Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-31

Mcdonald declared the assessment
had not been levied because the best
OF feeling did not exist between the
officers Of the American Federation of
Labor and the Western Federation of
Miners.
In concluding the Illinois miners
made a plea that the delegates give
close attention to Gompers. 81
IT resent the hypocritical plea of
Mcdonald for hearing for me-"
Gompers said, when the cheers had
died down so he could be heard. 1.-The
worst criminal in the land has bet
ter show than have here. He knows
the charges which have been placed
against him, but I am called here and
the charges are made without any
time for me to obtain evidence to dis
prove them. 1t is unjust, vicious and
inhuman.
'On the unsupported testimony of
Mcdonald you have laughed. How
would YOU like to be placed on trial
before Jury whose minds were al
ready poisoned against you?
"The fact that I was permitted to
occupy a pulpit in Seattle. on the
Sunday night following the. Sunday
sufficient refutation of the charge that
1 was drunk"
Gompers denounced Mcdonald for
taking the position that unions able
to pay the assessment should be ex-
PEELED from the Federation.
How short Is the memory Of some
men!" exclaimed Gompers an 1894 the
American Federation of Labor had only
5000 in its treasury. but when the min
ers appealed for aid they were voted
$500 What would have happened had
an assessment been levied at that time?
The United Mine Workers of America
could not have paid and would have been
forced out OF the Federation. That's
what would have happened. And there
are many unions today, sorry as I am to
say it, in the same position as the min
ers were in 1894.
b. Mcdonald says the American Fedora
ton of Labor is reactionary, fossilized
and Dead" continued Gompers, but the
enemies of organized labor do not think
so. Ask Post, ask Kirby, ask Pope-they
do not think the American Federation of
preme court does not think the American
fSucfatiOIi Oh LdpoT is uSdu.
In concluding, Gompers reiterated the
hope that President John p. White of
the miners would accept the office of
vice president of the Federation to which
he was elected at the Seattle convention.
He said there was no law in the Fedora
ton enumerating the eight vice presidents
of the Federation as first, second, third,
etc., and that it had only become a GUS
tom. Mr.. Mcdonald had read in his
speech letterhead of the Federation
the list of vice presidents and they were
enumerated as first vice president,
James Duncan second vice president,
John Mitchell" etc.
President White was elected seventh
vice president and declined to serve on
the ground that the position was not In
organization. He was unable to attend
yesterdays session because of illness, but
sat on the platform today.
Meyer said: Appeals never bring re-
suits. This appeal of the American Fed
Grafton brought In $a3. 716.71, of which $780,
coo came from the coal miners. I do not
believe 2-cent assessment would have
driven any of the unions out of the Fed
Grafton. I believe there were other rea-
sons than the statement that it could
not be collected for not levying the as
sessment.,'
When Meyer concluded many delegates
sought permission to continue the discus
sion, which was not permitted as, it was
declared, the controversy already had
cost the miners more than $4,000
The report of the constitution commit
tee was then resumed and 1t will be the
order of business tomorrow.