The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-28
ROW BETWEEN
LABOR CHIEFS.
Trouble is Brewing Between
GOmpers and Shaffer.
Head of American Federation is
Expected at Wheeling
A PERSONAL HEARING.
Is Urged to Defend Himself Be-
fore the Iron Workers.
Much Feeling Already Manifest
ed on Both Sides.

Wheeling, w. Va. April 28-The Anal
gamated association got down to real
business today. The wage committee
finished Saturday and was the first to
report this morning. This will consume
much time. The convention goes over
the report in detail, discussing each fea-
ture, and even if no opposition develops,
it is a lengthy procedure. That there
win be opposition, however, goes with
out saying. The opponents of the new
policy of signing scales viii take advan-
tage of this opportunity to express their
dlSapprOVal of the officers action and
this is where the minority report Of the
wage committee viii come in. The re-
port probably will take up the entire
day. There seems to be little doubt
however, that the report will be endorsed
by the convention. President Shafer
seems to have a controlling interest and
unlike the result of the fight on contest
ed seats, it will not be a compromise.
The argument in favor Of the scales that
will be advanced to the convention will
be that the procedure was entirely con-
stitutiOnal. 1t will be cited that the
scales were signed by the regularly au-
thorlzed committees and that the mill
owners were fully informed that the
ratification of the scales depended upon
action by the convention At the sams
time it seems that the faith of the con-
ference committees is pledged to the
manufacturers that the scales will be
endorsed.
One reason for the advance signing of
the scales is that it removes possibility
Of strife between the union and manu-
facturers for at least another year. The
imminence of the fight between GomperS
and Shaffer continued to be the topic
of conversation among Amalgamated
and other labor men yesterday. More
startling developments are expected this
week and It is possible that the matter
may assume proportions that will make
it the sensation of the convention and
oVershadOw the regular business trans
actions Of the organization. That
Gompers will come here this week is
now thought to be certain. An answer
to a telegram of inquiry was received
stating that he had left the city, and
that it was thought he had gone to New
York. National Organizer Thomas Flynn,
who was here all day Friday and until
2 O'Clock Saturday afternoon, will re-
turn today
1t is understood that he will urge the
necessity Of Gompers' coming, if the lat
ter has not already arrived before he
gets back
In the meantime local declarations of
labor leaders and the anti-Shaffer fac
ton are rallying around the Gompers'
standard. If Gompers demands q per-
sonal hearing before the amalgamation
it probably will be the most exciting in
cident in the history Of the organization.
President Shaffer's adherents are not
mincing words in their denunciation of
Flynn's coming and GOmperS' action in
sending him here. They say Gompers
had no right to take unofficial newspa-
per reports Of Skaters address and that
Flynn is imprudent in thinking he could
get a hearing.