Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-09-06
GOMPERS DENOUNCED
His Recent Comments on the ST.
Louis Convention Call Down
Wrath Upon Him.
FEW STAND UP IN HIS DEFENSE

az = 2NeeCnS OF the Cn1teo LABOR IeaSu0
1t PitfsburE-Federation Chief Called q
"Plug-Hatted, Greasy Tool Of Capital" by
One Speaker-The Fight Against De Ar
init to Go On Regardless Of Any Settle
ment of tho Strike-Anti-Strike Plans
That Are Mooted.
Pittsburg. Sept. s.-The United Labor
League Of western Pennsylvania at q
largely attended and exciting meeting
last night gave expression to an open
revolt against Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent Of the American Federation of La
Dor, and many reflections and ugly
charges are made. It was all on ac-
count Of expressions made by Gompers
in reference to the recent convention Of
labor leaders at St. Louis. He is cred
tied with making unkind remarks about
the gathering and casting reflections on
those who were foremost in the meet
ing. Gompers had a few defenders in
the meeting, and at one time there were
remarks concerning somebody being
thrown out of the window. During the
discussion on a proposition to take some
action on the St. Louis platform. NJ. P.
Carrick. president Of the Brotherhood
of Painters and Decorators, referred to
Gompers as a "plug-hatted, greasy tool
OF capital" He said among other things
that President Gompers, through in
terviews and otherwise, had proved him
self no true friend Of labor.
Gompers Called a Labor Fakir.
Gompers had said that Debs and
Sovereign are trying to disrupt trades
unions. 1t was he that was doing his
utmost to accomplish this. II want to
say that it was not the trades unions
that came to the assistance of the min
ers in their great fight, but the great
mass of organized labor, and citizens
who have no interest in organizations.
Business men, politicians, sewing girls,
shop workers and people from all crafts
came to the relief Of the miners, and
their cause would have been utterly
lost had it depended on trades unions
and such men as Gompers. 1t is time
to call a halt on labor fakirs who sit in
their office and thank God that they
are not like the poor workingmen of the
country. Gompers is q disgrace to Ia
Dor and believe it is high time to call
down the would-be aristocrats of labor
and kick them bodily out of the move
ment."
When President Carrick finished he
was greeted with round after round of
applause. The following resolution Of
fered by John Dykus, representative of
the Typographical Union. was adopted:
THAT the United Labor League of
western Pennsylvania disapproves of
the utterances of Mr.. Gompers for the
reason that they are inimical to the
best interests Of organized labor, and
we are liberal enough to believe that
the great battle for the emancipation
OF labor cannot be won by trades unions
alone 1t was decided to send a dele
gate to the Chicago convention to be
held Sept. q and every delegate present
was instructed to urge his local to do
the same.
Will Keep Up the Fight on De Armit.
There was report at Turtle Creek
yesterday that agents Of the New York
and Cleveland Gas Coal company were
working among the foreign strikers en-
deavoring to get them to return to work
at the 5i-cent rate on the promise that
half Of their wages which are being held
back by the company would be paid
back on Sept. Is and the other half on
Oct. 25. Steps were at once taken to
onset this move, and the campers mis-
sionaries report that none Of the men
VIII go back to work until the strike is
settled. Captain Uriah Dillingham;. in
charge OF the camp at Plum creek, said
last night: I think it would be foolish
II the miners do not accept IS cents,
but in any event you can be sure that
We will keep up the fight against De
Armit until We win or starve."