Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-11-25
TALK SOCIALISM
IN GREAT LABOR CONVENTION

ultra.9oeiaiists 0snounee Mitchell and
0ompers. - soelalistie Resolutions
Voted Down and oompers and
Mitchell Sustained.
San Francisco, Nov. 22.-From the
standpoint OF the unexpected and sen
sational. yesterdays session OF the
American Federation OF Labor was the
most exciting one yet had.
During the heated debate which fol.
lowed the unexpected interjection OF
the question OF Socialism before the
delegates. Samuel Gompers and John
Mitchell were charged with being trai'
tors to tho cause OF labor.
These charges. and the bitter Social
istic debate which followed were
caused by the Introduction OF tho fol-
lowing resolution 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 1t obvious that capital
ism will soon reach Its culminntion
point and will have to mako room for
another phase OF civilization; and
Whereas. II is evident that this ma
ton Is destined to take the lead In this
and higher culture; therefore. be II
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 lodges.
homes and nj meetings set apart Tor
this purpose. and to do everything In
their power for the enlightenment and
Intellectual advancement OF the prole-
tarint."
Tho resolutions committee reported
to the convention that II recommended
the adoption OF the clause following
tho first ''whcr,as" A Socialist dele
cato arose and asked why tho particu.
lnr section be expurgntcd.
This opened the noodgntcs Of ora
tory and vituperation and tho battle
was not over until m hour and fifteen
minutes after the regular time for ad-
tournament. By an overwhelming vote
tho delegates then passed the rcsolu-
ton as recommended by tho committee
md expressed their confidence In John
Mitchell and Samuel Gompcrs.
Max Hayes. who championcd the So
clniist doctrine In speech. 10 aroused
tho galleries that they chccrcd him
for several minutes.
This caused President Gompcrs to
threaten to clear tho hall & nil visit.
ors II demonstrations OF tho kind wcrc
repeated. Tho debate became warmer
and somo Of tho best speeches Of the
session were made during Its course.
EXAMINATIONS and rccr!minntions now
thick and fast.
Feeling ran so high that John Mitch
ell rose In tho convention and stated
tina, unless Delegate Victor Berger OF
Milwaukee was able to prove his stntc-
mcnt that hc tMItchclD had been q
traitor to the workingman. hc must
stand before tho eyes OF nil present
convicted liar.
Then n motion was made to suspend
tho rules md allow President Gompcn
md John Mitchell m opportunity to
defend themselves.
Tho trouble arose over printed slip
distributed to somo delegates. which
charged MIR. Gompcrs and Mr.. Mitchell
with dining with President Eliot OF
Harvard. The article In question said
tho place Mt which tho meal wns eaten
was nm unfair house and that President
Eliot was tho man who called the
"scab' hero. II bore tho heading.
Arc They Traitors?"
The reply Of President Gompcrs was
most bitter and impnssioncd and tho
feeling among tho delegates was tense.
He admitted the attendance upon tho
dinner. but denied every Inference
drawn thcrcfrom and declared that na
long ns he was connected with the Ia
Dor movement hc would fight against
politics being mixed with unionism.
Mr.. Mitchell made quiet address.
but was accorded the closest attention.
Hc was loudly nppiaudcd when he said
that he deflcd any man to point to any
act Of his which might be interpreted
M against tho interests Of the work
ingman.