Omaha daily bee., 1910-11-18
ELECTRICIANS TO
IHRESh UUT FUSS
Tinll Encounter OF Two Factions
Win Occur on Floor of the
Convention.
BROUGHT UP TWICE DURING DAY
Labor Federation Appoints Special
Committee to Consider Tp7 J.
LABOR TAKEN FROM ITS ~ IS
Frank L. Duffy Asks to Hav r
Presented at Once. Z
SOCIALISTS AGAINST REGULA
a'w,,tt At "A ia "a
LABOR TAKEN FROM ITS Z
SOCIALISTS AGAINST REGULA
Heaulars Have Favor ot AdministrH
tiOn Of American Federation, hut
Jnited Mine workers Are
for Socialists.


ST. LOUIS, Nov. 17.-The Electrical
Workers union controversy. which for two
years has bccn the bitterest and most dis
astrous internal strife ia the history of
the American Federation of Labor, rs to be
threshed out finally tomorrow. Late this
afternoon the convention made II special
order OF business before the entire delega-
tioh at noon, following the opening of to-
Iuorrows session.
Tire struggle between the disrupted fac
tions Of the electrical workers was twice
brought 10 the attention Of the convention
today. first when a special committee was
appointed to consider It and make a report
before final adjournment next week. and
again late this afternoon, when it prac-
tlcary was taken from the committee.
Frank L. Duffy general secretary OF the
United brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners. preclpitated the debates which re-
suited I'm the special order by requesting
that his side Of the controversy be heard
before he returned 10 indianapolis tomorrow
night After secera acrimonious speeches
this permission was granted.
Divided Into TNvO Camps.
The electrical workers are divided into
two camps the socialists and the regulars,
each clamoring for recognition by the fed
Grafton. The regulars, numbering about
1900, enjoy tho favtor. or the federation
administration. but back Of the socialists,
1900 strong, is the almost unanimous sup
port OF the United Mine Workers, the
strongest labor union in the world,
lobe Hartman attorney for the strikers
li- Los Angeles. delivered an impassIoned
plea for support IN the Los Angeles labor
fight lie charged the Huntingtons with
responsibility FOR the labor difficulties in
the California city and declared the Los
Angeles Times disaster was the result Of a
gas explosion q n which. labor could not be
held to blame
Mr.. Hartman received enthusiastic ap-
plause a the conclusion OF his speech, and
special vote Of thanks for his presenta-
tion Of the situation, The matter OF aiding
the Eea SAtieeIts trades unions in their
fight Is ~ the hands Of a committee to be
reported next week. il Is said the fedora
10 ndclegates are almost unanimous in
support OF 4 proposltion to make the west
ern city The battle-ground OF the labor strug-
le in the United states.
The annual banquet Of the federation was
ield tonight, attended by President Gompers
and almost ali the delegates
British fraternal delegates Benjamin
Turner and william Brace, a member OF
Parliament, addressed the American Fed
Grafton of Labor convention this morning
REV. Charles stelzle OF New York. head ot
the department Of church and labor IN the
Presbyterian church, also spoke.
The fight for recognition Of the Brother
hood OF Electrical Workers faction IL
scheduled 20 be resumed at an early ses
sion. Committee reports took up most oi
the time OF the delegates.
A mass meeting FOR the women delegatei
Was held in a separate hall today. To
=. .A.a- 4
the delegates and visitors.
Aeroplane building is recognized as a new
branch Of American industy in a resolution
presented TO the convention
The Carriage and Wagon Workers In
transitional union OF lSortn America in
petition TO the Federation set forth tn
ieoline Of the carriage and wagon building
Industry and stated that IL was due to tn
automobile and the aeroplane
The members therefore asked that thei
charter be brOadened to include the trade
engaged IN building those new agencies o
transportation, The new name the unloi
iesires is the Carriage Wagon. Automobll
and Aeropane Worke-s lnternationa
linton OF North America. The petition wa
referred 20 committee
old AGE Pension.
Other resolutions were submitted TO IN
NONlnnAtta hlA NhuHiAlb Al0eNuNSloh AilloiA
the delegates are those proposing old az
pension measures and opposing increase
reght rates,
The pension proposal Is that congres
shall be asked by the federation TO enac
laws providing Tor pensions for Marie
workers over 90 years Of age who ar
without means and out OF employment
The amount suggested Is $50 month.
The rate resolution sets forth that tn
roads are now making large dividends an
calls for the appointment OF a committe
OF five to investigate the profits OF dil
ferent lines ana set che matter before "a
public.
Ben Turner said Jhe British industu'
situation was fraught with evils, most
them copied from America.
Capitalism and trusts, he said. ai
The chief Of these. Employers are con
aaenceless and remorseless, consumed /