The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-09
PLANS TO SHELVE GOMPERS AND
ELECT new PRESIDENT A. F. OF |.
Labor Commit in P. Of I.

tries, including demands for the
abStitutton of a system Of co-opera-
tive production. should he adopted
and forced into the political arena
as an issue. Up to the recent few
years the radicals have been in a
sad minority bnt important develop
numbers, not so much perhaps
among the officials as to the rank and
file of the movement The central
ization of capital into trusts and
the growing severity of strikes and
lockouts, the advance in the cost of
living, the increasing agitation.
among employers for open shops"
the inability of the conservative
leaders to secure concessions from
congress and other legislative bodies
in the shape of eight-hour and anti
injunction laws, and similar causes.
have created widespread discussion
in the ranks.
Perhaps the most conspiciOus and
persistent, and at the same time the
most consistent advocate of the
conservative policy has been the
present head of the American Fed
GRAFTON of labor, MI Samuel Com
pers, who has officiated as president
for % years. A stocky Englishman
of Hebrew extraction, well in the
sos, Gompers has rightly been re-
garded as the natural leader Of what
has become known as the pure and
simple" school of thought in the
trade unions Gompers possesses
the prominent characteristics Of the
Britisher, tcnacity and perseverance,
as well as the shreWdncss and fore
sight of the Jew. His readiness as
a DICTATOR and ability as a rarliamen-
tartan are acknowledged by his most
uncompromising opponents, which
his wide experience as the active
head of the federation fer over
score of years has given him great
influence with officials of affiliated
national unions that enabled him
every form of attack ana keep his
grip upon the presidency.
The opposition that Gonpers can
not overcome is the same that has
foored many another Caescr-the
attack that comes in ones official
household. Ten years ago, at the
Denver convention, GomperS was
defeated by John Mcbride, at that
time president of the miners. p. ].
Mcclure, first vice president Of the
- tI,,,-
session, but at the following conVen-
ton in New York, through some
clever maneuvering, Gompers won
out by a nose and has held his posi-
ton ever since without serious open
opposition, while five years ago Nc
CURE was dropped out and Mr.. ].
Duncan, second vice president, was
promoted
At the New orleans convention in
1902 the Federation having grown
to a million and a half in member
ship the friends of Duncan nursed
the ambition of still higher promo
ton for their favorite Overtures
had been made to Gompers to accept
the editorship of the Federationist,
and it was delicately explained that
he was advancing in years and
should rest upon his laurels. and
that he ought to stand aside for
younger man. and so forth.
But Gompers refused to efface him
self. so long as I retain my
strength of body and mind he said,
Il intend to remain president of the
American Federation of Labor"
He was confident that he could not
be defeated. and yet there was
large majority probably 1000 votes
in n total of 10,000-that would have
gone to Duncan had he not with
drawn at the last moment.
The Boston convention of last year
was almost a repetition of the pre-
vious session, with the difference
that there were now 1900 votes on
the ground, and. although many new
delegates were present, the trading
was lively and presaged victory for
Duncan, but by a narrow margin.