The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-22
 IS EfBATED Bitter Sps .cheS by Labor
 Leaders. nITcF<.LL AND GoMPERs
Charged With Being Traitors
 to the Cause.
Their Act in Dining With President Eliot of Harvard Horrined Por-
 tiOn of Ameriean Federution of Labor.

San Francisco, Nov. 21.--Today's ses- sion of the American Federation of La- bor was the most exciting held. Du- ring the heated debate which followed the unexpected interJection of the question of socialism before the dele- gates, Samuel Gompefs and John Mitchell were charged with being traitors to the cause of labor. These charges and the bitter socialistic de- bate which followed were caused by the introduction of the following resc- lution by Delegate Victor Berger of Milwaukee,:
 "whereas, the unprecedented con- centration of wealth in the United States and the rapid development Of the trusts in almost every branch of | industry make it obvious that capital ism will soon reach it's eliminating point and will have to make room for another phase of civilization. and.
 Whereas, it Is evident that this na- ton Is destined to take the lead in this grand struggle for better condi- tions and higher culture; therefore be 1t, ~H
 Getting Into Politics. Resolved, that we hereby recom- | mend to all organizations affiliated with the American Federation of La bor to have their members study the l GCQuOullC tO nave 1CCNhECE upon these subjects in their lodge room. homes and in meetings set apart ! for this purposs, and to do everything | in their power for the enlightenment l and intellectual advancement of the 1 proletariat."
 The Resolutions Committee reported | to the convention that 1t recommended 1 the adoption of the measure with the exception of the clause following the first 'Whereas 4 Socialist delegate arose and asked why the particular section should be expurgated. This opened the fioodgates of oratory and vltuperation and the battle was not over until an hour and fifteen minutes after the regular time for adjournment. By an overwhelming vote the delegates 1 then passed the resolution as recom- mended by the Committees and express- ed their confidence in John Mitchell and Samuel Gompers.
 l Max Hayes, who championed the So- | cialistic doctrine, in a speech so arous- ed the galleries that they cheered him for several minutes.
 1 Mitchell Is fingered. This caused President Gompers to threaten to clear the hall of all visit tors if demonstrations of the kind were repeated The debate became warmer and some of the best speeches of the session were made during It's course. | Crimiuations and recriminations flew thick and fast Feeling ran so high that John Mitchell rose in the cOnven- tion and stated that unless delegate Victor Berger of Milwaukee was able
 to prove his statement that he (Mitch- ell) had been traitor to the working | man he must stand before the eyes Of all present a convicted liar.
 fn ungnana the rules and allow President Gompers and John Mitchell an opportunity to | defend themselves. The trouble arose over a printed slip distributed to some delegates which charged MT. Gompers and MT. Mitchell with dining with President Eliot of Harvard. The ar ticle in question said the place at which the meal was eaten was an un- fair house and that President Eliot was the man who called the "scao a hero. It bore the heading, "Are they Traitors?"
 The reply of President Gompers was most bitter and impassioned and the feeling among the delegates was tense. He admitted the attendance upon the dinner. but denied every in | ference drawn thRrefrom, and declared that as long as he was connected with the labor movement he would fight against politics being mixed "AIh uh- ionism.
 | Mitchell More QuIet.
 Mir. Mitchell made a quiet address, but was accorded the closest attention. He was loudly applauded when he said that he defied any man to point 10 any act of his which might be inter preted as against the interests of the workingmen.
 An action of far-reaching import | ance was that taken on the report of
 a speciai committee on the demand by
 the Typographical Union for an eight | hour day The convention voted l unanimously to endorse the demand and
 pledged itself to assist the movement
 financially by ievying an assessment on
 each of the members if such course
 should become necessary. The Typo
 graphical Union has set January. 1s06, | as the time when the eight hour day 1 will be demanded by their organization
 Niagara Falls, N. Y, and Fort Worth | Texas, invited the delegates to hold
 their next annual session in the respec- l tive cities.