The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-18
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR
Charges Preferred Against the Priu-
cipaI Officers.
POLITICS BASIS OF THE TROUBLE.
ton vf President Gompcrs-Ncw
Secretary May he Elected.

ton OF Labor TO order TO Its fourth days
session the roll call showed full attend
ance. There was considerable canvaasins
today for the election OF officers. which
will take place tomorrow afternoon II is
the general opinion that all OF the general
officers will be reelected except Secretary
McGrath who is opposed by Frank Morri-
son of Chicago. the representative OF the
International Typographical union.
On the call OF the committees the conf
mittee on organization reported the condi-
t!on of the trades unions most of witch
needed and asked for help .iom the fedcr-
alton. Most Of these applications for as
sistance were referred TO the incoming eA-
eoutive council, but the federation organ
iztrs were directed to give Immediate as
sistance TO the Engineers Progressive AS
sociation. the iioIseshoers union and TO
various state and local organizations. The
committee ndorsed the recommended ton OF
President Gompors FOR the federation to
employ organizers and lecturers to assist
the trades unions needing assistance. The
special committee on the Armour boycott
at Kansas City reported Tor more vigorously
pushing the fight.
Delegate Malone Of the Street Railway
union created a sensation at noon by RISING
TO a privileged question and stated that
very damaging rumors were being cirUu-
lated against the general officers and
moved that a committee of five be APP
pointed to investigate these charges AIR.
Malone would not state the charges. and
none would mention them. but the runners
were generally conceded TO be In connec-
tion with the agitation for the general cleo
ton tomorrow afternoon Many delegates
insisted on specifying the charges or put
ha,, ,.srtt hut ,>l,t tt.,px
did not prevail.
President Gompers called Delegate Phil
lips to the chair and all tho officers d.
clined to participate In the proceedings on
this question. All the officers denied any
knowledge Of the rumors
a motion to table Mir Mahone's motion
WAS lost-yeas H. nays 10.
Other motions were made md voted
down. MIR. Malone refused to mention the
charges unless the convention went into
executive session, Delegate Warner moved
that Delegate Malone be required to pre-
sent his charges in writing at the afternoon
session. Many bitter speeches followed,
mostly directed against Mahone's resolu-
tion II was he that II random rumora
are to be investigated all members of the
convention could he arraigned. 1t was said
that Delegate Malone made his suggestion
in open session for investigation and should
specify his charges in open session.
Recess was then taken until 2:4o for
reception at the chamber Of commerce.
On roassembling in the afternoon there
were many visitors present TO boar the
charge OF Delegate Malone against 'hc ON
GERS.
resolution for increasing the dues was
adopted by an almost unanimous vote.
Tho Asho resolution on the jurisdiction OF
the Federal courts was the special order
for D. M. but was postponed to hear the
nntn In
against the officers. long debate follow
ed on n motion to 90 into executive scs-
sion.
The discussion on the motion 20 70 into
executive session was STONED by the pre-
vious question being sustained. The mo-
ton tn go into executive session carried
Then the rules we're amended 40 as not to
adjourn nj $50 but to remain continuously
in executive session Cor the consideration
of tho charges against the officers.
Tho executive session continued from
n m until s u IN. and resulted in the
vindlcatlou Of President Gompeis and me
retirement of Secretary Mccraith, whose
term expires next month. Whiie the ruihofs
of charges surprised President Gompor aud
al, others except n select few OF the dele
gates. there seems 10 have boon much agi'
totion during last night in the consultation
rooms over the sensation that was to be
sprung today. EXSecretary A. q. vines
and Secretary August McCratth were sep
aratod by friends while quarrolins In
room at the Dennison house Mt the carry
morning hours and reviewers are said 10
have been drawn. The trouble was between
President Gompers and Secretary McCraith
and dated back to the last campaign. IN
the absence Of President Gnmpers 1t is saii
that Secretary McCraith edited the Fedora
ZIONIST McCraith Is considered a SOCIALIST
and was arterward a silver man. but In
mi
out articles on the silver question that had
nreyiously appeared In the organ OF me
foderation At subsequent meeting OF the
executive council this matter with othei
difficulties between the secretary ana
president were considered and secretary
McCraith was compelled TO apologize TO
President Gompcrs. It Ia charged that af-
Ter this action of the executive council See
retary McCraith conspired against Presi-
dent Gompers and tried to make ease
against the president on the correspondence
of the latter with certain prominent po-
ltical leaders in the silver movement.
Secretary McCraith held that in replying
Ia The letters OF silver leaders that Presi-
dent Gompers went beyond the purpose OF
the president of the federation. While Sec
rotary McCraith is called m anarchist by
many delegates. he is recognized as con"
sistent trade unlOnist and AZ being ayerde
10 any sort OF alliliation with political par
ties II Is claimed that President Gomrr's
does not affiliate with any party. but that
his correspondence with the advocates ot
free silver was In accordance with resolr
tons adopted at the last three National
conferences OF the federation. II was part
of this conference that sprang the rumors
about President Gompers being closely as
Bociated with National Chairman Jones
and others.
In the executive session Delegate Malone
who sprang the question OF rumors Of
charges early today read paper setting
forth the rumors that President Gompers
had acted and negotiated with politicians
during the recent campaign
Mr. Malone said he would not present
ii as q charge and there was a rlIInor Of
only one offense and that was that Presi-
dent Gompers had participated In political
events.
Secretary Mccraith who originated the
rumors on which the charge vas based,
then made statement about keeping ro-
tiles out Of tho Federation and cad nh the
letters that President Compcis had written
and received from political leaders during
the recent cainnaign. These parties wanted