Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-18
THE SOCIALISTS
Attemptto Dominate Federation
Of Labor Meeting.
Nine Of Their Resolutions Voted Down
and Others Go Over.
Gompers Loses Patience with Specta.
tors and Clears the Hall.

whether the Federation would commit
itself to the doctrine of Socialism came
squarely before the delegates to the
convention Of the American Federation
of Labor at its session, today. The
question was not answered, because.
shortly before s o'clock, an adjourn
ment was taken until tomorrow, when
the debate will be resumed.
Some nine resolutions favoring pub
lie ownership and the organization OF
a political party to bring about con-
ditions the Socialists seek were all re-
ported Oh unfavorably by the commit
tee on resolutions. At once the long
arranged plan of the Socialist delegates
to fight for the adoption of their prin-
cipies was put into operation by Dele
gate Hayes of Cleveland. He offered
a substitute for the committees report
but was ruled out of order.
At this point The applause from the
spectators led President Gompers to
announce that he would order the gal
leries cleared if the applause were con-
tinued. His remark was received with
Kisses. Thereupon he ordered the spec
tators to leave. There was great deal
Of confusion and at the end the elected
people, numbering several hundred, as
sembled outside Faneuil hall and
adopted resolutions condemning Pres
ident Gompers for his action.
Meantime the debate was resumed
by the delegates. Delegate Hayes and
other Socialists spoke at length against
the committees report, while the com
mittee's position was supported by Del
egate Lennon, the treasurer Of the Fed
Grafton.
Just before adjournment the elected
spectators We're permitted to re-enter
the hail.
Almost Immediately after the dele
gates had assembled. Pres. Gonlpers
got into a lively exchange Of words
with Delegate Mahoney of Boston. The
committee on resolutions had reported
unfavorably OH q resolution to strike
out Article 3 Of the constitution, the
words "only such political question.
and measures affecting the interests o.
the. working class shall be discussed OF
acted upon by the convention of the
American Federation of Labor" After
4 motion had been made that the com.
mittee's report be concurred in Dele
gate Mahoney started to speak on the
question but the Chair interrupted him
The Chair said he did not care to pro
woke the same discussion a dozen diff
ferent ways. He declared that one
method of treating the subject at issue
should be agreed upon and then fol
lowed. He thought resolutions such a!
that reported upon should be consider
ed together by the convention. The
committees report was then concurret
in.
Similar action was taken on the ad
verse report of the committee OH law
on the resolution that an expert ac
countant be employed once every 81,
months to audit the books of the Fed
Grafton and report to all affiliated or
CARNATIONS. Delegate Lapland, of Hi
nos was refused permission to intro
duce a resolution. calling for the adop
ton Of uniform text books in public
schools, the books to bear the unto,
label, on the ground that this was F;
matter for each State to settle by it
self.
Severa! delegates headed by Presi-
dent John +. Tobin of the Boot ant
Shoe Workers Union. presented q reso'
luton that the committee on law
amend the constitution SO as to abso-
lutely prohibit placing any bushes;
concern on the unfair list by any local
central or state body connected Will
the Federation without the sanction
of the National or International Union
whose interests are involved. The COM
mittee recommended that the follow
ing resolution be adopted as substi.
tute:
mo central or local body shall have
Continued ON page 81