Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-13
Seems to Present Prob
lem atA.F.ofL Meeting,
Efforts 10 Prevent Discussion
On Floor Of Convention.
eompers RoundIy Scores the Con-
duct Of Justice Wright.

davs the American Federation of Labor
has been in session there has been
much suppressed speculation as to the
attitude the convention might take on
the question of labor and the saloon.
When it was announced early in the
week that a temperance mass meet
ing would be held Sunday under the
auspices of the labor department Of
the Presbyterian church, the delegates
representing the International Union
of the United Brewery Workmen and
the Hotel and Restaurant Employees
International Alliance and the Bar
tenders International League of
America began to canvass the sltua-
ton quietly with view to learning
whether the liquor question was likely
to reach the floor OF the convention.
Rev. Charles Stelzle, a fraternal
delegate from the Federal Council of
the Churches of Christian America,
and a warm advocate of the principles
OF trade unionism, has been advocat-
ing the establishment of temperance
brotherhood among the trades unions
and will preside at Sundays meeting
In the event of an attack by reso-
luton or otherwise in the convention
the representatives of the liquor inter
ests count on the support of the CT
garmakers International Union OF
America, whose delegation numbers
Samuel Gompers, president of the
federation, Edward Hirsch, president
of the Baltimore Federation of Labor,
is also credited with being an oppo
nent Of the Stelzele program 1t is I'M
derstood that President Gompers is
anxious to avoid debate on the liquor
question on the floor of the conven-
ton and he was instrumental today in
bringing about q meeting between Jere
L. Sullivan, representing the Bartend-
ers Union, and Mr.. Stelzele. They had
long talk. during which Mr.. Stelzele
gave Mr.. Sullivan to understand that
his plans at the present convention
contemplated an attempt to get trades
unions of the country to stop holding
meetings in back rooms of saloons and
in buildings where liquor is sold.
President Gompers, it is said, has
agreed to lend his support to resolu-
ton urging the erection of labor tenn
pies and other places for holding Ia
hor meetings. Mr.. Gompers is also
credited with having prevented the in
PRODUCTION Of a resolution by delegate
from the Central Federate Union of
New York, containing a declaration
against local option laws.
Sundays meeting will be addressed
ny the Rev. Mr.. Stelzle, John Mitche l.,
vice president Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor; John r. Lennon, treas
urer of the federation, and James
Simpson, secretary of the local labor
committee. Mr.. Lennon is understood
to take the attitude that the use of
liquor by workingmen effects the rate
of wages because it lowers the degree
Of efficiency of the men; and Mr..
Mitchell will discuss the contention
THAT increased wages and shorter hours
-smean added profits to the saloons.
va Committee meetings occupied most
of the day. At G, brief session of the
& convention this morning President
& Gompers was called upon by one Of
the delegates to discuss the status of
the present contempt proceedings as Il
result of which Mr.. Gompcrs, John
Mitchell and Frank Morrison may have
to serve terms in Jail. Mr.. Gompers
said the question of an appeal and the
line of defence will be discussed at a
conference between the defendants and
thir counsel to be held soon after the
convention adjourns, probably in New
York on Nov. 2S.
Mr.. Gompers declared that Justice
Wright was guilty of Outrageous
conduct in so cruelty cXcoriating thc
honest conduct of three citizens who
undertook to test the law and in in
posing unusual sentences"
He said there was some doubt wine H.
er under the practice rules of the Dis
trict of Columbia there may be an ap,
peal 20 the supreme court of TIC
United States, but attorneys advised
him that there would be no difficulty in
obtaining an extension of Is or 20 days
to take the last course for defence in
the &c