The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-18
labor RLEADERSAT WAR
Charges Against the American
Federation's President.
A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE PASSED.
After Discussing the Charges of Political
Activity the Convention, by Unanimous
Vote, Endorses Mr.. Gompers-secretary
MoCraith, the Aocuser, Retires,


Vote, Endorses Mr.. Gompers--secretary
MoCraith, the Aocuser, Retires,
CINCINNATI, Dec. 1S.--At yesterdays
session of the American Federation Of
Labor convention Delegate Mahon, of the
Street Railway union, created a sensation
by rising to a privileged question and
stated that very grave rumors were being
circulated against the general officers and
moving that committee of five be ap-
pointed to investigate these charges. 1t
was finally decided to consider the charges
in executive session.
1t is stated by delegates that the charges
have been made against other officers by
Secretary August McCraith, who circu-
lated them privately this week. The
charges are willful negligence in cooper
ating with the officers of different unions
during strikes and on other occasions.
The principal charge is that the officers
co-operated with certain political leaders
during the recent campaign, and that
some of those who revoked the commits
sion of w. G. PomerOy as organizer were
themselves guilty of the same offense in
using their official prestige for political
purposes
The executive session continued from
D. m. until p. IN, and resulted in the
vindication of President GomTers and the
retirement of Secretary McCraith, whose
term expires next month. While the
rumors of charges surprised President
Gompers and all others except select
few of the delegates, there seems to have
been much agitation Wednesday night
over the sensation that was to be sprung.
Ex-Secretary A G.. Wines and Secretary
August McOrnith were separated by
friends while quarreling in a room at the
Dennison House in the early morning
hours, and revolvers are said to have been
drawn.
The trouble was between President
Gompers and Secretary McCraith, and
dated back to the last campaign. In the
absence of President Gompers it Is said
that McCraith edited The Fcderationist.
McCraith is considered socialist and
was afterward o silver man, but in the
absence of President Gompers he kept out
articles on the silver question that had
been previously appearing in the organ of
the federation. At subsequent meeting
of the executive council this matter, with
other differences between the president
and secretary, were considered, and Secrc-
tary McCraith was compelled to apologize
to President Goinpers.
1t Is charged that after this action of
the executive council Secretary McCraith
conspred against President Gompers and
tried to make case against the president
on the correspondence of the latter with
certain prom inent political leaders in the
silver movement. Secretary McCraith held
that in replying to the letter of the silver
leadersPresident Gompers went beyond the
power of the president Of the federation.
While Secretary McCraith is called an an
archist by many delegates, he is recOg-
nized by all as a consistent trade union
ist, and rs being aversc even to any sort
Of aililiation with political parties 1t is
claimed that President Gompers does not
affiliate with any party but that his cor
respondence with the advocates of free
silver was in accordance with resolutions
adopted at the last three national conyen-
tions.of the federation. It was out of this
correspondence that sprang the rumors
about President Gompors being closely
associated with National Chairman Jones
and others,
The debate in executive session was tur-
buient and acrimonious. President Com
pers was finally requested to make II state
ment, but he said only few words, and
announced that all his correspondence
and his actions in the official capacity of
presidentof the federation were as open to
the delegates and the world as the corre-
spondence which Secretary McCraith had
seen fit to bring to this convention.
After considerable discussion, which re-
flected more on those who had circulated
the rumors Of serious charges on President
Gompers, Delegate Penna, of the Miners
union, offered the following:
"Having heard the charges of alleged
wrongdoing by Pre- ildent Gompers dur
ing the recent oliGica campaign, Re-
solved, That we indorse the PRESIDENT 3
position, dismiss the charges and exone-
rute lin from all blame"
There were only three dissenting voices
for the resolution, and the three voting In
| the negative announced that they did so
on account OF their opposition to free sill
yer, which they would not indorse in any
form, although they desired to indorse
President Gompers.
Another resolution, adopted without a
dissenting voice, declares in unqualified
language our confidence in President
Samuel Gompers as n man worthy of the
cause he has espoused and for which he
has sacrificed his time, health and abil-
| ity." A similar resolution Of confidence
| was unanimously adopted in indorsing
| the five members Of the executive council.
After the action of the convention IN
executive session, Secretary MoCrAith an
nounced that he would retire, and the
friends Of Delegate Morrison, of the Chi
cago Typographical union, arc now oonh-
dent OF Morrison's election without op-
position. 1t is the general opinion that
all Of the old officers will be reelected ex-
cent Seeretary McCrAith