The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-11-22

BY the Associated Press.
San Francisco, Nov. 2l.--- Today's
lession of the American Federation
OF Labor was the most exciting hell
During heated debate which follow
ed the unexpected interjection of the
question of socialism before the del
egates, Samuel Gompers and John
Mitchell were charged with being
traitors to the cause of labor
Those charges and the bitter 50
clalistic debate which followed were
caused by the introduction OF the
following resolution by Delegate Vic
tor Berger of Milwaukee,.
Whereas. Unprecedented conceh
tration of wealth in the United States
and the rapid development of trusts
In almost every branch Of industry
make it obvious that capitalism will
soon reach its elimination point and
will have to make room for another
phase of civilization, and
Whereas, 1t is evident that this
nation Is destined to take the lead in
this grand struggle for better condi-
ton and higher culture; therefore,
Resolved. That We hereby recon-
mend to all organizations affiliated
with the American Federation Of La.
boz TO saave their members study eco
nomic conditions; 10 have lectures
upon these subjects in their lodge
rooms. homes and in meetings set
apart for this purpose, and to do ev
erything in their power for the en-
lightenment and intellectual advance
ment of the proletariat."
How the Fight Started.
The resolution committee reported
to the convention that it recommend
cd the adoption of the measure with
the exception of the clause following
the first Whereas" A socialist del
egate arose and asked why that par
ticular section should be expurgated
This opened the floodgates of oratory
and vituperation, and the battle was
not over until an hour and fifteen
minutes after regular time of ad
i0irnment BY an overwhelming
vote the delegates then passed the
resolution as recommended by the
committee and expressed their con-
fidence in John Mitchell and Samuel
Gompers.
Fiery Socialist Speech.
Max Hayes. who championed the
socIahstic doctrine, in a speech so
,ruused the galleries that they cheer
ed him for several minutes. This
caused Gompers TO threaten 10 clear
the hall of all visitors If demonstra.
tions of this kind were repeated. The
debate became warmer and some of
the best speeches of the session were
made during its course. Ordinations
and recriminations flew thick aud
fast.
John Mitchell Gets Hot.
Feeling ran so high that John
Mitchell arose in the convention and
stated that unless Delegate Berger of
Milwaukee. was able TO prove his
statement that he (Nitchell) had
been a traitor to the workingman. he
must stand before the eyes of all a
convicted liar. Then a motion was
made to suspend the rules and allow
Gompers and Mitchell opportunity to
defend themselves.
Trouble arose over a printed slip
distributed to some delegates which
charged Gompers and Mitchell with
nf
vsaa. The article in question said
the place at which tie meal was eat
en- was an unfair house and Eliot
was the man who called the "scab"
a hero. II bore the heading: Are
They Traitors"
GomPers Grows Bitter.
Tic reply of Gompers was most
bite and impassioncd. and feeling
among delegates was tense. He ad-
mitte,l attendance upon the dinner,
but aenied every inference drawn
therfrom and declared that as long as
he was connected with the labor
movement ne would fight against pol
itics being mixed with unionism.
Mitchell Speaks Quietly.
John Mitchell made quiet address
but was accorded closest attention.
He was loudly applauded when he
said he defied any man to point to
any act of his which might be inter
preted as against the interests of
workingmen.
The Chicago Federation.
The tight between the Chicago Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor and The national or