Arizona republican., 1904-11-23
UP PEACE
A Better Understanding
 Among Labor Delegates
The Time of the Federation Conven- tiOn Yesterday Devoted to Questions Of Trade Jurisdiction.

San Francisco Calf, ov. 22.-Dis- putes regarding trade jurisdiction oc- cupied most of the time of the Amer ican Federation cf Labor in today's session. There was ripple of yes terday's exciting proceedings when. on the opening of the session. two resolutions, introduced by Delegate Victor Berger, leader of the socialists. were presented for consideration. One of these provides for the abolishment of the militia, as it now exists in the United States and the substitution of the Swiss system. The convention overwhelmingly defeated the measure. The second resolution asked the feder- atiOn to go on record as being in fa- vor of petitioning congress to pass a bill providing for an old age pension for workingmen. This measure was also defeated.
 The convention accorded Delegate Victor Berger the floor under suz- pension of the rules that he might make statement regarding the as- persicns cast by the contents of a printed slip from his newspaper office upon Samuel Gompers and John Nit chel. Healing balm was poured on the wounds when MT. Berger stated that not only did he deny the author ship of the contents. inferring that Samuel Gompers and John Mitchell had been traitors to the cause of la Dor. but that he knew nothing about l the charges and was not in sympathy
 with the same and regretted the incl dent that had caused the i'll feeling of yesterday.
 John Mitchell thereupon arose and asked to have stricken from the rec ords the statements made by him to the effect that unless Mir. Berger prov ed his charges, he must stand before the convention as a liar. The conven- tion gave it's unanimous consent to this procedure amid applause and SO ended the bitterest controversy tha.
 has yet been on the floor of the con vention.
 A great number of resolutions re- garding trade jurisdiction were intro duced and debated but in few in stances were agreements reached. The most Bitter fight was waged over differences between the boiler
 makers and structural iron workers. The matter was finally compromised
 A score of other disputes between crafts were referred to the legislative council for final adjustment. The dis putes in each instance pertained to defining the classifications Of occupa- tions. Wood workers and painters | both claimed jurisdiction over finish CTS. but the grievance committee sided with the wood workers. The commit tee was Overruled by a vote of the con vention.
 In like manner, upholsterers were given Jurisdiction over carpet layers and mattress makers and blacksmiths over men of their craft working with
 wagon makers. It is believed that these trade jurisdiction disputes will occupy most of the time of the re- mainder of the session.
 In the matter of the boycott of New Orleans labor paper by the New Orleans central labor body, the con ventiOn went on record as being strongly opposed to any abridgement of the freedom Of the press and voted that unless the boycott was raised the charter of the central body would be revoked.
 Tomorrow the delegates will take a trip up San Francisco bay and visit Mare Island navy yard. where they will be given an opportunity to see the plant in operation and visit the dis mantied Russian cruiser Lena. At night, a mass meeting will be held. at which President Gompers, John Nit chen and other leaders will speak.