Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-04

conventions and thus carry out the
leaders schemes. frequently abhorrent
to the rank and file; SO it was at the
late Toronto convention.
The paid delegates would applaud
and "resolute" as Gompers wanted, but
now and then some of the real work
ingmen insist on being heard. some
times at the risk of their lives
Delegate Egan is reported to have
said at the Toronto convention:
IF the officers of the federation
would only adhere to the law we would
think lot more of them"
The Grand Council of the Provincial
/ WOrkingmens Assn of Canada has
| declared in favor of severing all con-
nections with unions in the u. s., say
| ing any union having its seat of
! Govt in America, and pretending to be
! international in its scope, must fight
| Industrial battles according to Ameri-
can bethods. Said methods have con-
sequences which are abhorrent to the
law-abiding people of Canada, invOlv
| ing hunger. misery, riot. bloodshed and
murder. all of which might be termed
a result of the practical war now in
rected by foreign emissaries of the
United Miners of America
That Is an honest Canadian view OF
our Infamous Labor Trust
A few days ago the daily papers
printed the following:
(By the Associated Press)
Washington. D. c., Nov. 1O.-Char-
acterizing the attitude of Samuel Com
pers, John Mitchell and Frank Morri-
son of the American Federation Of
Labor in the contempt proceedings in
the courts of the District in Columbia,
in connection with the Bucks Stove
and Range company, as "a willful, pre-
meditated violation of the law" Simon
Burns, general master workman of the
general assembly, Knights OF Labor,
has voiced a severe condemnation of
these three leaders. Mr.. Burns ex-
pressed his confidence in courts in
general and in those of the District of
Columbia in particular.
APPROVED BY DELEGATES.
This rebuke by Burns was in his an
nual report to the general assembly of
his organization. He received the
hearty approval of the delegates who
heard it read at their annual meeting
in this city.
There is no trust or combination of
capital in the world said Mr. Burns,
that violates laws oftener than do the
trust labor organizations, which resort
to more dishonest, unfair and dishon>
orable methods toward their competi-
tors than any trust or combinations IN
the country
Mr. Burns said the action of these |
so-called leaders would be harmful !
for years to come whenever attempts |
were made to obtain labor legislation |
The Labor Digest" a reputable |
workingman's paper, says. as part of |
an article entitled The beginning Of |
the end of GompeTism. many organiza-
lions becoming tired of the rule-or-
ruin policies which have been enforced /
by the president of the A. F. of L."
That he has maintained his leader
ship for so long a time in the face IF
his stubborn clinging to policies which
the more thoughtful of the working
men have seen for years must be
has been on account partly
Of the sentimental feeling on the part
to be deposed. and the unwillingness
Of the men who were mentioned for
the place, to accept nomination in
to him. In addition to this,
here is no denying the shrewdness
Of the leader of the A. F. of L.. and L
mis- political sagaeity, which has ena-
1led him to keep firm grip on the ma
,hinery of the organization. and 20
nave his faithful henchmen in the posi-
ion where they could do him the most
rood wenever their services might be
needed
Further than this, he has never
allied, at the last conventions, to have
some sensation to spring on the con- ,
'entIon at the psychological moment, |
which would place him in the light of I
martyr to the cause of unionism, ,
md excite wave of sympathetic en- ;
husiasm for him, which would carry $
he delegates off their feet, and result s
n his reelection. !
THAT his long leadership, and this ,