The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-11-22
ocialism Causes Hot and I'm
passioned Debate at Fedora.
tion OF Labor Convention
MITCHELL CALLS One
MAN CONVICTED LIAR
sPEEcH-coNvENTioN Ex.
PRESSES CONFIDENCE
IN BOTH LEADERS
PRINTERS DE.
MANp FOR
e.HouR
DAY ENDORSED.

by tAe ASSOCldteu fTebS.
San Francisco. Nov. 2l.--Today's
Gession of the American Federation
Of Labor was the most exciting held.
During heated debate which follow
ed the unexpected interjection Of the
question of socialism before the del
egates, Samuel Gompers and Joht
Mitchell were charged with being
traitors to the cause of labor.
Those charges and the bitter so
cialistic debate which followed were
caused by the Introduction of the
following resolution by Delegate Vic
tor Berger of Milwaukee,:
Whereas. Unprecedented concen
tration OF wealth in tho United States
and the rapid development of trusts
In almost every branch of industry
make IL obvious that capitalism will
soon reach It's elimination point and
will have to make room for another
phase of civilization, and,
Whereas, IL is evident that this
nation is destined to take the lead in
this grand struggle for better condi-
tion and higher culture; therefore,
Resolved. That We hereby recon-
mend to all organizations affiliated
with the American Federation Of La
Dor to have their members study eco
nomic conditions; 10 have lectures
upon these subjects in their lodge
rooms, homes ana 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 1t 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 fioodgates OF oratory
and vituperation, and the battle was
not over until an hour and fifteen
minutes after regular time of ad
iournment 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
EocIalistic doctrine, in a speech so
sInused the galleries that they cheer
ed him for several minutes. This
caused Gompers TO threaten TO clear
the hall of all visitors IL 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 and
fast.
John Mitchell Gets Hot
Feeling ran so high that John
Mitchell arose 10 the convention and
stated that unless Delegate Berger of
Milwaukee. was able to prove his
statement that he (Mitchellb had
been a traitor TO the workingman. he
must stand before the eyes of all
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
dining with President Eliot of Har-
vssa. The article in question said
the place at which the meal was eat
en- was an unfair house and Eliot
was the man who called the "scab"
a hero. 1t bore the heading: Are
They Traitors?"
Gompers Grows Bitter.
The reply of Gompers was most
bitter and impassioned. and feeling
among delegates was tense He ad-
mitted attendance upon the dinner,
but denied every inference drawn
therfrom and declared that as long as
he was connected with the labor
movement ne would fight against poll
itics being mixed with unionism.
Mitchell Speaks Quietly.
John Mitchell made q quiet address
but was accorded closest attention.
He was loudly appIauded 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 fight between the Chicago Fed
Grafton Of Labor and the national or