Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-24
Again Elected President of the
American Federation.
COLD SHOUL DER FOR TAFT
Meeting Remembers His Famous In.
junction Case.
BRANCH FOR BUILDING TRADES
Invitation Issued for the AfRliation
Of the Western Federation Of
Miners.

NORFOLK. Va. November 2s.-The
American Federation of LabdY morally
went on record against the nomination
Of Secretary of War William H. Taft for
the presidency, declaring him to be one
of the federal judges who had scattered
the granting of injunctfons broadcast
over the country.
A resolution on the subject was intro
duced. but was referred to Mr.. Gompers
with the request that the question Of
nominating Mr. Taft for the presidency
be agitated In the American Federation
ist, the official organ Of the Federation
of Labor.
The committee did not reject the reso-
luton. but 1t did not consider the conven-
ton the place to handle the subject, so 1t
was decided that it could be weIf left to
President Gompers, whose sentiments on
this subject are well known.
NORFOLK, Va, November 23-The
American Federation of Labor. indorsing
the every act Of word and pen of their
president Samuel Gompers, and rebuking
with all force at the command of the Eng
fish language those who have sought to
malign his personal character or Official
conduct. this afternoon unanimously re-
elected Mr.. Gompers to Office for another
ton was one of great enthusiasm. and
Mr.. Gompers, when he came forth to de-
liver his speech of acceptance. was re-
ceived with other great eutbursts of ap-
plause. The election was made notable
by reason of the fact that Victor L.
Berger of Milwaukee, the socalistic lead
er, who has at many previous conventions
opposed Mr.. Gompers and who. came to
this convention with the same announced
intention, was found as the one to make
President Gompers' reelection unanimous
Immediately following the nominating
speech made by James J.. Dreamer of
Richmond, Va, Socialist Leader Berger.
who. at the close some days ago of Mr..
Gompers' narration of the alleged attempt
to bribe him to turn traitor to the cause
Of organized labor. announced he would
be the one to this year make President
Gompers' reelection unanimous. was at
once upon his feet to make good" as he
put 1t. II have always believed and still
believe" declared MIR. Berger. in labor
movement with two arms-an economic
am, which is the trade union. and polit-
ical arm, which Is the socialistic party.
That is the reason why I and the rest Of
us socialists have been in opposition to
Samuel Gompers and the executive coun-
Gil. Not because we doubt their hon
esty to the labor movement, because we
do not doubt that But whatever DIFF
ferences the socialists and the executive
council may have had and still have
sink into insignificance with the question
at issue. The manufacturers associa-
ton wants to put the unions out of busi-
ness. wants to smash one Of the arms of
the labor movement.
I'VE will stand and fall in the defense
Of the trades unions. and we stand today
a solid phalanx against the common enc
my"
Mr.. Berger received great cheers from
Other Officers Elected.
Other officers Of the federation were
elected as follows: First vice president,
James Duncan. Quincy. Mass; second
vice president. John Mitchell Indianapo-
lis. Ind: third vice president. James
O'Conneil, Washington. D. c.; fifth vice
president. D. A. Hayes. Philadelphia;
sixth vice president, Daniel J. Keefe. De-
troit, Mich: seventh vice president, Will
liam D. Huber. Indianapolis: eighth vice
president. Joseph F. Valentine. Gincin-
natl: treasurer. John B. Lennon. Bloom
ington. ILL.,: secretary, Frank Morrison,
Washington. d. G..
Andrew Furuseth Of San Francisco.
Cal. representing the rSeamen's Union,
and James J. Dreamer Of Richmond, Va,
representing the chinists.
were elected fraterna1 delegates to the
British trades and labor congress- which
meets in September next.
Urged for Germany.
A movement was started on the door to
have President Gompers named as a spe-
cial delegate to the British and German
trades congresses, but Mr. Gompers said
next year being presidential year and
also the year for the election Of con-
gressmen and the governors Of many
states his absence from the United States
even for a short period during the 1908
campaign might be sought by the enemies
of labor to be made a matter OF great
significance" and he said he would pre-
fer to wait until 1909. when, II it was the
pleasure of the convention, he would be
glad to go to England and Germany.
With Fraternal Delegate Hodge. m zmher
of parliament from England. in the chair.
declared to be the desires of the conven-
ton. With MFR. Hodge still in the chair
Hugh Franey Of Scranton, Pa. represent
ing the sheet metal workers, was unani-
mously chosen as fraternal delegate to
the Canadian trades and labor congress.
Denver was selected as the convention
city in 1903, over Detroit and Tampa, Fla.
Toronto withdrew and supported Denver,
notice being given. however. by prom nent
leaders that Toronto would ask for the
convention In 1909.
The convention then resumed the con-
sideratfon OF raft of business that will
likely keep 1t in session until almost day
break Sunday morning.
One Cent Assessment.
The federation today called for the levy
of single one-cent per capita asse ssment
TO aid the trades unions of Los Angeles.
Cal. and all other unions in different Sec
tons of the country that may need similar
assistance. The federation called upon
all international unions to send organizers
to Los Angeles when needed.
claring that the Supreme Court Of the
United States alone shall have authority
to declare federal laws unconstitutional!
and the supreme courts of states to de-
clare state laws unconstitutional. no law
to be declared unconstitutional except by
unanimous vote of said courts. The cleo
tons by the people of all Judges, state and
federal. for four-year terms. with the
right OF reelection, was also demanded.
The convention, after four hours heated
debate over the long jurisdictfonal dispute
between the Glass Bottle Blowers Asso-
citation and the Flint Glass Workers
Union defeated a resolution introduced by