New-York tribune., 1919-06-09
Mooney Strike
Plan Opposed
In Federation
Canvass of Delegates to
Atlantic City Convention
Indicates That Only IS
Per Cent Favor Walk-out

Ol0!J Correspondence
ATLANTIC CITY, June $50 far as
the American Federation Of Labor is
concerned, there will be no general
strike in behalf Of Thomas j. Mooney
on July 4, or any other day. This
statement is based on a canvass of the
delegates to the thirty-ninth annual
convention, which opens tomorrow, by
a member of the executive council. The
canvass indicates that of the 33,S49
votes in the convention, not more than
Is per cent will be cast in favor of
resolution indorsing the strike proposal
OF the lnternational Workers Defence
Committee, organized by those who have
taken charge of Moneys case
The plan of MONEYS friends in the
radical wing of the Federation to OBJ
tam its Endorsement for the strike pro-
gramme of the International Workers
Defence Committee and the unexpected
resignation of John R.. Alpine as third
vice-president of the Federation were
the chief topics of discussion among the
ton, telegraphed from Chicago to the
executive council, is known to but few
of the delegates now here, the council
taking no action on it and making no
announcement pending his reply to a
telegram asking that he reconsider and
come here at once.
Resignation. Averts Fights
Alpine's resignation heads off one
of two possible fights for the execu-
tive council, he having fallen into dis
favor. with a considerable element
among the trade unionists, who have
protested that he is not aggressive
enough and spends too little time on
Federation matters His reason for re-
signing at this time is trouble in the
plumbers and steam filters organiza- a.
ton, of which he is president.
Joseph Valentine, fifth vice -presi-
dent of the Federation, and president
of the moulders, is opposed by the same
group. He is here, but has not in
dicated his position. No candidate has
yet come forward for his or Alpine S
place.
The annual fight on Samuel Gompers
for president bobbed up to day for a
few minutes and then subsidized, when
James Duncan, of Quincy, Mass. first
vice president of the Federation, an
rounced that under no circumstances
or conditions would he oppose Mr.
Gompers. The report that Duncan
friend of Gompers for more than thir-
ty years, had broken with him, cheeret
the radical element immensely. Dun
can is a strict trade unionst, but he
could have had the solid support O
the radicals were he a candidate.
His declination to stand leaves th'
field clear to Gompcrs. The canvass O
the delegates now here and those ell
route whose position on the Moone,
strike plan is known, indicates TIA
the chief support of the project will
come from the machinists and the al
lied needle trades Of New York City
1t is, however, by no means certai
that the needle workers will vote fo
a strike.
The international Association o
Molders. OF which Mooney is a nam
Der, will oppose any strike. 1t will
join the majority in declaring tha
Mooney and his co-defendant Billings
should, as a matter of elementary jus
tice. be given a new trial
The Mooney vote will, it is expected
be the high water mark of the >radica
element On other proposals the radi
Gals, judging from present indication:
will be more badly beaten. For thi
reason it is expected that comparativ i've
N y few radical proposals will be Tough
Tor on the floor. Among those whic
it is thought will not be brought up i