The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-11-21
BATTLE At NEW ORLEANS.
Dispute Between President Shat.
fer of the Steel Workers and
Samuel Gompers Revived.
WILL LIKELY De FOUGHT TO 4 FINISH.
IL IL an Outgrowth OF the Great steel
WorLers' strike III 1907, Whea
the Federation Of Labor ana
United Mine Workers Failed %
support The Stcct Men.

New Orleans, Nov. lS.-Either Theo
dore Shaffcr, p csident of the Amalga
mated Association of Iron, Steel anc
Tin Workers. or Samuel Gompers
president of the American Federation
OF Labor, is destined TO pass under q
cloud. 1t is fight TO finish, with
the odds in favor of Gompers. Tht
trouble, which so suddenly came to
point in the convention of the Ameri
can Federation of Labor Monday
morning, is an echo of the great
struggle against the United States Stee,
Co. which was fought and lost last
year by the amalgamated association
under the leadership of Shaffer. Aft
err his association had been defeated
President Shaffer did not hesitate &c
utter charges of serious nature
against President Gompers, as well as
against John Mitchell, president Of
the United Mine Workers. and Frank
Sargent, of the Brotherhood of Rail
way Trainmen. lie asserted that the
organizations over which these mer
presided had, while listening TO the
advice of their leaders, refused &C
lend helping hand 10 the amalga
mated association and had even foughl
against il in the dark.
The charges were lcveled agains
Mr.. Gompers in particular. Delegate
J. r. Sheridan, of the amalgamated as
sociation. brought the resolutions be-
fore the convention, asking unanimous
g., I.s a
In concluding his speech he stated
that the resolutions related TO charges
against President Gompers.
A hush fell upon the convention,
and President Gompers. rising slowly,
said: II wish Delegate Wilson, of the
Mine Workers. 10 take the chair"
Mr.. Wilson took the gavcl, and the
resolutions were read as follows:
"Whereas. President Shaffer of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron
Steel and Tin Workers, at their last
convention in Wheeling, w. Va, made
charges against President Gompers. OF
the American Federation of Labor
which impeached his fidelity TO the
principles of unionism.
Therefore, be it resolved, that tht
federation appoint a committee to in
vestigate said charges and report its
/ finding TO the convention, in order
that the truth may be known"
y object" shouted delegate ri
tie far end of the hall.
Instantly FL. sident Gompers was ON
his feet, and Mr.. Shaffer started to-
ward The front Of the platform. both
Intent on securing the withdrawal OF
the objection. MIR. Gompcrs spoke
first. saying:
Il hope my friend will withdraw his
objection"
"All right: i withdraw it," was the
reply.
Then facing the convention, Mr.
Gompers said: 1T is quite inmate
rial TO me what course is pursued, my
only request being that prompt ac
ton be taken on the resolution. 1t:
contents in few minutes will bs
cpread broadcast throughout the
country. i don't want this matter tC
drag"
All eyes then turned on Mr.. Shat
fer. whose tall form was erect at the
foot Of the platform upon which Mr.
Gnslpers sat-
His face flushed and he spoke rapid
~. Il ask" he said, Il urge, and, yes
l demand the fullest investigation Of
these charges"
President Mahon, of the Street Cal
Mems rs sociation, at once made a mo-
ton that the matter be referred to {
special committee Of five.
Vice-Prcsident Duncan offered al
amendment, which was accepted by
Delegate Mahon, for five members, Mr.
Gompers naming two, Mr.. Shaffer two
and the four fifth. This motion was
adopted by the convention.
The general opinion among the dele
gates is that MIR. Shafrer is not in III
advantageous position. The investiga
ton came upon him rs "a surprise.