The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-11-28


Labor replied specifcly to the
charges of Van Cleave and his
manufacturers Association and
their paid hirelingS maintained out
of the million and one half dollars
corruption fund of that orga.iza-
ton. He refuted every statement
and presented the evidence to the
convention to back up his every
assertion. a sensation was ere
atcd when he told Of all attempt to
hrihc him (Which was corroborated
hy first vice president James Dun
can and several other delegates on
the convention hoor) at the Vic
toria Hotel, New York in October.
by Il young newspaper man giving
his name rs Charles Brandenburg,
the latter, President GomperS said,
having declared that he represent.
ed the National Manufacturers
association and WAS prepared to
Offer him immunity from all ex-
po>ure and make him financially
secure for the remainder of his life
if lie would sign Il certain paper
and otherwise aid in the exposure
Of the other leaders in the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor with the
view to virtually destroying the in
iiG"ucc of organized labor.
The paper, President Gompers
Sald, was to purport to have been
signed when he (Gompers) was ill
in 1909, This paper, Mr.. Com
pcrS said, he had preserved and,
while dcathlike stiffness prevailed
III the convention, Mr.. Gompers
drew forth the original document
and read it.
Al the conclusion of President
GomperS' statement, Delegate Vic
Tor Berger wa, on his feet and said:
-Hr. Chairman and fellow dele
gates, lor some years past il has
been my lot to come here and vote
against the unanimous election of
President Gompers. This year |
promise To move to make his electi-
on unanimous
III resident GompcIs and the en-
urc Executive Council. / move
'haI everybody stand up.
Inc motion was seconded and
carried by Il unanimous rising vote
accompanied by three cheers for
President Gompers.
W hcreupon delegate w. ID.
Ryan, of the United Mine Work
tfS OF America, offered the follow
Ing resolution which was unanim-
"uSlN adopted by a rising vote:-
W Lerels. An organizat O n
Nh"wn as the National .AsSoci-
H'l"n of Manufacturers is attempt
ing TO destroy the rights and iber-
,i"S attained by the Trades Union
Movement for the American work
man, under the guise that it is
aiming 10 secure his individual
ifredoom, and
" hereas, Upon repeated oc-
ca>lons during the recent past
mere has appeared in the daily
press statements emanating from
,lr. Van Cleave, President of the
-Natlonal Association of Manu-
'"cturerS III which he (Vau Cleave)
''NeS occasion to vilify and abuse
'2'muel Goupers, President of the
NNIl iblcll VI
ana In his zeal to crush the labor
NOV ement he challenged the in
"sf'y oI one, who has been our
intrepid leader for more than a
quarter of century, when the
nenchmen of Mr.. Van Cleave had
I"Ieu TO influence from his path OF
Huty by the lustre of gold; there
fore be it
Resolved, BY the 27th Annual
Convention of the American FEEDER.
@'lon OF Labor that the delegates
hereln assembled express their full
est confidence in the integrity
honesty and unfaltering courage OF
resident Gompers. We herein
give our unqualified endorsement tc
everything he has done and said
nN pen, word and effort in advanc
my me cause of labor, by combat
ing TINS un American organization
VI man anuiactureres for which Mr.
further