The Washington times., 1904-01-17
LTHoUGH hardly labor center.

"A w washington Is the nome or |
some of the most prominent Ia
Dor leaders in the country. and
the headquarters of the most powerful
labor organization in the land. the
American Federation OF Labor, which is
the central organization of the laboring
men of the United States
Samuel Gompers. president Of the
American Federation Of Labor; Frank
Morrison, secretary OF the same Organi-
cation; James Duncan. national secre-
tary of the Granite Cutters National
Union and first vice president of the
American Federation OF Labor; n. w.
Sherman. president of the Central La
Dor Union and grand secretary of the
International Brotherhood Of Electrical
Workers: James O'Connell, third vice
president OF the American Federation of
Labor and president Of the Interna-
tional Association OF Machinists. and
George Preston. secretary treasurer OF
the International Association of Ma
chinists. all have their offices i'm the
city.
Men of Ability.
Every one of these men possesses
marked ability in his line Each has his
own ideas and the work of each is
stamped with his own personality. Each
is a man of tried experience and an or
ganization man Of long standing.
Taking them all in all, they are con-
sentative lot. Residence at the National
Capital, where a man sees many men
OF many minds" is apt to trim off the
rough edges and broaden him consider
ably. The effects Of such experience are
apparent in the actions of all the Wash
ington labor leaders. While they are
conservative. however. they are none
the less determined and prompt I'm ac-
tion. But they don't go off half-cocked.
They are great for counsel and amicable
discussion before taking radical steps.
Once they are convinced that their
course is the right one and that moth
ing can be gained by arbitration. they
fight. And when they fight they fight
for all that they are worth.
Below are sketches Of these interest
ing men, showing what they have done
and what they are doing TO entitle them
to the high positions they hold in the
labor world.
President Samuel Gompers.
Samuel Gompers. president of the
American Federation Of Labor and the
most conspicuous labor leader in the
United States. is a man upon whom
anyone would cast a second glance
when once his eye had fallen upon him.
Gompers possesses individuality TO
marked degree. In the first place. he is
unusual in appearance He is very
short and very broad and has an I'M
usually large head. Gompers cannot be
called handsome, and yet there is that
presence of magnetism about him that
prevents his being called ugly. In
word. Gompers is worth meeting and
worth talking TO.
As he looks at one from behind his
gold trimmed spectacles. his eyes show
that he was born with a good mind
which has been improved by study and
by the experience of an observing man.
His nose is prominent, his mouth is
large and mobile; firm. yet not wanting
in that saving quality-humor. The
whole expression of his face tells Of a
pugnacious nature whose Unborn COM
bativeness is tempered by the hard
bought lessons of many yesterdays.
AID Englishman by Birth.
Samuel Gompers was born in London.
England January %, 1880. of parents
who had migrated from Holland to the
throbbing metropolis of the British
Isles. His mother was OF Austrian de-
scent. while his paternal forefathers
were French. Little Samuel attended
the common schools of London from the
time he was six years Of age until he
reached his eleventh year, and then he
became a shoemaker's apprentice. Cob
bling did not suit Samuel and he pre-
vailed upon his parents to allow him to
take UP his fathers trade, that of cigar
making. He worked in a cigar factory
by day and studied at a night school.
In July. 1853. the Gompers family came
TO New York, and Samuel, then thirteen
years OF age. came with them. He con-
tinued working at his trade. and in 1864
he became a member of the Cigar Ma
kers' Union. Although only fourteen, he
took out a regular membership card,
which he has held ever since, and which
gives him the distinction of holding the