The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-11-10
BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN.


lSta1 Correspondent United Press.)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. 9.-For
the first time In half dozen years,
the rule OF Samuel Gompers in the
seriously threatened today. The vet
eran head OF the organization will be
seriously criticised at the thirty
fourth annual session which opened
here today. The delegates OF the
United Mine workers, the largest
single unit In the federation, with
100000 members. garment w "ers
and various other organizations who
are inclined to radicalism, openly de-
clare their belief that present con-
troll of the organization Is far too
conservative. While IL is expected
that Gompers and his associates n
control will be able to retain their
power. il was evident from the out
set that there would be much stormy
discussion in the coming two weeks
OF meetings.
The opposition is led by Duncan
Mcdonald. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF the
Mine Workers, and by the delegates
from that organization. Gompers has
let II be known that he intends to
take the floor before the sessions
come to an end and have a few
things to say about his enemies.
Incidentally. the old lineup between
In the organization. will be the Gen.
ter Of serious debate.
The formation. Of an international
society for the prevention OF war was
urged by the executive council in its
annual report to the convention.
Convinced that the greatest burdens
of the European war are falling upon
the shoulders of the toilers. the coun-
Gil declared:
The working people, the masses Of
the worlds population, can end all
wars n they but have the independ-
ence to think, and to give their con-
victions reality by daring to do. Wars
will cease only when society Is con-
vincet. that human life Is really sacred,
and when society establishes agen-
cies. international as well as national,
for protecting lives"
The officers declared the convention
must adopt some constructive plan to
stop warfare.
The great growth of the federation
was emphasized in the annual state
ment OF Secretary Frank Morrison.
Since the meeting a year ago, he re-
ported, 62,8S2 laborers have joined.
making the total membership over q
000,00 In % states and Porto Rico.
225 charters were ISSUED to new
branches. There was balauce of
$102, 1921 in the treasury at the close
of the year.
Secretary Morrison declared that as
a result of the 957 strikes, conditions
for 74,350 workers were materially i'm
proved. The total cost OF the strikes,
counting the Si09,204 raised by unions
for the assistance of strikers, amount,
ed to s4,3s9,510.
The annual report was replete with
recommendations regarding, and
severe condemnations Of "feudal con.
ditions" In Colorado, West Virginia
and Michigan. Its suggestions even
extended to the recommended tons to
congress that the United states pur.
chase Thomas Jefferson's homestead,
Monticello" and George Washing
tons home at Mount Vernon.
Discussing conditions In Colorado
the report said:
All the organized agencies OF the
state were subservient to the condt
lions. The laws of the state regard
ing miners were broken with cynical
disregard Civil authority In Colorado
broke down under the contest that
ensued. The state militia was put AT
the service of the coal companies.
Brutality, coercion and bloodshed fol.
lowed.
President Wilson. in his letter
transmitting the plan OF settlement,
stated that the duration of the Colo
RADIO strike, its many stages and pos
sibilities, had made II Of national i'm
portance. Yet, as there was no indica
ton Of purpose TO reach an adjustment
OF differences IL Is now necessary e
determine whsther or not the pres,
dent was justineu IN using the army o.
the United States indefinitely for DO
lice purposes. This h the issue which
ultimately reverts to the nation:
involves the larger issue OF whahe
danos tism shall he permftted to exls