The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-18
FURRY IN THE FEDERATION.
OFFICERS ACCUSED OF OFFENSIVE
PARTISANsHIP.

the Charges and President Com
perS the Man He Was Cunning For.
The Latter Accused of Negotiating
with the Chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee For dhe
Delivery of the Labor Vote-The
Federation Sustains Its President.
Cincinnati, o., Dec 1.-THE American
Federation of Labor convention to-day in
dorsed a boycott on the goods of the
American Tobacco Trust.
The convention adopted a resolution pro-
vlding for an investigation of runlors and
charges that were being freely circulated
in hotel lobbies and on the streets reflect
ing on the officers of the American FEEDER
alton OF Labor.
The rumors and charges were not spec
flied and after the convention adjourned,
not a delegate could be found who would
admit that he knew anything about what
they were 1t was voted to hold the inves-
tigation in executive session. 1t is impos-
sible to get any authentic information of
the nature of the charges being investi-
gated. but it is learned from a reliable
Secretary McCraith 1t is said that for
some time he has realized
that his official position was
in danger at this convention and that con-
sequently, as sort of protection to him
self, he has been keeping close tab on the
members of the executive council and
that the charges will be to the effect that
the very men who voted to revoke william
c. Pomeroy's commission as general or
ganizer on the ground that he used his
| office for political purposes, had them
| selves done the very same thing during
the recent campaign, but in the interest
of a different party; also that while the
officers of the council were giving their
attention to partisan politics, strike mat
| ters and other affairs Of the council, which
should have been attended to, were en-
tirely neglected. It was limited by some
| that there was doodle" In large chunks
and 1t is alleged that the sensation which
will follow the investigation will be with
out precedent in the labor world. Dele
gates and officers, however, up to the time
| of closing the convention doors to the
press, generally professed entire ignorance
as to the nature of the charges to be in
| vestigated.
| After the reporters and others not dele
| gates Jdu lell the convention ndils Delt-
| gate Mahon submitted a written state
ment of the rumors to which he had called
| the attention of the convention. The i'm
| port of them was that President Com
| pers had taken action or negotiated with
| Chairman Jones and other prominent men
of the democratic party in the late cam
| paign. as president Of the American Fed
| GRAFTON of Labor. 1t was stated that Sec
! retary McCraith was aware of this cor
| respondence, and feeling that Mr.. Com
| pers had exceeded his prerogatives as
| president in the matter, the secretary had
| spoken to members of the executive coun-
| ell about It. Out Of this sprang all the
rumors alleged, but Delegate Mahon could
| give the names of but three persons whom
| he had heard mention the matter. All OF
the letters forming the correspondence OF
alleged political negotiations were read
before the secret session.
The upshot of the matter was that
| President Gompers was fully endorsed.
Secretary McCraith can never again be
prominent in the affairs of the federation.