1.
which the federation had endorsed at
ach Of it's last three conventions. and
me requested President GomDers to
meet Chairman Jones and other Demo-
ratio leaders and talk the matter over
dr. Gompers reply to this was that he
vas too busy to call upon the gentle
nan. but if they would meet him at
he would gladly grant
n interview on the subject, and ii is
tated that one man did meet Gompers
t Indianapolis. None of the letters
lad been treated as private by the
resident, but all had been marked