The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-21
.GOMPERS SAYS ne
WAS OFFERED A B||R|BE
How Supposed Agent Of
Manufactures Sought
to Influence Him.
DRAMATIC SCENE
In CONVENTION
Delegates Rise Up in All Parts
Of the Hall to Confirm His
Statement as to Inter
views-Mr. Branden-
berg Gives Out
Flat Denial.

y .fI r 4 q
NORFOLK, VA November 2o.-A
American Federation of Labor this
afternoon by President Gompers. in his
speech replying to the attacks upon
him and other officers of the federation
by the Manufacturers Association.
when he told OF an alleged attempt to
bribe him at the Victoria Hotel. In
New York, In October by, a young
Prandenberg.
The latter, President Gompers said,
declared that he represented the Ma
tfonal Manufacturer Association, and
was prepared to offer him immunity
from all exposure and make him
financially secure the remainder OF his
life II he would sign certain paper
and otherwise aid in the exposure"
OF the other leaders in the American
Federation of Labor with the view to
totally destroying the influence OF or
ganiZed labor in the country.
The paper. President Gompers said.
was to purport to have been signed
when he (Gompers) was III in Little
Rock, Ark. in 1895. THIS paper, Mr..
Gompers said. he had preserved. and
while death-like stiffness prevailed II
the convention. he drew forth the
original document and read 1t. The
Delegates Sustain Him.
Mr.. Gompers, during his recital of
the alleged attempt at bribery, called
upon different delegates present who
We're with him at times in connection
with Interviews with Brandenberg. to
verify his statements. This the dele
gates. rising in their seats. did.
AT the closing of President Com
pers's speech there was a great demon
stration. even Victor l.. Berger. OF MIL
waukee. the socialistlc opponent OF Mr..
Gompers. rising and with uplifted
arms declaring that although he had
at convention after convention bitter
5ly opposed the, -eIect Ion OF. President
IsGompers.s he would be the -ane this year
TO move to max IL Ills, IL seieetion una nj
nous with a vote OF confidence not
only to President Gompers. but to Ill
the officers of the American Federation
OF Labor This" declared Mr.. Rerger.
sis the answer OF the Socialists to the
Manufacturers Association" "A motion
offered by w. .. Ryan. of Springfield,
ILL.,, representing the Illinois mine
workers, voting to President Gompers
complete confidence in his every act
and deed and denouncins The Manufac-
turers' Association, received immedi-
ate consideration and was adopted
amid enthusiasticSe excitement.
Drop Part OF Name.
After long consideration OF the juris-
dictional fight between the 1nterna-
tional Longshoremen and the Interna-
tional Seamen, the Federation adopted
a resolution providing that the Long
shoremen shall be known only by the
American Federation of Labor as the
ton. with the remainder of the name.
Marine and Transport Workers" :"
adopted by the longshoreinen omitted
The executive council was directed
to require a conference between the
carriage and wagon workshops and the
|upholsterers, with a view to settle
ment of the question OF the yielding OF
jurisdiction by the former to the latter
Of allSvehicle upholsterers.
Many locals OF various trades In New
York aftlliated with unrecognized
bodies were directed to at once aftlli-
ate with the Brooklyn Central Labor
Union. The National Actors Protec-
tive Union was given jurisdiction over
all unions of those In productions he
hind scenes the musicians excepted.
and these not to interfere with other
rights heretofore granted by the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor.
Not Admit Employers.
The convention recommended In view
Of the organization OF employers as
sociation. and ''citizens' alliances.
that no employers OF labor be admit
ted to membership In any city, State.
national or international union. Res
o1utions were introduced providing
that the government experiment with
the Federal ownership of telegraph
lines by constructing a government
|'line between Washington and New
York. and calling upon Secretary OF
Commerce Straus to prohibit salmon
traps in the Wood and Nushagak Riv-
ers. State Of Washington.
POWERS WINS FIRsT POINT
PartIsHp Venire Is Rejected On PrO-
test by I'risoners Counsel.
G. QIacslITly1,NyA NJ N he