The San Francisco call., 1903-01-08
SERIOUS CLASH
IN LABOR RANKS
Politics Causes Heated
Discussion at Los
Angeles.
Delegates Try to Avoid I'm
putatiOnS Of Ill-WilI To-
ward Schmitz.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. THE question
OF injecting politics in trades unions or
trades unions in politics precipitated a
seemingly endless discussion this after
noon in the convention of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor and when adjournment
was taken at O'Clock the whole matter
was still open for settlement. The dis
cussion of to-day vas the sequel to the
defeat of the Schmitz Endorsement offered
TO the convention yesterday. which, it de
veloped. was voted down because of the
opposition of a great part of the conven-
tion to taking any definite action in po-
litical matters.
The clash came to-day when the follow
ing resolution was offered:
Resolved. That we. the state Federation of
Labor Of California recommend to all the
unions Of this State to unite in solid political
action to gain control Of the Government and
thereby gain complete control of the means of
production and distribution and thereby get the
tul product OF labor.
Walter Macarthur of San Francisco i'm
medistely moved that the action be in
definitely postponed. During considerable
confusion on the floor Of the convention
the roll was finally called and the secre-
tary announced that the motion had been
defeated by III votes.
The announcement was supposed TO be
conclusive and consideration of the mo-
tion had begun when John Bell, delegate
from the Coast Marine Firemen's Union
discovered that the 500 votes which he
had cast for his constituency in favor of
tabling the resolution had been recorded
against the motion. The remaining hour
of the session was not sufficient TO set
tie the dispute that followed Bells dis
covery and the question will be reopened
tomorrow
When discussion was opened on the
original resolution, the existing division
of opinion regarding the entrance OF the
unions into politics made itself manifest
and a spirited debate followed. Led by
Walter Macarthur the conservative
unions OF San Francisco waged hot fight
against entering into politics. They were
opposed by the socialist element under
the leadership of G. S. Brewer. recently
candidate for Governor on the Socialist
ticket
Trades unionism in politics in San
Francisco has proven a failure asserted
Walter Macarthur in a stinging attack
on the proposed changes. Continuing,
Macarthur said
Eugene L. Schmitz was elected Mayor OF San
Francisco not by the Union Labor party but
by a general uprising OF the rank and file os
all political parties as protest against NAL
administration in city government probably IN
the use OF police force In this city on the en-
poyers' side of the labor dispute.
Since their advent into politics the unions OF
san Francisco have gone backward They are
torn by Internal disseusions over the distribu-
tion Of sDoils and political offices and are los
ing sight OF the economic principles that un-
derby their foundation.
Before adjournment the committee on
legislation. which is supposed to be large
~ Socialist in it's makeup, offered the
following amendment to the resolution:
Resolved That the California State Fedora
ton of Labor hereby expresses its sympathy
with political action by the working classes.
1t Is understood that this amendment
has a better chance Of receiving indorse-
ment on account Of its moderate tone.
Before adjournment practical reconsid-
Grafton was taken on the action yesterday
In falling to adopt a resolution indorsng
Mayor e f. Schmitz OF San Francisco
as municipal executive and beloved
friend OF labor. The reconsideration was
in the form Of a motion to the effect that
the resolution introduced yesterday was
voted down because parts of it were con-
trary to the avowed policy of the con-
vention not to take any action on politi-
cal questions. The Endorsement of Mayor
Schmitz. to many Of The delegates. seemed
to SAVIOR TOO much of political action and
was for that reason, according to the mo-
tion of to-day, voted down. The motion
was passed by a rising vote, the dele
gates evidently being anxious to avoid
any imputation Of ill-feeling toward San
Francisco's Mayor.