The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-11-25
G0MPERs WILL SUCCEED
HIMSELF As PRESIDENT
The Grand Old Man of the La
Dor Movement Has Easy
Shedding at Pittsburg.
Several Changes in Executive
Council Being Strongly Dis
cussed by Delegates.

hours Of the convention OF the Amer
lean Federation of Labor now being
held In this city. The policy Of the
Federation for the year has been fully
determined. The most important res
olutions have been disposed OF, and
the delegates are busily engaged clean
ing up the business.
Election Of officers Is the main topic
of discussion. Samuel Gompers will
be elected president without oppost-
ton. This will also be true about
secretary Frank Morrison. That there
will be at least two bitter fights for
representation on the Executive Coun-
Gil Is foregone conclusion. The next
convention will meet in Canada.
The Federation has maintained 1t
as the one thing which has made the
line between the United States and
Canada a merely imaginary one. All
Of the A. F. Of L. affiliated unions
are International bodies with locals
In bot hcountries. Canadians, how
ever have never secured a convention
of the Federation and are making
strong demand. They point out that
if the line between the two countries
is really imaginary there should be
no objection to the convention going
over into Canada. From the spirit
manifested among the delegates in
the first two days Of the convention
here it is practically assured that
Canada will be the next meeting place.
The Next Convention.
In any event, the convention will
meet in the North. That has been
decided upon. Toronto, Ont, and
Montreal, Que, are strong probabili-
ties, and the former is favorite. Some
Canadian delegates want the conven-
ton to go to Northwest Canada. but
Winnipeg, the largest city in that Sec
tion, is not believed capable Of hand
ling the big meeting.
Thomas l. Kidd, Third Vice-Presi-
dent Of the Federation, and w. ].
Spencer, Eighth Vice-President, may
be replaced by new men during the
present convention. Kidd recently re-
signed his position as Secretary
Treasurer of the Amalgamated Wool
workers. 1t Is said he is travelling on
the road for private concern. This
assertion is denied by friends who ex-
pect to vote for him. In other circles
it is said Kidd intends to resign.
However, caucasinG on the election,
began last night. One meeting, 1t is
known, was held and some names have
been advanced for places on the board.
w. D. Mahon, President of the
street railway men, is prominently
mentioned for Vice-Pres1dency. Ma
hon has been q prominent labor figure
for years. Joseph Valentine, President
OF the Iron Molders, and William D.
Huber. President of the Carpenters,
also are mentione dior vice presiden-
cies. Mahon and Huber represent
powerful organizations, numerically
and financially, and could make a
strong fight If they went into the field
of candidates.
that any tangible opposition to Presi-
dent Gompers or Secretary Morrison
will develop in the convention. The
fight between the Observation-Disclosures
advocating the organization Of work.
ingpen by industries-and the trade
autonomists- want every man In
the trad eof his respective craft
has dwindled.
Well Up With Business.
Yesterdays session Of the conven-
tion showed the body far ahead. of
previous meetings In the volume of
business disposed Of. Much Of the day
was given over to receiving commit
tee reports on resolutions, the retail
clerks winning the only fight on these.
Jurisdiction disputes, the biggest
questions In American Federation Of
Labor conventions, will be the issue
this, as in other years.
Brewery workers and stationary en-
gineers an dfiremen have the old sore
to reopen The difference from past
years is that the engineers and fire.
men agree to abide by any arbitration
and the brewery workers have declin-
ed. There are innumerable smaller
jurisdiction disputes pending.
There is strong probability Of the
United Brotherhood Of Carpenters and
Joiners and the Amalgamated Wood
workers getting together on a work.
both organizations is at work now
drafting working settlement, by
which the cabinet makers and car
penters, who are the center Of inter-
est in the bitterest Of trade union
Jurisdiction disputes, may get together.
Bound by Instructions.
One thing against an agreement i'm
medlately is that both organizations
are bound by instructions from their
unions. Carpenters, It, is said, are in
structed to look favorably upon the
proposition Of the woodworkers becom-
ing amalgamated with the carpenters.
On the other hand the woodworkers
are believed to be instructed to accept
any reasonable plan Of settlement ex-
cept analgamation. Regardless of
how the delegates act final action Is
not probable until the propositions are
submitted to the membership Of the
interested organizations.
C. P. Shea, tn enoted leader Of the
teamsters of Chicago, arrived in Pitts
burg yesterday. He DIDN'T intend to
come. 1t was said last night, until
probabilities Of a fight on measures
he is interested in became apparent.
Continued ON Pa8e fou1.)