The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-22
GOmpars and Mitchell Charged
 with Treason to Labor
HAVE IMPASSIONED DEBATE
Both Labor Leaders Make Speeches Amid Scene of Greatest Excite ment and Tense Feeling
 Among the Delegates.

San Francisco. November 21.-Today's session of the American Federation of Labor was the most exciting held. Dur ing the heated debate which followed the unexpected interjection of the question of socialism before the delegates President Gompers and John Mitchell were eharg- ed with being traitors to the cause of labor. These charges and the bitter so- eialistic debate which followed were caused by the introduction of the follow ing resolution by Delegate Victor Berger of Milwaukee,:
 Whereas, The unprecedented concen- tration of wealth in the United States and the rapid development of the trusts in almost every branch of industry make it obvious that capitalism will soon reach it's eliminating point, and will have to make room for aonther phase of civiliza- tion, and
 Whereas, It is evident that this na- tion is destined to take the lead in this grand struggle for better conditions and higher culture; therefore, be tt
 Resolved That we hereby recommend to all organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor to have their members study the economic con- ditions; to have lectures upon these sub jects in their lodge rooms at home and at meetings set apart for this purpose and tc do everything in their power for the enlightenment and intellectual advance ment of the proletarist"
 Warm Debate Precipitated.
 The resolutions committee reported to the convention that 1t recommended the adoption of the measure with the ex- ception of the claim following the first whereas A socialist delegate arose and asked that this particular section should Le expurged This opened the flood gates cf oratory and vituperation, and the bat tie was not over until an hour and fifteen minutes after the regular time for ad- 1ournment. By an overwhelming vote the delegates then passed the resolution as recommended by the committed and ex- pressed their confidence in John Mitchell and Samuel Gompers.
 Max Hays who championed the socialist doctrine in a speech, so aroused the gal leries that they cheered him for several minutes. This caused President Gompers to threaten to clear the hall of all visitors if demonstrations of the kind were re- peated. The debate waxed warmer and some of the best speeches were made during it's course. Criminations and re- criminations flew thick and fast. Feel ing run so high that John Mitchell rose in the convention and stated that unless Delegate Victor Berger of Milwaukee was able to prove his statement that he (MitchelD had -een traitor to the work ing man, he must stand before the eyes of all persons convicted liar. Then a motion was made to suspend the rules and allow President Gompers and John Mitchell an opportunity to defend them selves. The trouble arose over a printed slip distributed to some delegates which charged MT. Gompers and MT. Mitchell with dining with President Eliot of Har- yard. The article in question said that the place In which the meal was eaten O.. was the man who called the "scab" hero. It bore the heading Are They Traitors?"
 Bitter and Impassioned Speech.
 The reply of President Gompers was most bitter and impassioned and the feel ing among the delegates was tense He admitted the attendance upon the dinner but denied every inference drawn there from, and declared that as long as he was connected with the labor movement. he would fight against politics being mix ed with unionism.
 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 to any act of his which might be interpreted as against the interests of the working man. An action of far-reaching importance was that taken on the report of a special committee on the demand by the 1nterna- tional Typographical Union for an eight hour day. The convention voted unani mously to endorse the demand and pledged itself to assist the movement fin- ancially by ,evying an assessment on each of the members If such course should become necessary. The Typographical union has set January, 1906 as the time when the eight-hour day will be demand ed by their organization.