The Topeka state journal., 1902-11-20
Investigation Committee Finds
Nothing to Investigate.
A Question of Veracity Between
Shaffer and Sheridan.
IT WILL NOT DOWN.
Socialism Continues to Come to
the Front
AS an Element of Disturbance
at New Orleans,

New Orleans. La. Nov. 20.-President
Gompers has been completely exoner-
ated of the charges of infidelity to the
principles of trades unionism. said to
have been made by Theodore ]. Shaffer,
president of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Iron. Steel and Tin Workers.
The report of the special committee
which has conducted the Investigation
reported to that effect today before the
convention of the American Federation
of Labor.
The committee reported that when
Mr.. Shaffer appeared before it he de-
clared that he had not at any time,
either in writing or otherwise, made any
charges against Mr.. Gompers of inf
deity to trades unionism. nor did he de-
sire to do so before the committee.
P. J. Sheridan, who introduced the res
olution which resulted in the investiga-
ton, was asked at the hearing if it was
true that Mr.. Shaffer made any charges
against Mr.. GomDers, and he replied
that he had Mr. Shaffer denied it. Mr.
Sheridan offered to read the minutes or
the meeting at Whicn charges were sAlu
by him to have been made. Mr.. Sf-af-
fer objected to this. because the min
utes were those of 8 secret meeting and
if read by Mr.. Sheridan IL would involve
him in trouble with his own organization
for oivu.g1ng the inner workings OF the
convention
The convention decided that The ques-
ton of veracity between Mr.. Shaffer
and Mr.. Sherida.. vas something with
which il had nothing tc 90, and there
being no charges against Mr.. Gornpers.
there was nothing to do but return
finding TO tie effect that Mr.. GomDefs
was completely exonerated. This was
done and the report was adopted by the
convention
! The convention then entered upon an
J.
siderab BILE feeling was shown. on the reso-
/ lutions introduced by Victor L. Berger,
4 of Milwaukee, committing the conven-
tion to the doctrines of socialism The
/ committee on resolutions reported. as
similar committee had reported al the
/ Scranton convention last year, that the
principles of the trades union movement
contain all that is necessary at the
present time for the advancement Of the
Workingmen of the country Delegate
Max Hayes offered substitute for the
report of the convention to the effece
that the federation advise the working
people to organize their economic and
political power to secure for labor the
full equivalent of it's toll anG the over
throw of the wage system and establish
ing an Industrial cooperative democ-
racy. The substitute was ruled out OF
order by the chair as being substi-
! tute COR the report of the committee.
which was substitute for the original
+ resolution. Delegate Hayes then offered
it as an amendment. and it was so ad-
mitted by the chair.
/ Delegate Hayes took the floor in de-
fense of his amendment as did Berger,
Ward, Brewer and Sherman. In oppo
sition to the amendment and in favor
of the report of the committee were
Delegate Hayes, Vice President Duncan,
Lewis Duffy and others. Delegate Will
son proposed to amend the amendment
by striking out the WOrcs land the
overthrow of the wage system and es-
tablishing an industrial co, operative de-
mocracy-'
Delegate Hayes declared this accept
able to him, but no action was taken
and the debate proceeded