The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-16
Cannot Attend the Session
Of the Federation of
Labor.
Owes the Illinois Branch and
Issued a Circular on
Politics.
Two Open Violations OF the Orders
Constitution That the Leaders
Otj ct To.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, Dec 15.-The Sec
ond days session of the American Fedora
ton of Labor was called to order this
morning by President Gompers. who
yielded the chair to Vice President Nc
CURE OF Philadelphia. The auditing COM
mittee reported they had examined the
accounts of officers and found them cor
rect. This case of Delegate Ryan of the
Tin-cornice Workers was taken from the
committee on credentials and referred to
the committee on grievances.
At the afternoon session the case of
William c. Pomeroy was taken up. Pom
eroy's seat is contested by E. o. Wood
bury of Chicago, on the ground that
Pomeroy owes 1888 to the Illinois State
Federation of Labor. He is also charged
with violating the constitution of the
Federation of Labor by issuing circular
in the interest of political party. bearing
his signature as general organizer of the
Federation OF Labor, and this seemed to
be the real nut which the convention had
to crack.
Pomeroy's defense on the first charge is
that the money to pay the claim is on de-
post, but payment has been delayed by
attachment, and that the amount will be
turned over as soon as pending litigation
is concluded. On the second charge he
sets up as defense that the circular was
issued in consequence of and to offset the
effect of a circular previously issued in the
interest of another political party and
signed by John Mcbride as ex- president of
the American Federation Of Labor. Owing
to IAN accident by which he badly wrenched
his ankle Pomeroy was unable to be in at
tendance at the convention while his case
was being acted on.
A motion was made that the cred tlals
of Mr.. Pomeroy be rejected. On motion
the charges preferred by the Illinois State
Federation were ordered read before the
convention.
Delegates Ed O'Donnen of Centre Labor
Union, Boston; John B. Lennon of Jour-
neymen Tailors' Union of America, and
Vice-President O'Connell made speeches
against the admission of William G. Pom
eroy as a delegate, combining their re-
marks to the political aspect of the case
and condemning in unmeasured terms his
action in issuing political partisan clrcu-
lar, which he signed as organizer of the
American Federation of Labor.
Speeches along the same general line
were made by E. o. Woodbury. of the Illi-
nois State Federation, Thomas l. Kidd of
the Illinois State Fede Grafton and David
Kregling of the st. Louis Trades and
Labor Council. The three latter also re-
ferred TO the charges from the Illinois
branch and stigmatlZed Pomeroy as de-
fauter and his defense that payment of
the claim against him was prevented by
litigation as false and unfounded. They
held that the withholding of the money
was only one violation of the constitu-
ton, and that there were others; that in
fact Pomeroy had acted in bad faith with
the Illinois branch throughout his deal
ings with it.
James Duncan of the Granite-cutters'
National Union, after a speech in which
he called attention TO the fact that the OBJ
lection was against the man and not
against the organization issuing his
creden tials, moved that the credentials be
approved, the delegates seated and the
matter referred to the Chicago Hotel and
Restaurant Alliance for action.
The debate, which had taken on a some
what exciting aspect, was cut short by
motion for the previous question, which
had many prompt seconds.
The amendment was voted down by an
overwhelming majority and the previous
question was then called for. 1t was that
the credentials be elected and William G.
Pomeroy refused seat in the convention.
The roll was called and resulted in a vote
of 1876 ayes aud 1856 noes.
The convention then adjourned until 8
A. NJ. tomorrow.