Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-22
More Trouble in
Labor Convention.

Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 21.--The Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. today, de.
feated the resolution Respectfully re-
questlng' its officers to resign from
the Civic Federation.
John Mitchell told the convention
that it was a packed" convention of
the United Mine Workers at Column
bus, Ohio. last spring, that compelled
him to give UP his $4,000 job with the
National Civic Federation. He de-
elared that at the proper time he
would furnish proofs that delegates
bearing fraudulent credentials were
sent there to destroy him at a time
when he was bound, hand and foot"
In the supreme court of the United
States. defending himself against the
enemies of organized labor.
Il was the same convention that
adopted a resolution calling upon all
officers and members of organized Ia
Dor identified with the Civic. Fedora
ton to resign from that body and di-
feetiHg it's delegates to the present
convention to urge the endorsement
OF the resolution.
After day of stormy debate dur
ing which the Socialists rallied to the
support of the mine workers delega-
ton, the convention refused it's en-
dorsement by a vote of 1883 to 1853.
As a result. President Gompers ana
IA other labor leaders will continue
as members of the executive board
of the Civic Federation.
Thomas L. Lewis, who was president
of the Mine Workers at the time of
the Columbus convention. tried in vain
/ to obtain the floor to answer Mr.. Nit
ehells charges. Failing ia this he lat
er made a statement saying that the
charges made by Mr.. Mitchell We're
absolutely untrue and that Mitchell
would be required at the next con-
vention of the miners to prove his
statements or be brandai as conveying
to the American Federation of Labor
information that is incorrect.
President Gempers bitterly assailed
the Socialists in a speech in defence of
the Civic Federation.
There is nothing we can do to please
the Socialist party" ha explained, "un-
less we go over, body, boots and breseches
to that party. Then they will remain
quiet as long as We remain subordinate
to that party. II they succeed in passing
this resolution they would offer some
thing else. anytb hing to Antagonist the
trade movement as a militant force of
this country. Their idea is that the
whole nation should he brought to a state
Of poverty and then BY some catacism
they would come into their own and take
charge of society.
If the theory of the Socialists is ria hit.
then the work of the American Fedora
ton of Labor is waste of time aud
! ought TO be abandoned. 1 am going TO
stick to the trade union movement, mo
matter what you do. 1t is dearer tp ms
than any other institution ON earth.
owe it SO much. 1t has given nse so
much opportunity to be helpful to 9TH
ers"
Delegate Duncan Mcdonald of the Mine
Workers opened the fight with an assault
upon the Civic Federation He DECLARED
that he had never heard. of that or gan
ization doing any good for organized la
Dor. 1t was a means ado.ated by men like
Carnegie and Belmont, NE said, to --chlo-
reform the labor movement and bring
its leaders within their power.
John NJ. Walker, candidate for the
presidency of the United Mine Workers.
supported Mr.. Mtchel1's charge that the
last convention was packed. Max Hayes,
the Cleveland Socialist leader, attacked
the Civic Federation on general prnci-
pies, declaring that capital and labor
had no interests in common.
1 roll call was demanded on the reso-
luton by Mr.. Mcdonald The Mine
Workers supported it solldly. including