Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-20
COMPERS ARRAICNED
Schaffsr Brings Charges Against
the Fsderation's President
COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THEN.


u That Mr.. Schader u Not In IN Ad-
vsntagsous Position to Prove
His Charges.
New Orleans, Nov. 1S.-Eithel
Theodore Shaffer, president Of tn
Amalgamated Association Of Iron
Steel and Tin Workers, or Samue
Gompers, president Of the American
Federation Of Labor, is destined t.
pass under cloud. 1t is q fight tt
the finish with the odds in favor Of
Gompers. The trouble which so sud
denly came to point in the conven
ton of the American Federation oil
Labor yesterday morning Is an echo
Of the great strike against the
United States Steel company thai
was fought and lost last year by the
Amalgamated association under the
leadership Of Shaffer. After his as
ISOLATION had been defeated President
Shaffer did not hesitate to utter
charges OF q serious nature against
President Gompers as well as against
John Mitchell, president of the
United Mine Workers Of America, 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, re-
fused to lend helping hand to the
Amalgamated association and had
even fought against it in the work.
The charges were leveled against
Mr.. Gompers in particular.
Delegate j. p. Sheridan, Of the
Amalgamated association, brought
the resolutions before. the conven-
ton asking unanimous consent for
their consideration. In concluding
his request he stated that tho reso-
lutions related to charges against
President Gompers.
A hush fell upon the convention and
President Gompers, rising slowly,
said: II wish Delegate Wilson, Of
tho mine workers, to take the chair"
Mr.. Wilson took the gavel 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 fdel-
ity to the principles Of unionism.
Therefore, be 1t resolved that the
federation appoint q committee to
investigate said charges and report
It's findings to the convention in or
der that the truth may be known"
II object" shouted delegate at
the far end Of the hall.
Instantly President Gompers was
on his feet and Mr.. Shaffer started
toward the front of the platform,
both intent on securing the with
drawal of the objection. Mr.. Com
pers spoke first, saying: IL hope my
friend will withdraw his objection"
"All right, | Withdraw it," was the
reply. Then, facing the convention,
Mr.. Gompers said: ut Is quite i'm
material to me what course Is pur.
sued, my only request being that
prompt action be taken on the reso-
luton. It's contents In few minutes
will be spread broadcast throughout
the country. | don't want this mat
ter to drag"
All eyes then turned on Mr.. Shaffer,
whose tall form was erect at the
foot of the platform upon which Mr..
Gompers sat. His face flushed and he
spoke rapidly. ~ ask" he said, II
urge, and, yes, demand the fullest
investigation Of these charges"
President Mahon, Of the Street Car
mems association, at once made .
motion that the matter be referred
to a special committee Of five.
Vice President Duncan offered an
amendment which was accepted by
Delegate Mahon for Ave members,
Mr.. Gompers naming two, Mr.. Shat
fer two and the four a fifth. This
motion was adopted by the conven-
ton and Mr.. Gompers named John
A. Moffltt, Of the United Hatters, and
Edward A. Agard Of the Glass Blow
ers' associarion. Mr.. snarfer iaSer
named ]. NJ. Slayton, Of the Carpen-
tiers and Joiners, and W. II. Haskins,
Of the United Mine Workers Of Ohio.
When the committee met in the
evening but three members were
present, and after waiting for some
time II was decided not to appoint
the fifth member and it was post
poned until to-day.
The general opinion among the
delegates is that Mr., Shaffer is not in
an advantageous position. The reso-
luton came as q surprise, he having
no knowledge Of the matter until just
before the convention opened. What
ever proof Of his charges he may
have elsewhere he has, by his own
admission, none with him. His only
reliance to uphold the burden Of
proof which Is on him is his personal
narrative Of the great steel strike of
1901.
Mr.. Gompers said: 1.-THE charges