The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-20
GOMPERS UNDER FIRE
Shaffer's Fight Against Him Bobs
Up in A. F. of L. Convention.
ECHO OF GREAT STEEL STRIKE

II Is Said Renewal Of Dispute Means
Fight to Finish, and at Present
odds Seem to Favor oompers-In-
vestigating Committee Named.
New Orleans. Nov. 1s.-Either The
odore Shaner. president of the Anal
gamated Association, or Samuel Com
pers. president of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, is destined TO pass
under cloud. The eclipse may be
temporary and the man who goes un-
der may emerge at some other time.
but an eclipse there will be for one or
the other. II is a fight to the finish
and present odds favor Gompers. The
trouble which so suddenly came to a
point in the convention of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor yesterday is
an echo of the great steel strike
against the United States Steel COM
pany. which was fought and lost last
year by the Amalgamated Association
under the leadership of Shaifer After
his association had been defeated
President Shaffer made serious
charges against President Gompers. as
well as John Mitchell. president of the
United Mine Workers. and Frank Sar-
gent of the Brotherhood OF Railway
/ Trainmen. He asserted that the or
CARNATIONS over which these men pro
sided had. while listening to the ad-
vice OF their leaders. refused 10 lend a
helping hand to the Amalgamated
Association and had even fought
against it in the dark.
Part of the charges are as follows:
"As the strike went on the federation
gave not a cent The flint glass
blowers, the window glass blowers
the bottle blowers and the pottery
workers gave us help. arranged for
Mr.. GOmpers TO meet Mr.. Morgan 10
effect a settlement Mr.. Morgan gave
up his vacation. went to New York
and waited for Mr.. Gompers, who fall
er to appear. nor has he since ex-
planned why he neglected our inter
ests. Mr.. Gompers urged me to hurry
/ from Pittsburg TO New York TO sign
the wage scale offered by the trust
| through a committee of which Com
pers and John Mitchell we're mem
/ bers."
Delegate Sheridan yesterday offered
in the convention the following resi-
luton:
Whereas. President Shaner, OF the
Amalgamated Association, at their
last convention. held in Wheeling. w.
Va. made charges against President
GOmpers, Of the American Federation
Of Labor. which impeached his fidelity
TO the principles of unionism, there
fore be II
Resolved, That the federation ap-
/ point a committee 70 investigate said
charges and report its findings to the
convention in order that the truth may
be known"
Mr.. Gompers addressing the con
vention. said: 1T is quite immaterial
TO me what course is pursued. my only
request being that prompt action b.
taken on the resolution. I do not want
/ this matter TO drag"
All eyes then turned on Mr.. Shaffer
who stood at the foot of the platform
upon which Mr.. Gompers sat. His
face was flushed and he spoke rapid
ly. Il ask" he said. Il urge. and, yes.
l demand the fullest investigation of
these charges"
President Mahon. of the Street Car
mems Association, at once made ma
ton, which was adopted, that the
! matter be referred to a special com
mittee of FIVE. An amendment was
offered and accepted that the conven
TONS committee consist Of Ave mem
bers, Mr. Gompers to name two, Mr.
Shaffer two and the four fifth.
Last night Mr.. Shaffer said he was
not aware Of the fact that the resolu-
ton was to be introduced In the con.
vention until the opening day. and that
he protested against 1t, as he had no
proofs with him by which to prove the
! charges