The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-22
ACCUSFD-OF BEING
ENEMIES OF LABOR
Attacks Are Made on Gompers
and. Mitchell in the Fedora
tion Convention

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Feb. 21.-
Today's session of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor was the most exciting
held. During the heated debate which
followed the unexpected interjection of
the question of socialism before the
delegates. Samuel Gompers and John
Mitchell were charged with being trait
ors to the cause of labor. Those charges
and the bitter socialistic debate which
followed were caused by the introduce
ton of the following resolution by
Delegate Victor Berger, of Milwaukee:
=, Whereas. the unprecedented concentra-
tion OF wealth In the United States and
most every branch Of industry make it
obvious that capitalism will soon reach its
elimination point and will have to make
and whereas, it is evident that this na,
ton is destined to take the lead in this
grand struggle for better conditions and
higher culture; therefore, be 1t
Resolved. that we hereby recommend to
all organizations affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor to have
tneir members study the economic con-
qltions; TO have lectures upon these sub
Jects 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 advance
ment Of the proletariat.
Sustains Resolution Committee
The resolution committee reported to
tne convention that 1t recommended the
adoption OF the measure with the ex-
ception of the clause following the first
whereas" A socialist delegate asked
why the particular section should be ex-
purgated- This opened the fioodgateS of
oratory and vituperation, and the battle
was not over until an hour and fifteen
minutes after the regular time for adj
Journment- By an overwhelming vote the
delegates then passed the resolution as
recommended by the committee and ex-
pressed their confidence in John Mitchell
and Samuel Gompers
Max Hayes, who championed the social
istic doctrine, in speech so aroused the
galleries that they cheered him for sew
Gompers to threaten to clear the hall of
all visitors If demons trations of the kind
were repeated. The debate became warm
er and some of the best speeches of the
session were made. EXAMINATIONS and re-
examinations fiew thick and fast Feeling
ran so high that. John Mitchell stated
that unless Delegate Victor Berger of
Milwaukee, was able to prove his state
ment that he CMitchelD had been a
traitor to the workingman, he must stand
before the eyes of all present convicted
liar. Then motion was made to sus-
pend the rules and allow President Comp
ers and John Mitchell an opportunity to
defend themselves. The trouble arose
over printed slip distributed TO some
delegates which charged Messrs. Gompers
and Mitchell with dining with President
Eliot of Harvard. The article said the
place at which the meal was eaten was an
unfair house and that President Eliot was
the man who called the s'scab'' a hero
1t bore the heading: Are They Traitors:''
Tho ronlv Of D,.oS;dax+ ryo...o~-
most bitter and impassioned. and
the feeling among the delegates
was tense. He admitted the at
tendance upon the dinner but denied ev-
cry inference drawn therefrom, and de-
clared that as long as he was connected
with the labor movement he would fight
against politics being mixed with union
ism.
Mr.. 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 workingmen.
The fight between the Chicago Fedora
ton of Labor and the national organiza-
tion brought about by the question of
trade autonomy was partially settled by
permitting Delegate William Schardt
president of the Chicago Federation of
Labor. to have seat and voice in the
convention. and directing President Com
pers to go to Chicago within thirty days
and endeavor to settle the dispute between
the two big organizations. II this could
not be effected it was the sense of the
convention that the Chicago body be per-
manently suspended from the American
Federation of Labor
Another action of far-reaching impor-
tance was that taken on the report of
a special committee on the demand by
fhsa f.aI
day. The convention voted unanimously
to indorse the demand and pledged itself
to aid the movement financially by levy
ing an assessment on each of the MEM
bers II such course should become nee
essary. The Typographical union has set
Jan. 1. 1906. as the time when the eight
hour day viii be demanded by their Or
ganization.
Would Keep Out Japs
The convention decided to petition con-
gress for the exclusion OF Japanese It
also went on record as being unanimously
in favor OF the universal adoption of
the advisory initiative and the advisory
referendums 1t was decided to secure
signed petition to be presented TO con-
gress on this question. Every union man
in the country will be given an oppor-
tunity to sign this. 1t was decided to
question all legislative and congressional
candidates upon their stand on the ques-
tfon that labor might know where to place
its support. The following sentiments re-
garding the Colorado situation were in
troduced by Delegate Victor Berger:
Resolved, That the twenty fourth con-
vention OF the American Federation Of
Labor hereby expresses its qualification
over the defeat OF that capitalist tyrant,
Gov. Peabody. of Colorado;
Resolved That the American Federation
of Labor hereby pledges its moral and
financial support to the Western Fedora
gang OF criminals, the so-called Citizens
Alliance of Cripple Creek District, to JUS
tice.
A resolution to substitute the indus
trial system for the system Of trade au-
tonomy now In existence. in labor organ
izations was adopted. The vote stood 113