Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-18
COMPERS AND SCHAFFER ROW
Revive Old Steel Strike Quarrel at Feders-
ton Meeting,
COMMITTEE WILL INVESTIGATE CHARGES
TroubIe Arises out of steel Mans Ale
cation tina Mitchell and others
Were Guilty of Lnunion-
Likc Conduct.

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 1L-Either Theo-
dore Shaffer, president of the A~malgamated
Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Work
ers, or Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation Of Labor, is destined
to pass under a cloud. 1t Is a fight to the
finish, with the odds in favor of Gompers.
The trouble, which so suddenly came to
a point in the convention Of the American
Federation of Labor this morning, is an
echo of the great strike against the United
States Steel company. After his associa-
ton had been defeated Shaffer uttered
charges of a serious nature against Com
pers, John Mitchell, president OF the
United Mine Workers, and Frank Sargent
OF the Brotherhood OF Railway Trainmen.
He asserted that the organizations over
which these men presided had, while listen
ing to the advice OF their leaders, refused
to lend a helping hand to the Amalga-
mated association, had even fought against
II in the dark.
J.. P. Sheridan OF the A~malgamated as
ISOLATION brought the matter before the
convention today.
A hush fell upon the convention and Mr..
Gompers. rising slowly. said:
II wish Delegate Wilson of the Mine
Workers to take the chair"
committee IN ApPOIuteus
Mr.. Wilson took the gavek and read the
resolutions as follows, which Sheridan had
offered:
Whereas. President Shaffer of the Anal
gamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers at their last convention In Wheel
ing. w. Va, made charges against Presi.
dent Gompers of the American Federation
of labor which impeached his fidelity to
the principles of unionism; therefore, be II
Resolved, That the Federation appoint q
to investigate said charges and
report its finding to the convention in
order that the truth may be known.
81 object" shouted a delegate at the far
end of the hall.
Instantly Mr.. Gompers was on his feet
and MIR. Shaffer started toward the front
Of the platform, both intent on securing the
withdrawal of the objection. Mr.. Gompers
spoke first, saying:
81 hope my friend will withdraw bis OBJ
jection.''
"All right, ] withdraw it, was the reply.
Mr.. Mahon of the Street Garments asso-
citation at once made a motion that the
matter be referred to a special committee
of FIVE. e"".- .
Vice President Duncan offered an amend
ment, which was accepted. and II was de-
cided hat Mr.. Gompers should name two
members, Mr.. Shaffer two and the fourth a
mo ONAOA Nho oOSbhNN - hHN WI
vention and Mr.. GompeTs named John A.
Mofhtt of the United Hatters and Edgar A.
Agard of the Glass Bottle Blowers ASSOC
citation, Mr.. Shaffer. ]. NJ. Slayton Of the
Carpenters and Joiners and w. H. Has
kins Of the United Mine Workers of Ohio.
When the committee met later but three
members were present and it was decided
not to appoint the fifth member and at
tempt work until tomorrow.
A resolution that before any union shall
make a demand for a change of wages or
conditions It be referred to the central
body for action was, reported adversely by
the committee on boycotts, to which COM
mittee it was referred, and its action was
sustained by the committee.
President 0'Connell of the machinists
declared that insufficient time had been
given committees to complete their work,
and asked for an adjournment until Tues
day morning, in order that the convention
could proceed more rapidly with it's labors.
His motion prevailed and an adjournment
was taken.