not telling me so, as I will surely find them out. Generally, Gehr is as open as a book on such matters with me, which leads me to believe that if these organizers have been ordered here, they have not yet arrived, or at least have not made their presence known to Gehr. However, he did tell me that he had been informed that James Kennedy had got a commission, and was going to assume his duties on the first of March. I can now see that there is going to be a clash of authority when Howells returns here, as he and Gehr have exactly opposite views on the system of organization. Gehr is bitterly opposed to the Group System, and Howells thinks it is the only way to organize District No. 15. Gehr said, that when he came down here he had not intended to remain here, but had simply intended to see how things were going, and then return north and go into Wyoming, but he had found the Trinidad Local in such a dilapidated condition that he had
The Pinkerton Labor Spy. 155
decided to remain here and try to put it on its feet again. He then went on to criticize old Bill Howells for letting the local go to pieces after he (Gehr) had laid the foundation for the best local in the district. I then asked him if the national officers had promised anything for District No. 15 while he was back there in attendance at the convention. He said they had not promised him very much, but he felt that whenever we could convince John Mitchell that we had restored harmony in Districtt No. 15, and were all working together, we could safely expect something from the National. We then all went to dinner and I saw no more of Gehr until after supper, and then the talk was almost entirely on Jim Ritchie's case, and the one between Hefferle and the other fellow. At 10.30 P. M. I left Gehr and went to my room and retired for the night.
Yours respectfully,