The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-11-21
OLD DISPUTE
AIRED AGAIN
sHAFFER's CHARGES AGAINST
GoMPERs AND MITCHELL.
CALL FOR AN INVESTIGATION
Refused to Support AmaIgamated AS
ISOLATION During the Steel
Strike.
CALL FOR AN INVESTIGATION

New Orleans, Nov. 1.-THE old dis
pute between President Shaffer, of the
Amalgamated Association of Steel
workers, and President Gompers, of
the American Federation of Labor,
broke out afresh in the labor conven-
ton today and there is every prospect
that on this occasion, the fight will be
to a finish. The charges were origi-
nally made by President Shaffer, af-
ter the termination of the great steel
strike in 1901. They were to the eff
feet that President Gompers, of the
Federation of Labor, and President
John Mitchell of the United Mine
workers, had been guilty of %ununion-
like conduct in refusing to support
his organization in it's fight. They,
on the other hand, asserted that the
association over which President
| Shaffer presided was trying to violate
it's agreements and that his stand
was untenable. Delegate Sheridan, of
the Amalgamated association, col
league OF President Shaffer in the con-
vention, threw a bomb by asking unan-
imous consent to introduce a resolu-
ton calling for an investigation Of the
charges. Both parties announced that
they courted the investigation and it
will be referred to a special commit
tee of five, two to be selected by Pres
ident Shaffer, two by President Com
pers, and the four to choose the fifth.
After the adjournment, President
Shaffer asserted with great emphasis:
"The entire thing is a scheme to in
lure me and to discredit me so that
I cannot be reelected. I had no part
in the presentation of the resolution
offered by Sheridan and 1 K believe that
he and Gompers are in collision re-
garding it."
Denied the Charge.
When this statement was made to
Mr.. Sheridan, he denied that there
was any cooperation between him
self and President Gompers. The lat
ter said: "Mr. Shaffer may be en-
tirely correct when he says he did not
desire the Introduction of the resolu-
ton, but it is utterly false that l am
in league with Sheridan or anybody
a1.o =, +lic nation
\ President Gompers said: "There
is nothing in my connection with the
labor movement that l wish to con-
ceal have always acted with a
single eye to the best interests of la
boring men Of the country. | welcome
the investigation in order that the
matter may be finally disposed Of
Very few of the committees we're
ready to report when the convention
opened this morning. Delegate Ma
5 hon, of the special committee investi-
eating the application of the long
shoremen for a change of name eX-
tending their jurisdiction, announced
!, that President Keefe, of the long
shoremen, declined to serve as a mem
Der of the committee believing that
> it should be composed of disinterest'
! ed parties. After debate, in which
there was a succession OF motions and
+. amendments, it was finally decided
, to remove from the committee, all
f members representing organizations
directly interested in the claims OF
!, Acknowledgement for jurisdiction
;: At this point the Shaffer-Gompers dis
. pute came up.
Resolution Defeated.
A resolution that before any unior
shall make a demand for a change Of
wages and conditions it be referred
e to the central body for action, was re
s ported adversely by the committee OF
d boycotts, to which the resolution wa:
referred, and it's action was sustained
Il by the convention. President Nc
Cornell, of the Machinists, declared
that insufficient time had been givel
f. committees to complete their Worl
r. and asked for an adjournment unit
= Tuesday morning in order that tn
!. convention could proceed more rapld
70 " with it's labors. His motion pre-
vailed and the adjournment wa
st taken.
ri