The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-26
A REPLY TO SHAFFER
GOMPERs AND MITCHELL CALL
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ANAL
GAMATED ASSOCIATION
PLAIN CHALLENGE IS MADE
Proposed That Committee of La
Dor Leaders Investigate Truth
OF Falsity of Skaters
Charges.

ter issued today at the Ashland house,
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Fereration of Labor, and vice
president of the Cigarmakers Interna-
tional union, and John Mitchell, presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers Of
America, and second vice president OF
the Federation of Labor, challenged
Theodore ]. Shaffer. president of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel
and Tin Workers, to prove his state
ments recently made against them. The
letter follows:
New York City, Sept 10, 19O1.-Mr.
Theodore ]. Shaffer, President of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel
and Tin Workers, Pttsburg, Pa: Dear
Sir-There was sent out by the Asso-
ciated Press and published in the New
York papers, statement purporting to
emanate from you in which grave
charges and insinuations are made by
you against the undersigned. mas
much as the accounts published differ
in phraseology only, but in all essentials
agree, there is no doubt in our minds
that the matter contained in the publica-
tons emanates from you. For your In
formation you will find herein enclosed
the clippings referred to from the New
York papers of Tuesday, Sept. "a.
1--WE have already said that there is
no doubt in our minds that the state
ments referred to were made by you
and assuming this to be so, we believe
that you should be afforded the ampleSt
opportunity of demonstrating the truth
of your charges and insinuations so tnat
If they are founded on fact the world Of
organized labor may know IT,. we pc
lieve you should be afforded the fullest
latitude in justifying your course, and
your charges, and at the same time
pillory us If we deserve it. On the
other hand, you will realize the impossi-
bility of our allowing Your charges and
insinuations to go broadcast Gnd stano
unanswered and unClalleng6Q.
Having due regard for our duty
toward the labor movement and the IN
terests committed to our cares, we
have no desire to enter into a contro-
versy through the newspapers, and
have therefore declined to say any
thing about the matter to the represent
us to answer. But repeating. that we
believe 1T to be necessary that your
charges and insinuations should be sub
stantiated or refuted, to that END we
submit the following proposition to you:
"First-That committee of three shall
meet either in Pittsburg, Washington, -.
c., or the city of New York, for the
purpose of hearing and determining the
charges and insinuations you have MADE
against ms.
..second-That If the committee finds
us guilty of your charges and lnslnua-
tions we will resign from the presidency
and the vice presidency of the Cigar
makers International union; from the
presidency of the United Mines Workers
of America, and from the second vice
presidency OF the American feOeratlol
of labor.
'"Third-That the committee shall con-
sist of three members of organized Ia
Dor, to be selected by you from lists
dent; Joseph Valentine, vice president,
Iron Molders' Union of North America;
John Phillips, secretary Hatters' Union
of North America; Secretary nlden, Or.
limit ACCnniafl0n
Plumbers, Gastitters, Steamfitters ana
Steamtitters Helpers; James Lynch,
president, or James w. Brentwood, Sec
rotary, International Typograpniea ca
ternational Printing Pres2men's union;
M Dolphin, president, or H. B. Perham,
secretary, Order of Railway Telegra-
piers; William H. Frazier, secretary In
ternational Seamen's union; E. Lewis
Evans secretary Tobacco Workers In
ternat1onal union; Jere L. Sullivan, sec
rotary Hotel and Restaurant Employees
International Alliance; M. Feeney, presi-
dent International Brotherhood of Book
binders; William Huber, president Inter-
national Brotherhood Carpenters and
Joiners Of America; Thomas Atkinson,
secretary Amalgamated Society of Car
penters and Joiners; James A. Gable, sec
rotary Coopers' international union; w.
b. Lapelesky, secretary Journeymen
BARRIERS International union; John Null
hollan, president International Associa-
You will observe that we have care
fully omitted to submit the name of any
member of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor, or of any
representative of any organization of
which any member of the executive coun-
Gil is a member. Of course we have not
submitted the names of all the men con-
spicuous for their ability and honesty
in the labor movement; that would be
impossible under the circumstances; but
the men whose names we have included
we think you will readily agree, have
never had their ability, honesty or stead
fastness of purpose questioned or i'm
pugned; that they are all men whose
verdict when rendered would carry con-
yictlon In the minds of the general pub
lie, the workers, and particularly those
in whom we are all interested-the mem
berS of organized labor.
If you prefer that the committee
should consist of men active in labor
movements, whose organizations are nm
affiliated with the American Federation
OF Labor, You may select the names of
either of the following gentlemen to COM
pose the committee, in whole or in part:
'P. H. Morrissey, grand master Order
of Railway Trainmen of America; e, e
Clark, grand conductor, Order of Railway
Conductors; Mr.. Moffitt, president of
Bricklayers' and Masons' International
union.
I'VE. should have submitted the names
of the officers of the Brotherhood of Lo-
connective Ftremen and the Brotherhood
or locomotive Engineers, but inasmuch
as Mr.. Sargent, of the former, has been
associated with US in our efforts In the
steel strike, and because of Mr.. Arthur
.poncy OF isolation toward the general la
Dor movement, we have omitted their
names.
I'VE cannot imagine that you would
make grave accusations against US with
out generalization as to their conse-
quences; we therefore insist that in com
mon justice to us and with due regard
TO the interests which both you and we
represent. you will advise us at the head
quarters of the American Federation of
LABOR, 423-3 c street northwest, WASH
1ngton, D. c., within three days of your
acceptance of our proposition.
"Fraternally yours,
Samuel Gompers,
PRESIDENT A. F. of L.; Vice President of
C1garmakers' International Union
John Mitchell,
president United Mine Workers Of
america; Second Vice President A. F.
of L."