Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-22
FIGHT FOR CONTROL
Contest in the Federation of
Labor at Boston.
Much Interest in the Coming Con-
vention, Nov. 9.
The Radical Element Wants to Defeat
Gompers.

Boston, Oct. 2l.-The meeting of the
American Federation of Labor in an
nual convention in Boston. November
9, is being looked forward to by all
classes Of people VINO are in any way
affected by the attitude of organized
labor, with the greatest interest. The
feature of this convention that is call
ing forth so great attention is the ex-
pected struggle between the conserva-
tiveS and the radicals for control of the
federation through the election of Off
GERS
This contest will only be continual
ton of the fight that was made at New
Orleans, at the meeting of the fedora
ton last year, when the radicals made
the election of the conservative officers
a matter of very small majority.
Since then the many victories of trade
unionism all over the country have
caused Il strengthening of the radical
forces, which it has been very hard for
the conservative elements to control.
President Gompers. in his capacity as
the leader of the organization, is re-
garded as one of the most conservative,
among the officers holding prominent
positions.
Mr.. Gompers has taken the view that
organized labor can afford to go slowly,
and he believes that strikes should be
avoided as far as possible. 1t is said
that if he had his way at all times the
federation would be conducted along
very much the same lines that con-
trolled the late Chief Arthur of. the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
He would accomplish by a continued
pressure for better conditions, using
means of persuasion. arbitration and
Cancellation constantly, and resorting
to strikes as seldom as possible, what
the more radical element believe can
only be attained by demands accom-
panied by threats of immediate retalia-
ton by means of strikes both direct
and sympathetic.
This attitude of Mr.. GOmpers toward
labor problems is regarded by the radi-
cal element as an evidence of weakness.
They do not appreciate the power of
diplomacy in obtaining a desirable end
when it is contrasted with the more
exciting power of war. A concession
gained as the result of a peremptory
demand backed up by an immediate
strike in allied trades, is looked upon
by this class of trade unionists as a
greater victory than would be the ac-
complishment of the same results by
months of negotiation. during which
small concessions would be gained from
time to time until the entire wishes of
the trade had been obtained.
Then. too, President Mitchell of the
Mine Workers Union. who is generally
Tod ha rft oil
ment, has in the past been looked upon
as believer in socialism. This term
is used in general way, the exact ma
ture of the socialistic tendencies of Mr.
Mitchell never having been clearly out
lined by him in any public way Mr..
Gompers asks for nothing more than a
free hand to obtain the things that la
Dor wants by the power of labor to get
them. He carried this view SO far
when the industrial commission was in
session in this city as to declare that
he had but little interest in legislation,
congressional or otherwise. He was
one of the first to disapprove of the
propaganda in favor of compulsory ar
bitration at a time when the idea of
that method of settling labor disputes
was very strong among many of the
labor leaders. The most radical ele-
ment in the convention will be made up
of men who are not prominent as lead
ers. To some of these men Mr.. Mitchell
himself is conservative.
When the convention is assembled in
Boston next month the two parties will
be lined up as the Gompers and the
Mitchell men. The interest that at
taches to the contest lies in the fact
that President Gompers is regarded as
contending force for conservative ac-
ton rather than that he is able to Sc
cure conservative action at all times.
On the other hand the party that looks
to Mr.. Mitchell as its leader is regarded
as inclined to pursue a more aggressive
policy in making demands for trade
unionism. What such leadership
would result in is regarded by labor
leaders as problematical.
This contest within the Federation of
Labor for supremacy of leadership is
calling forth the interest of politicians.
business men and labor leaders
wherever the Importance of the result
Is appreciated. Politicians wonder what
VIII be the effect of radical leadership
within the federation upon the political
SITUATION two years hence. Any radi-
cal course on the part of trade union
ism is looked upon as likely to show
us Iull effect in time to become an ele-
hlent In the condition of the country by