The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-22
.GOMPERS WINNER
AGAINST RADICALS
APPEALS TO SYMPATHY FAIL TO
SHAKE DELEGATES.
Application for Financial Support for
Striking Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers in East Leads to Attack on.
Integrity of Executive Council
Which Convention Fails to Support.

Conservatism, as represented by
Samuel Gompers and the executive
council of the American Federation Of
Labor, has won another victory over
radicalism on the floor Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor convention.
AS a result, the striking bridge and
structural iron workers of the east
must continue their strike without the
official financial support Of the feder-}
alton. High flown oratory and appeals
to the sympathy of the delegates for
against 'the most powerful combina-
ton of capital labor organization has
ever been called upon to COMBAT
failed yesterday to move the delegates
from their allegiance to the federation
leaders, and the resolution calling for
the financial and moral aid of the fed.
Grafton was referred to the executive
council for action.
AS the strike of the bridge and
structural iron workers was Endorsed at
the San Francisco convention of 1905
it is probable that the executive coun-
Gil will aid the iron workers financially,
but the effort to place, the convention
on record as ordering an assessment for
the benefit of the strikers resulted in
failure. -
Hot Debate INDUCED In. IS
The debate precipitated as the re-,
suit of the recommendation of the reso-
lutions committee to refer the matter
to the, executive council was one Of the
most spirited Of the convention. Ere
see it pigeon holed,'' shouted dele;
gate, and Frank M. Ryan, representing
tho bridge and structural iron workers,
took the floor in an eloquent plea for
immediate action. eve are engaged
in fight against the biggest consoli.
dation of capital in the country he
said. "This connection should not de-
lay in coming to the aid of the men
who are fighting for its principles. I
tell you, a structural iron man can It do
his work on top with scab work
man beneath. It means a spill. Let
the convention come to our aid and let
it be done immediately
Delegate James Mccarthy pleaded
for the widows and orphans of the
strikers, but his peroration in which he
stated that man could go into a sa-
loon and get free lunch while wom-
an couldn It, seemed to strike the dele
gates as Irrelevant and there was a
slight demonstration of disapproval as
he finished.
Council Is Defended. -.
Slurs at. the executive council had
had their effect, and Delegate James
roast the delegates who criticized rdO the he
governing body. "Cut out this gall
1ery play!'' he shouted. cit is tom
myrot to say that the work referred to
the executive council is pigeonholed,
and l for one will not stand for it.
What we want is mature deliberation,
and you are getting it from the execu-
tive council. If this confederation did
as all the delegates asked, we would
soon have no convention. I resent in
situations against the executive coun-
. James Duncan, vice president Of the
federation, and James Lynch, president
OF the International Typographical
union, reminded the delegates Of the
other requests which had come before
the convention for financial assistance,
and argued for due deliberation. Dele
gate Walker was not satisfied, however,
and advised the establishment of sys-.
tematic system to aid stirling unions.
President Gompers took a hand in the
discussion and asked pertinent ques-
tions of Delegate Walker and Delegate
Ryan. Inquiry finally developed the
fact that there were 5000 bridge and
structural iron workers on strike-a
third OF the membership OF the organi-
cation. The entry of President Com
pers In the discussion seemed to have
its effect on the delegates and the re-,
port OF the committee was adopted with
several dissenting votes. II
Leaders Take Sides. -.
For time yesterday it looked like
split among the leaders of the con-
vention. The subject under discussion
was the granting Of license to the
Steamftters' association, action taken
by the executive council which was
strenuously objected to by the plumb
ers. who declared that the steamftters
should be considered branch of the
plumbers organization. In his argu-
ment against the action of the execu-
tive council, Delegate Kennedy of the
plumbers quoted John Mitchell in up
holding his contention, and when the
matter came to vote Mr.. Mitchell
voted with the minority, disappearing
the action Of the executive committee.
He did not speak in favor of his posi-
tion, however, and the council was.
Endorsed by a vote Of $50 to 49, This
was the only occasion in the conven-
tion where there has been any appar-
ent lack of harmony between the lead
ers of the federation.
The convention, after discussion,
called on the executive council to en-