Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-11-22
MITCHELL CHARGES FRAUD
SAYS NINE WORKERS USED A
PACKED CONVENTION" TO
DESTROY HIM LAST YEAR
CONVENTION WAS STRONG
Gompers Bitterly Arraigns Socialists
for Opposing the Work of American
Civic Federation, In u Speech.

ATLANTA. Ga, Nov. 2t.- John
Mitchell today told the convention Of
the American Federation of Labor
that II was a packed convention Of
Unitd Mine Workers last spring that
compelled him to give up his $4,000
job with the Nat onal Civic federation
lie declared that at the proper time
he would furnish proofs that dele
gates bearing fraudulent credentials
were seated there to destroy him at
a time he was bound hand and foot"
In the supreme court OF the United
States, defJdng himself against the
enemies of organized labor.
Gompers Is Sustained.
1t was the same convention that
adopted a resolution calling upon all
officers and men of organized labor
identified with the civic federation
to resign from that body and direct
ing its delegates to the present con-
vention urge the endorsement of the
resolution. After a day of stormy
debate which the socialists rallied to
the support of the mine workers del
egaton. the convention refused its
endorsement by a vote of 11,S44 to
$3.50 AS a result, President Gompers
and fourteen other labor leaders will
continue as members of the executive
board of the civic federation.
Lewis Makes Bitter Reply.
Thomas l.. Lewis, who was pres
ident Of the mine workers at the time
of the Columbus convention, tried in
vain to Obtain the floor to answer
Mr. MtchelPs charges. Failing In
this he later made the following
statement to the Associated Press.
The charge made by Mr.. Mitchell
that at the last convention of the
United Mine Workers, they We're
packed, is absolutely untrue and he
will be required at the next session
to substantiate his statements. The
resolution condemning the civic fed
Grafton came from Illinois, the an
thracite, and Iowa mining districts
and was inspired by the bitter feel
ing among coal miners in those dis
tricts against mine owners who are
members of the National Civic Fed
Grafton.
Mr. Mitchell was at the head Of
the trades uSson when the mine work
ers convention convened. Rather
than give up the Nnion Mr.. Mitchell
resigned his position with the fed
Grafton although he declared today
that he was rendering much good to
the cause OF organized labor in that
position.
Gompers scores Socialism.
President Gompers bitterly assailei
the socialists in a speech in defense
of the civic federation. 1t was evident
that he regarded them as responsible
for the introduction of the resolution.
| There is nothing we could do that
would please the socialist party" he
exclaimed.
"If they succeeded in passing this
| resolution, they would offer some-
thing else or anything TO antagonize
/ the trade movement as n militant
| force Of this country. Because there
is hunger and suffering among the
/ poor of the country they think we
| should not go to the convention at
Richmond, where we would be able
to do much to relieve the condition
of the poor. Their idea is that the
whole nation would be brought to a
state Of poverty, when they would
come into their own.
"lf the theory of socialists is right
then the federation is waste of time
and ought to he abandoned. ! am
going to stick to the trade union
movement no matter what YOU do. II
Is doarer to me than any other lnstl-
! tuition on earth. 1t has given me 80
much opportunity to be helpful to
| Others"