Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-20
Federation Minority Re-
port is in Favor of In
dustriaI Unionism.
Mr.. GOMPERS OPPOSES
Bitter Fight Takes Place on the
Floor of the Convention at
Rochester.

Rochester, n. Y, Nov. 20.-With
the first big fight before the American
Federation of Labor convention, that
against the Sherman antitrust law,
temporarily disposed of, the conven-
ton today took up the subject Of or
ganization of the federation by indus
tries rather than by trades. The de-
bate is expected TO bring about a
sharp division between the radical
and conservative wings of the conven-
ton. The conservatives, headed by
President Samuel Gompers, say the
adoption of the industrial plan would
be only a step toward changing the
federation into another political party.
At the presentation of the minority
report of the committee, which favors
| industrial unionism, the convention
| floor became a scene of excitement.
AS soon as Gompers called for a vote,
and before remarks had been allowed,
a dozen men were on their feet call
ing for recognition. Gompers recog-
nized one delegate who was against
/ industrial unionism, saying:
Il am pleased to see at last you
are waking up"
! AS the debate progressed Kisses and
/ groans often interrupted the speakers.
! Frank ]. Hayes spoke in favor of the
minority report, and was seconded by
John Mitchell and John Walker. While
John p Egan of Toledo was attacking
| industrial unionism, a dozen dele
! gates stood up in noisy dissent.
Walker stalked across the floor and
-started a personal argument with
Egan. Walker finally was forced into
his seat at Gompers' orders.
ATTACK SHERMAN LAW.
In an all-day discussion of the
Sherman antitrust law as interpreted
in the Danbury hatters' case speakers
before the American Federation
Of Labor convened yesterday
arraigned the Sherman act as a men
ace to the right of workers to asso-
ciate for purposes of common inter
est. On this point there was agree
ment, BIT difference of opinion arose
as to the best means to combat the
law.
When the discussion ended the ques-
ton Of taking steps TO encourage the
Sherman laws amendment was refer
red back to the committee on presi-
dents report, which will make a rec
ommendation later in the week. By
a special order of business, discus
sion OF Industrial unionism was sci
: TO follow the Sherman law discussion
and will be taken up tomorrow morn
ing.
, Radicals urged the federation to
, support the Danbury hatters and tc
assume the fines and judgments that
, may be imposed on them. This policy
is opposed by President Gompers and
> others on the ground that it would in
a vite prosecution of the federation un
der the same law.
: FOR POLITICAL PARTY.
4 Mehmers of the radical wing argued
that political action through a party
. organized in the workers interest.
/. was the only means. President Com
I pers and other members of the conser
vative wing held that the remedy LAY
: in the election of labor men, of what
5 ever political afiliation, to congres.
and agitation against the law by time
: honored union methods. Whatever
means is employed. it was the con
vention's sentiments that the law, il
the words of President Gompers, mus
be amended or ended
At the afternoon session socialist,
: urged their plan for defeating thr
, Sherman law and several leaders o
the conservative side rebuked then
: for bringing up a political discussion
in a labor convention. Charges o
disloyalty to labor's cause were mad
against socialists by President Con
pers and others OF the conservative
wing, and there were replies by Dur
can Mcdonald, Frank Hayes and jon
H. Walker Of the United Mine Work
Y ers.
James B. Conroy of st. Louis, repre-
!. senting the foundry workers, led III
\ attack on the socialist position
Il Among those who followed him wa
n Miss Mary McCauley of Buffalo, repre-
4 senting the Commercial Telegraphert
. union, the first woman delegate t
d take part in the discussions of the col
n vention.