Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-21
LABOR FEDERATION
is FACING BREACH
Resolution to Suspend Carpenters
international Union Causes
Sensational Debate.
COMPROMISE IS AGREED UPON

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, Nov. 90
The American Federation Of Labor.
in the closing sessions Of its thirty
fifth annual convention today, faced
the problem OF attempting TO heal a
breach In its ranks that developed at
the session last night. which in the
language Of prominent officers and
delegates threatened the disruption
OF the organization. The trouble
arose over consideration OF resolu-
ton that, had Il been adopted, would
have meant the loss Of 200, 900 mem
bers Of the federation. The resolu-
ton. offered by the adjustment COM
mittee. called for the suspension of
the United Brotherhood of Carpen-
ters and Joiners. the second largest
international union in America.
The resolution TO withdraw the charter
OF the Csrpenters' union was the result
OF the failure Of the organization TO re-
frain from alleged encroaching upon jur-
isdiction awarded the machinistH. coupled
with the Carpenters unions attitude to-
ward tho tederation.
GOmpers Pleads for Moderation.
In the course OF the debate Samuel
0oTnpers, president Of the federation,
said:
I'VE are not safe from dlsintegration
and failure II we lose sight OF the ideals
Of human brotherhood"
John b. Lennon. opposing the expulsion
OF the carpenters. said
we are not safe from disruption"
Andrew Fhiruseth. secretary Of the Sea-
mans Union Of the Pacific Coast. de-
clared his belief that the Carpenters'
union was deliberately seeking to compel
the federation TO withdraw the charter.
During the hour in which charges were
hurled at them and speaker after speaker
taunted them with bad faith. the big
delegation Of carpenters sat silent.
The carpenters were accused Of dis
nantling and setting up machinery in
buildings IN various cities and with claim
ing the right 10 do such work IN de-
fiance OF the express commands OF the
federation convention IN Philadelphia
last year
Furuseth IN his speech said: Il prefer
the charge that the claim put forth by
the carpenters IL put up scientifically
and purposely 70 bring about expulsion" +"
Compromise Agreed Upon.
George L. Berry. president Of the Print
ing Pressmen's union. offered a substitute
for the adjustment committees resolution.
He moved that a committee OF five rep-
resentattves Of international unions. with
President 0ompers. be selected TO attend
the convention Of the carpenters and try
to get them 70 recede from the stand
they had taken. Berrys substitute was
carried.
The program today called for the pres
entetion OF more than fifty resolutions,
and for the election OF officers IL was
not anticipated that any candidate would
be named IN opposition TO President
0ompers for reelection.
VIII Organise Unemployed.
Initial steps toward organising the un-
employed men OF the United states were
taken yesterday by the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor IN convention here.
Organizers. acting under direction Of
local central bodies OF various parts OF
the country. are 10 undertake the work
IN conjunction with the executive council
OF the federation. The plan was an
nounced by tho executive council. which
recommended that the task be started ss
soon az practicable. The convention ap-
proved the councils recommendation.