The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-19
EITHER GOMP[RS
OR SHAFFER FALLS
To Investigate Charges Shat
fer has Made.
FOUR MEN APPOINTED
These viii To-day Appoint 18TH and Begin
the Investigation Which is Demanded
An Echo Of The Great Ste
Strike.
(By the Associated Press.)

New Orleans. Nov. 17.-Either Theo-
dore Shaffer. president of the Amalga-
mated Association of Iron and Steel
Workers, or Samuel Gompers, president
of the American Federation of Labor,
seems destined to pass under a cloud.
1t is fight to a finish and at present
the odds favor Gompers.
The trouble which suddenly came to a
point in the convention of the American
Federation of Labor this morning was
the echo of the great strike against the
United States Steel corporation, which
was founght and lost last year by the
Amalgamated Association under the
leadership of Shaffer. After his asso
citation had been defeated President
Shaffer did not hesitate to utter charges
Of serious nature against President
Gompers as well as against John
Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers,
and Frank Sargent. president of the
Railway Trainmen. He asserted that
the organizations over which these men
presided had, while listening to the ad-
vice of these leaders, refused to lend
helping hand to the Amalgamated Asso-
l
in the dark
The charges were levelled against Mr.
Gorpers in particular.
President 'Gompers, last fall, made
reply denying that he had acted in bad
faith toward the Amalgamated Associa-
ton. There the matter slumbered until
this morning, when ]. P. Sheridan, of
the Amalgamated Association a colleague
of Mr.. Shaffer, rose and offered a reso-
luton relating to charges against Mr..
Gc-lpers.
Delegate Wilson, of the Mine Workers,
took the gavel and Delegate Sheridan
read his resolution as follows:
Whereas, President Shaffer, of the
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel
and Tin Workers, at their last conyen-
ton held in Wheeling, w Va, made
charges against President Gompers, of
the American Federation of Labor,
which impeached his fidelity to the prin-
ciples of unionisn, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Federation ap-
point committee to investigate said
charges and report finding to the con-
yention in order that the truth may be
knGvyn.''
Objections We're offered to the admis-
sion of the resolutions, but both Presi-
dent Gompers and President Shaffer de-
marded the fullest investigation of the
charges.
1t finally was decided by the conven-
uon TO name special investigation COM
mittee OF five mempers, Mr.. Gompers
to name two, Mr. Shafeer two, and these
Tour to name fifth. Mr.. Gompers named
as his representatives John f. NIoffatt,
of the United Hatters, and Edgar A.
AGard, of the Glass Bottle Blowers AS
ISOLATION Mr.. Shaffer named J. M.
Slayton, of the Carpenters and Joiners,
and ". Ii. Haskns, of the United Mine
Workers OF Ohio.
When the committee met in the even
ing but three members were present
ana after waiting for some time it was
decided not to appoint the other member
or attempt any work until tomorrow
Il only knew one hour before the
opening of the convention that the resolu-
ticn would be introduced" said Mr.
Shaffer 1T looks to me as though Mr..
Sheridan and Mr.. Gompers were in col
fusion and by forcing me to bring
charges, which they think l cannot sub
stantiate to discredit me before the mem
so that | cannot be reelected to the
head of that organization
Mr.. Gompers: 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 organized labor,
and | never have had thought nor per-
formed an action which was not intended
for its advancement. l welcome any in
vcstgation. There has been no collision
between Mr.. Sheridan and myself re-
garding the presentation of his resolu-
ton. l knew it was coming and SO did
Mr.. Shaffer. Ny hope is that the special
committee act promptly and that it's re-
port may follow closely upon the
charges
Mr.. Sheridan declined to discuss the
resolution at length, saying that it spoke
for itself.
Il wish to deny, however, he said,
that | am acting with Mr.. Gompers. l
am not an admirer of his and If when
we elect a president his is the only name
mentioned | will not vote for him.