Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-22
LABOR UPHOLDS
CIVIC FEDERATION
Resolution Asking Gompers
and Mitchell to Withdraw
Is Defeated.
is SLAP TO SOCIALISTS
Exciting Debate Precedes Voting
Down of Measure in Atlanta
Convention.

Atlanta, Ga, Nov. 22-The Ameri-
| can Federation of Labor yesterday af-
ternoon endorsed the National Civic
/ Federation and voted down a resolu-
I ton instructing labor leaders to with
draw from the civic body. President
Gompers is one OF the officials who
was asked to sever his connection with
the Civic Federation.
/ Accusations were made that the res
/ olutIon was the climax OF a plan 10 de-
stroy the influence of John Mitchell in
/ the labor movement Mitchell was for
merly president of the United Mine
( Workers, and is now vice president
/ of the American Federation Of Labor
as well as second vice president of
the National Civic Federation.
Antagonists of the Civic Federation
argued that labor leaders should not
associate with such men as Andrew
Carnegie, August Belmont, julius
Kruttschnitt, and other capitalists
who are members and officers of that
body. They charged that it was dom
mated by the worst enemies of organ
!zed labor on this continent.
Although the United Mine Workers
came to The convention instructed TO
vote in favor of the adoption OF the
resolution, both Mitchell, and John
Walker, president of the organization,
spoke against it.
ATTACK On MINERS DELEGATION.
!, The annual convention of miners,
which issued the instructions, was held
last spring in indianapolis, Ind, Mitch
ell said he had positive proof that a
delegation of 81 miners from Ohio at
tended the convention with forged Gre
dentials and pushed through the in
stTuctiOns concerning the National
Civic federation.
These men we're paid to go to that
convention and vote the way they did. '
he said. That vote was not a true
expression of the union mine work
ers. Behind that expression was the
money of the coal mine owners.
81 am not here 10 defend the name of
Carnegie. but l wish 10 say the Nation
al Civic federation has never placed
itself in opposition to the ideals of or
eanized labor 1t is 4 bridge by which
We hope TO get over the chasm that
separates labor and capital"
John Walker charged that corrupt
Influences were at work among the
miners.
PRAISES INFLUENCE OF MITCHELL.
Although he mentioned no name he
said a former official supposed to be
Thomas Lewis, former presiden) of
the union was a tool Of the mine own
ers, who were attempting TO bring
Mitchell into disrepute with the organ
ization.
John Mitchell has become so pow
erful with the coal barous in securing
wage increases and better working
conditions, he said, that they want
him out OF the way. Mitchell is one Of
the most powerful Influences in the
labor movement, because he is able 20
cope in verbal battles with the best
lawyers the employers can hire.
But there is another influence at
v ork. If ii can be proved that $4,000
was paid to that delegation from Ohio
that condemned the National Civic
federation, conclusive evidence to this
effect will be furnished 10 the miners
at their next convention 4 man who
now has political aspirations to the
highest Office in the UTion managed the
whole affair. The labor representa-
tive for Chicago newspaper was the
go-between for the mine owners and
this representative Of the union"
GoNrEItS BLAMES SOCIALISTS.
President Gompers in his argument
against the adoption Of the resolution
took an entirely different view OF the
mater from those preceding him. and
blamed the socialists for the dissen-
sion
Duncan Mcdonald. secretary of the
Illinois Nine Workers. Championed the
resolution. He said the civic fedora
ton was launched, financed. and chief
" composed OF men who are autag-
onisuc 70 organized labor.
Dennis Haynes. International presi- I
dent Of the glass bottle blowers and
q member Of the civic federation said
neither the American Federation OF
Labor nor any other body could re-
strict his rights as a citizen.
I know of Andrew Carnegie.s CON /
-3nued attempt 70 cruelty orgapizAs +.
labor. and OF the millions of blood .
stained dollars he has amassed." he I
said But where prejudice against
7ur organization is most acute is
where We ought to be We want to
get the viewpoint Of cur enemies"
Atlanta Ga, Nov. 22.-The Fedora
.icn Of Labor endorsed the strike on
he Hartman lines and pledged moral .
support.