Omaha daily bee., 1910-11-27
GOMPERS HAS MINERS CASE
Question of Charter for Western Fed
Grafton Left to President.
JOHNSON ORDERED OUT OF TAMPA
American Federation Of Labor Ad-
dresses Protest TO Governor GIL
christ AGAINST Treatment of
Ciuarmnkera,

CiEnrmnkers.
ST LOUIS, Nov. 26-The question OF
whether the western Federation Of Miners
could be granted a charter by the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor was placed be-
fore President Gompers last night by the
convention on a point OF federation law
raised by President James OConneu OF
the international Association Of Machin-
lists.
President O'Conneu, who is leading the
fight against the proposition to grant an
unrestricted charter to the western miners
declared that the constitution Of the FED
Grafton provided that In cases where
charters were applied for in which the
question OF jurisdiction came up the
written consent of the chief Officials OF
all other organizations involved had 10 De
obtained first. He said that he, as presi-
dent Of the machinists, had never given
such consent, and asked that the point
be passed upon.
President Gompers was unprepared TO
act before adjournment was taken.
Whether the controversy will be re-opened
depends on whether Gompers renders his
decision In response to demands that this
decision be made tomorrow he said that
as soon as he had arrived at an opinion,
he would state it. Labor leaders tonight
say that he holds the key to the situa-
ton
The controversy was precipitated by the
report of the special committee, when
favored granting the charter with the
proviso that the jurisdiction Of the
machinists organization in the states az
tected should not be lnterfered with. This
report was amended by President Thomas
L. Lewis Of the United Mine Workers to
D WigafT ct
over men employed in mines, mills or
smelters, without reference as to whether
they were machinists or not.
Delegate F. NJ. Ryan Of the Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers presented a sub
stitute for the Lewis amendment, providing
that jurisdlctionaI rights should remain
vested In the international unions having
locals in any of the sections controlled by
the western federation.
Against the Ryan substitute Presiden
Lewis and John Mitchell Of the mine
workers led the fight with OConnell and
others supporting 1t.
O'Connell declared that II the charter
without restrictions was granted by the
convention his organization would With
draw from the federation.
Meyer Explains.
Charles H Meyer, mead Of the western
Federation and a guest of the convention
by invitation explained that the invitation
to become affiliated with the American
Federation had been repeated yearly for
fifteen years. He said that the question
OF Jurisdiction would not be serious
The report Of the committee on the pres
ident's report, which was adopted, directs
that state declarations in Pennsylvania
West Virginia. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wis
III lie haFnV
the state legislatures providing for in
vestigahon of the charges that the United
States Steel corporation is importing Grim
inal labor from Europe; that committee
of five be appointed by President Gompers
to fully organize the departments Of FED
Grafton; for more direct affiliation with
| Porto Rico organized labor and criucises
! the mounted constabulary of western
Pennsylvania, known as "Cossacks," urG-
| ing the introduction OF a bill to repeal the
law which authorizes them.
! The convention adopted a resolution for
a memorial to congress urging the eIclu-
sion OF Asiatic laborers.
Protest Treatment of CiEarmakers.
| The American Federation Of Labor to-
night unanimously adopted resolutions
protesting to Governor Gilchrist of Florida
Il
union men in the Tampa cigarmakers'
strike troubles and demanded that the gov
ernor accord adequate protection to the
striking men.
! The protest followed the receipts of a
! telegram by President Samuel Gompers
announcing that a man named Johnson,
an organizer for the union stationed at
Tampa, had been ordered out of town by
the citizens today. The Florida governor
and the Tampa mayor and sheriff were
subjects of condemnation earlier in the
day, when President Gompers and other
delegates declared that union men were
not receiving the protection Of the authori-
ties, The president in a speech declared
that with three Ihen in prison and one
dead as the result OF lynching. it was time
something was being done.
johnson Leaves Tampa.
TAMPA, Fla. NOV. S.-J. c. johnson Of
Chicago, organizer for the International
Cigarmakers' union, accepted the advice Of
the citizens protective committee today
and left Tampa He bought a ticket to
Jacksonville. No threats were made against
the organizer. It was feared he would be
hArshly dealt with.
Following the departure Of johnson state
ments we're wired TO President Gompers ct
/ st Louis alleging that Johnson had been
ordered to leave the city, President Comp
ers made a protest to Governor Gilohrlst,
who referred the affair to Mayor Mckay
Johnson had been in Tampa about eight
months and the present strike, involving
| nearly 1000 workmen Is attributed indi-
rectly 20 him With the strained conditions
existing as a result OF the critical business
situation, feeling against him has been
growing intense.
Six members Of the citizens committee
early today called on Johnson and informed
him OF the bitter feeling against him 1t
was suggested that threats had come to the
ears Of the committee anc that the com
mittee could no longer be responsible for
| his safety.
statement was made by q member Of
the citizens committee tonight denying that
Johnson had been threatened by the com
mittee.