The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-23
TRAITOR, He SAYS
Liar, Replies John Nit
cheII Holly.
The Question of Socialism Stirs the
Federation to Excitement. The
Federation Expresses Conf
dence in its Leaders.
(By the Associated Press.)

San Francisco, Calf, Nov. 21.-To-
days session of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor was most exciting.
lowed the unexpected intersection or
the question of socialism before the
delegates Samuel Gompers and John
Mitchell were charged with being trail
tors to the cause of labor. These
charges and bitter socialiSt1c debate
which followed were caused by the liz
PRODUCTION of the following resolution
by Delegate Victor Berger, of Mil
waukee:
whereas, the unprecedented con-
centration of wealth in the United
States and the rapid development OF
the trusts in almost every branch or
industry make it obvious that CAPT.
talism will soon reach its culmina-
ton point and will have to make room
for another phase of civilization: and
Whereas. it is evident that this ma
ton is destined to take the lead in
this grand struggle for better condi-
lions and higher culture therefore, be
it
Resolved, that we hereby recon-
mend to all organizations affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor to
have their members study the eco
nomic conditions: to have lectures
upon these subjects in their lodge
room. homes and in meetings set apart
for this purpose and to do everything
in their power for the enlightenment
and intellectual advancement OF the
proletariat."
The resolutions committee reported
to the convention that it recommend
ed the adoption of the measure with
the exception of the clause following
the first, Whereas A socialist del
egate arose and asked why the par
ticular section should be eXpunged.
This opened the flood gates of oratory
and vituperation.
Feeling ran SO high that John Nit
chell rose in the-convention and said
that unless Delegate Victor Berger, of
Milwaukee. was able to prove his
statement that he (MitchelD had been
"A traitor to the working man he must
stand before the eyes of all presen>
a convicted liar. Then a motion was
made to suspend the rules and allow
President Gompers and John Mitchell
an opportunity to defend themselves
The trouble was over printed Slip
distributed to some delegates which
charged GomperS and Mitchell with
dining with President Eliot, of Har-
ward University. The article in queS-
ton said s.Se place at which the mea
was eaten was an unfair house and
that President Eliot was the man who
called the "scab'' hero. 1t bore the
heading Are They TraitorS?"
The reply of President Gompers
was bitter and imprisoned, and the
feeling among the delegates was tense
He admitted attending the dinner, but
denied every inference drawn threfrom
and declared that as long as he was
connected with the labor movement
he would fight against the mixing OF
politics with unionism.
Mr.. Mitchell defed any man to point
to any act of his which might be in
terpreted as against the interests OF
the working man.
By an overwhelming vote the dele
gates, then passed the resolution as
recommended by the committee and
expressed their confidence in Mitchell
and Gompers.
The Federation to-day took UP the
annual report of President Gompers
and concurred in every recommends
ton made by Mr.. Gompers.
A measure looking to Japanese ex-
clusion was unanimously favored by
the convention after much discussion
by the Western delegates.
The measure provides for the ex-
clusion of Japanese on lines similar
to the exclusion of Chinese under the
existing law. Not only did the con-
vention vote in favor of excluding
these Mongolians from the mainland
but from every inSular possession.