Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-11-26
LABOR DELEGATES
IN WARM DEBATE
Unexpected Interjection Of Question
Of Socialism Into Convention.
GRAVE CHARGES WERE MADE
Samuel Gompers and John Mitchell
Charged With Being Traitors to
tho Cause of Labor BY an Adj
vOcate of SOCIALISM,.

San Francisco, Nov. 22.-Monday' 3
session Of the American Federation of
Labor was The nest exciting yet held.
During the heated debate, which was
followed by the unexpected interjec-
tion Of the question Of socialism before
the delegates, Samuel Gompers and
John Mitchell were charged with being
traitors to the cause of labor Those
charges and the bitter socialistic de,
bate which followed were caused by
the introduction Of the following res
olution by Delegate Victor Berger, Of
Milwaukee:
Whereas, The unprecedented con-
centration Of wealth in the United
States and the rapid developments Of
trusts in almost every branch of in
dustry make 1t obvious that capitalism
will soon reach Its elimination point.
and will have to make room for anoth-
er phase of civilization; and,
Whereas, 1t is evident that this
nation is destined to take the lead in
this grand struggle for better condi-
tions and higher culture; therefore, be
il
Resolved, That we hereby recon-
mend to all organizations affiliated
with the American Federation of La
Dor TO have their members study the
economic conditions; to have lectures
upon these subjects in their lodge.
homes and in meetings set apart for
this purpose, and to do everything in
their power for the enlightenment and
intellectual advancement of the pro-
letariat."
The resolution committee reported
to the convention that it recommend
ed the adoption of the measure with
the exception of the clause following
the first whereas"
FIood-Gates of Oratory Opened.
A socialist delegate arose, and asked
why the particular section should be
expurgated. This opened the flood
gates of oratory and vituperatlon, and
the battle was not over until an hour
and fifteen minutes after the regular
time for adjournment. BY an over
whelmlng vote the delegates then
passed the resolution as recommended
by the committee. and expressed their
confidence in John Mitchell and Sam
uel Gompers.
Max Hayes, who championed the So
ciallstic doctrine, In a speech so
aroused the galleries that they
cheered him for several minutes. This
caused President Gompers to threaten
to clear the hall of all visitors If dem
onstrations of the kind we're repeated.
The debate became warmer, and some
of the best speeches of the session
we're made during Its course. Grim
nations and recriminations flew thick
and fast Feeling ran so high that
John Mitchell arose In the convention
and stated that unless Delegate Victor
Berger, Of Milwaukee, was able to
prove his statement that he (MitchelD
had been a traitor to the workingman.
he must stand before the eyes of all
present convicted liar. Then a mo-
tlon was made to suspend the rules
and allow President Gompers and John
Mitchell an opportunity to defend
themselves.
How the Trouble Arose.
The trouble arose over a printed
slip distributed to some delegates,
which charged Mr. Gompers and Mr..
Mitchell with dining with President
Eliot of Harvard. The article in Ques-
tion said that the place at which the
meal was eaten was an unfair house,
and that President Eliot was the man
who called the 'scab' hero. 1t bore
a heading, Are they traitors?"
The reply of President Gompers was
most bitter and lmpassioned, and the
feeling among the delegates was tense.
He admitted the attendance upon the
dinner, but denied every inference
drawn therefrom, and declared that as
long as he was connected with the la
Dor movement he would fight against
politics being mixed with unionism.
Mr.. Mitchell made a quiet address,
but was accorded the closest attention.
He was loudly applauded when he said
that he defed any man to point to any
act Of his which might be interpreted
as against the interests of the work.
ingmen.
The fight between the Chicago Fed
Grafton of Labor and the national or
ganization brought about by the ques-
ton of trade autonomy, was partially
settled by permitting Delegate William
Schardt, president Of the Chicago Fed
Grafton of Labor to have seat and
voice in the present convention, and
President Gompers to go to
within thirty days and en-
deavor to settle the dispute existing
between the two big organizations.
OmcinI Figures in Kansas.
Topeka, Kas., Nov. 22.-The official
figures on the result of the Kansas