The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-17
ASSA|LS MINERS
PRESIDENT GOMPERS CHARGES
MOVER WITH INGRATlTUDE.
AMERICAN FEDERATION AID
Charges Managers With Misuse Of
Money Contributed to Western
Federation Of Miners.-Gompers
Wants an Accounting.

wants an Accounting.
PittSburg-Old city hall was
crowded when President Samuel Com
pers called the American Federation
OF Labor to order for the opening OF
the silver anniversary of the organiza-
ton All the delegates representing
every state in the union Canada and
other foreign countries We're in their
seals and all available space outside
was utilized by visitors.
President Gompers presented his
annual report, which says of western
conditions:
t'The Western Federation of Miners
has not alone been ungratcful TO the
trade unions and the American Fed .
GRAFTON of Labor. but its officers have
taken the position os bitter hostility
toward us. From the then meager
funds the Boston convention. as an
expression of good will, appropriated
$1,000. and later. by authority of the
executive council, drafted and issued
an appeal to all the trade unions,
trade unionists and friends. through
out the country, for financial assist
ance to be transmitted directly to
Secretary Meyer.
Four appeal for financial aid and
the financial contributions of our
trade unionists were made for the
specific purpose and with the clear
understanding that they should be de-
voted particularly to the legal defense
of the rights of the men to test the
legal and constitutional questions in
volyed. not only before the courts of
Colorado, but, if necessary, the high
est tribunal OF our country, the
TY-it
purpose was plainly stated in our ap-
peal that it was so regarded by the
officers Of the Western Federation of
Miners is clearly manifeN by the edi-
torial in the miners official journal in
which our appeal was republished
with the caption. American Fedora.
| tion of Labor to the Rescue. and
| also by Mr.. Meyers letter to me OF
| October 90, 1904. published on page
| eigh,y-one of the official printed pro.
| ceedings of our San Francisco con
| venion.
I'm to this moment there is not
| s., .tssila~of evidence indicating the
fultillment of, the expressed intention
| TO carry any of the cases involved TO
the higher tribunals.
american trade unioniSts and their
| friends have reason to complain and
feel keenly disappointed that thei:
contributions of thousands upon
thousands of dollars have not only
failed to be used for the purpose for
which they were contributed (the i'm
/ pOrtant questions involved left hang.
ing in the BALANCED. but as asserted
by many and not denied. that these
funds have been perverted from their
proper source and diverted to 'financ
| ing hostile movement, a move
ment having for its avowed purpose
the destruction of the trade unions.
the organizations and men which fur
nished the funds. In the light OF
what has transpired, the last sentence
quoted of Mr.. Meyers letter must APP
pear to all the purest irony. He says:
1 think, however. that yourself and
colleagues will be satisfied with our
work before we are through
We have the right to insist that
the Western Federation of Miners
shall prosecute, and if necessary, ap-
| peal the cases to the highest court OF
last resort. or give an accounting OF
| the disposition of the moneys con-
J tributed.
! From various sources complaints
reach us asserting and insnuating
lhat tne 1undS received by the
| Western Federation of Miners have
been perverted to other purposes than
that for which they were contributed,
| quite apart from the instance to
which ! have already referred.
In the interest of our fellow work
ers. because of the good name of or
ganized labor which is involved, and
still further. so that no injustice may
be done any organization, friendly Or
otherwise, repeat, we have the right
| to insist upon an accounting.
| We have nothing but the most
| friendly. feeling for and interest in
the metalliferous miners and their
| splendid manhood; We have nothing
| but the kindest and most fraternal re-
| gard for the welfare of their organza-
| ton. the Western Federation OF
Miners; but we have the right to as
sert that those entrusted with its af-
fairs shall not render. impotent or dis
| member the metalliferous miners or
| ganization, or make it odious to the
conscience of the union men OF
| America