The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-21
GOMPERS STILL IN
COMPLETE CONT
American Federation of Labor
Indorses Leader by AdOp-
tiOn of Report.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
CLOSES CONVENTION TODAY
IncumbentS Will Retain Posi-
tiOns, With Possible Excep-
tiOn of d. j. Keefe.

DENVER. Nov. 20.-There has at no
time since the opening of the conven-
tion of the American Federation or
Labor been any doubt that President
Gcmpers was in complete control, but
1t was thought possible that part
OF his report might be materially
amended or his political course con-
demned. Tho report was before the
convention for n day and half, and
although for a while there was Wig
orous discussion of some of its con-
tents the report was adopted this after
noon and Mr.. Gompers thereby fully in
dorsed
Tomorrow at 10 CLOCK the election
of officers VIII be the special order of
business. All the old officers will prob
ably be reelected with the exception
of Vicc-President Daniel J. Kcefe. and
even he may again be voted into Of
fec.
Miners May Back Keefe.
1t is reported that the miners have
decided 10 support Mr.. Keefe for re-
election and they have the largest vote
of any union in the convention, 1t is
also reported that Mr. Gompers viii not
oppose Mr.. kccfe, but this cannot' he
confirmed, as the president refuses 10 be
interviewed on the subject
The convention still has so much
work before it that in all probability
IT will not adjourn sine die before late
tomorrow afternoon.
In the report of the committee on
tho presidents report there was see
ton commending the courage of the
American Federatiouist, the official or
gan. Objection to this was made by
the leading Socialists present. They
wanted tho report amended so that
committee could be appointed TO in
vestgate the sources OF income of the
Socialist party in the recent campaign.
This amendment was desired because OF
AN attack on l.. v Debs that appeared
in the Fcdorationist. An amendment
10 this was offered TO ask the Socialists
If they were responsible for attacks
made on the federation officials in the
Socialist press,
Amendment Adopted.
This amendment was adopted and
precipitated a debate in which a num-
her of delegates took part. including
closed the discussion. and in the course
of his remarks denied several of the
charges made by President Gompers
Mr.. Gompers desired TO speak second
time, but Delegate Barnes objected BY
this objection the Socialists lost all
they had gained by their cloquence.
and the convention promptly voted
down their amendment and adopted the
debated section.
The remainder of the committee S re-
port was adopted without discussion.
AT this point Delegate T. L. Lewis of
the, miners interrupted the proceedings
and IN an eloquent speech presented ou
behalf OF the convention TO President
Gompers handsome silver loving cup
and 10 Mrs. Gompers a diamond ring.
Mr.. Gompers was overcome by the good
will of the delegates. coming as il did
AT tho end of a hard fight. and could
scarcely control his feelings as he
thanked the convention.
The report of the committee on sec
retary S report was adopted unani-
mously without discussion.
Committee to Investigate
4 number of resolutions were then
adopted with very little discussion.
Among them was orc instructing the
executive council to appoint a COM
mittee 10 investigate Industrial educa-
tion IN this country and abroad and
report to the next convention
The convention decided to send two
fraternal delegates TO the convention
of the Farmers union, who shall invest
gate the condition OF farm laboTors.
A resolution was offered commenting
the efforts of President Roosevelt in
behalf of the conservation Of the nat
ural resources. which was unanimously
adopted.
The recommendation that the fedora.
tion erect a building suitable for its
use at Washington, D. G., was also
adopted.
The committee on organization re.
ported a dozen different resolutions,
covering the organization of number
of trades. All these resolutions were
referred to the executive council.