Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-11-21
President Of American Federation
Creates a Great Sensation Ia
Labor Convention.
DELEGATES WILD WITH EXCITEMENT
After Head CT the ORGANIZATION Had
Told of the Efforts to Purchase Him
REFUSING Vote of Confidence Was
Given to Aim-His Statements veri-
fled by Delegates
fny Associated rress.l

fDy Associated Press.)
NORFOLK. VA, Nov. "a great
sensation was created in the Amcri-
can Federation of Labor this after
noon by President Gompcrs in his
speech replying To the attacks upon
him and other officers of the FEEDER.
ation by the Manufacturers asSocia.
ton. when he Told OF an alleged at
tempt TO brlbe him at the Victoria
hotel in New York in October by
young newspaper man giving his name
as Brandembcrg. the latter. President
Gompei,' said, having declared that
he represented the National AIanufac
tnrcrs Association. aud was prepared
10 oncr him immunity from all expos-
urc and make him financially secure
the remainder OF his life il he would
sign certain paper and otherwise
AID in the exposure" OF the other
leaders in the American Federation
OF Labor with the view of totally de-
suoying the influence OF organized
labor in the country. The paper
which President Gompers said. was
to purnort 10 have been signed when
he (Gompers) was ill in Little Rock
in 1895.
This paper Gompcrs said he mad
preserved aud. while death like still.
ness prevailed in the convention
Gompers drew forth tho original doc.
ument and read 1t. The climax was
a most dramatic one. Mr.. Gompe,-,
during his recital of the alleged at.
tempt ~ bribery called upon difcrent
delegates who were with him ut the
time OF the interview with Branden.
berg TO verify his statements. This
he delegates. rising in their seats. did
AT the closing of President Gomper,
speech there was u great demonstrn-
ton. even Victor J.. Berger of Mil.
waukce, tho Socialistic opponent OF
MIR. Gompers. rising and with upllfted
arms declaring that although he had
NJ convention after convention bitter.
" opposed the re election Of President
Gompers. he would be the ono this
year to move to make his reelection
unanimous with vote of confidence
not only to President Gmpers. but to
all the officers of the American Fed.
Grafton OF Labor.
This" declared Mr.. berger. lis
the answer of the Socialists 10 the
Manufacturers Association"
Given Vote of Confidence.
motion offered by w. d. Ryan
Of Springfield. H.. representing the
Illinois Mine Workers. voting to Pres
ident Gompers complete confidence IN
MS every act and deed and denounc-
ing the Manufacturers Association
received immediate consideration and
was adopted amid great excitement.
Following the close of his address
President Gompcrs was presented with
la beautiful basket of flowers.
The incident following the conclu.
sion OF AIR. Gompers' remarkable
speech. was declared to have been the
most remarkable demonstration ever
to have taken place in n convention
of the American Federation of Labor
Mr. Gompers in his speech made a
clean heart of the management of
the Federation in all its details. pro
ducng the various forms OF It's adj
vertising contracts. inviting the full.
ept Investigation of its advertising
contracts, the closest scrutiny OF his
personal conduct in connection with
the Federation and defying the worst
possible charges of the enemy.
Severa. Decisions Rendered.
Ntcr long consideration OF the ju-
risdiction fight between the Interna.
tional Lonsshorcmen and the Interna
tional Scamen. the Federation adopt
cd resolution providing that the
i<piiESuolt iicll snail ne known only
by the American Federation of Labor
ms the International Longshoremen's
Association with the remainder of tile
name Marine and Transport Work
ers,' adopted by the Longshoremen
omitted.
The executive council WAS directed
to require n conference between the
carriage and wagon workshops and
the upholsterers with view 10 a
settlement of the question of yi>es'ng
jurisdiction ly the former to the lat
tor OF all vehicle upholsterers. Many
locals of various trades in New York
affiliated with unrecognized bodies
were directed to at once amliatc with
the BROOKLYN Central Labor Union.
The National Actors Protective
Union was given Jurisdiction of all
unions OF those in productions behind
scenes. the musicians excepted and
those who interfere with rights grant
ed by the American Federation OF La
Dor. The convention recommended
liz view OF the organization of En-.
ployers Association and Citizens