The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-18
OLD FIGHT is
ON ONCE MORE
Federation of Labor Has Troubles
on the inside.
sHAFFER-eonP MIDDLE
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO FIN
ALLY SETTLE MATTER.

ers, and President Gompers Of the
American Federation OF Labor, broke
out afresh in the labor convention to-
day and there is every prospect that
on this occasion the fight win be to
finish The charges were originally
made by President Shafer after the
termination Of the great steel strike
of 1901 They were to the effect that
President Gompers of the American
Federation of Labor and President
John Mitchell of the United Mine
Workers had been guilty of un-union-
like conduct in refusing to support his
organization in its fight. They, on the
other hand. asserted that the associ-
alton over which President Shaffer pre-
sided was trying to violate its agree
ments, and that his stand was unten-
able Delegate Sheridan of the Anal
gamated association. a colleague of
President Shaffer in the convention,
threw the bomb by asking unanimous
consent TO introduce a resolution CALI
ing for an investigation of the charges.
Both parties announced that they
courted the investigation, and It will
be referred to a special committee OF
five, two to be selected by President
Gompers, two by President Shaffer,
and the four TO choose a fifth.
Umpire Seleced.
President Gompers announced that
the two members OF the special COM
mittee representing his interests to be
John A Moffatt of the United Hatters
and Edgar A. Agard of the Glass Bot
tie Blowers union.
Mr.. Shaffer later named J. NJ. Stay
ton of the Carpenters and Jointers and
- sir 81 H.
Workers of Ohio.
When the committee met in the
evening but three members were pres
ent and after waiting some time it was
decided not to appoint the fifth mem
Der until tomorrow.
The general opinion among the dele
gates is that Mr.. Shaffer is not in an
advantageous position. The resoIu-
ton came as a surprise, he having no
knowledge Of the matter until Just be-
fore the convention opened. Whatever
proof of his charges he may have else
where, he has, by his own admission
none with him. His only reliance to
uphold the burden of proof which is
with him is his personal narrative of
the great steel strike of 1901. He said
late this afternoon:
Shaffer Taken Unawares.
st was taken wholly unaware in this
matter. had not discussed the
charges which I made before the last
convention OF our union, the Anal
gamated Iron, Steel and Tin Workers,
at Wheeling, w. Va, with Delegate
Sheridan. I only knew one hour be-
fore the opening of the convention that
the resolution would be introduced. 1t
looks to me as though Mr. Siberian and
Mr.. Gompers were in collision and, by
forcing me TO bring charges which
they think cannot substantiate, would
endeavor to discredit me before the
members of the Amalgamated associ-
atoms so that 1 cannot be reelected
to the head Of that organization Then,
too, l tried to prevent the election of
Mr.. Siberian as a delegate to this con-
vention, and that may have something
to do with the case.
The charges I made against Com
pers were included in a little pamphlet
which I wrote after the settlement of
the strike in 1901 / claimed that we
were entitled to the aid Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, and, inasmuch
as we did not get it, charges were made
that President Gompers had acted in
a manner unfriendly to the cause Of
organized labor.
Il am confident that the members Of
our organization are too loyal TO be
drawn away by any such proceedings
as this, and l am not worrying about
the matter in the least"
Statement by Gompers.
Mr.. Gompers said: The CHARGES
cannot be upheld, because there is no
truth in them. The best years of my
life have been given to the cause of
ganized labor, and 1 have never had
a thought or performed any action
which was not intended for its ad-
vancement. l welcome any investiga-
ton. There has been no collision be-
tween Mr.. Sheridan and myself regard
ing the presentation of his resolution.
| knew it was coming. and so did Mr.
Shaffer. My hope is that the special
committee viii act promptly, and that
It's report may follow closely upon the
charges"
Very few OF the committees were
ready to report when the convention
opened this morning. Delegate Mahon
Of the special committee investigating
the application of the lOngshOremen fol,
a change of name and extending their
jurisdiction, announced that President
Aeefe of the lOngshoremen declined to
serve as a member of the COMMITTEES, /
believing that it should be composed
Of disinterested parties. After debate, |
in which there was a succession Of
motions and amendments, ii was finally
~CSANCQ 10 IEIlONe from the committee /
all members representing organizations
directly interested in the claims Of the
for jurisdiction.
At this point the Shaffer- Gompers /
dispute came up. When Delegate Sher- |
ldan asked consent for the introduction !
Of resolution, a delegate offered an
objection, which President Gompers re-
quested him TO withdraw. Delegate
Shaffer demanded that the matter be
and the objection was
President Gompers retired
from the chair and called Delegate WI
son of the Mine Workers 10 the chair
Upon motion of Delegate Mahon and
amendment by Vice President Duncan,
the matter was referred to a committee
Of five, two TO be chosen by President
Gompers, two by Delegate Shaffer and
the fifth to be selected by the four,
A resolution that before any union
shall make a demand for a change of
wages and conditions it be referred to
the central body for action was re-
ported adversely by the committee on
boycotts, 10 which the resolution was
and its action was sustained
by the convention.
President Mcconnell Of the nIachin-
lists declared that insufficient time had
been given committees to complete
their work and asked for adjournment
until Tuesday morning in order that
the convention would proceed more
rapidly with its labors. His motion
prevailed and the adjournment was
taken.
BoODLERS IN COURT.