The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-11-02
POLITICAL PROGRAM OF
GOMPERS VIEW ED
WITH DISTRUST
BY THE CONSERVATIVES
Official Organ Beliyeve Cam.
paign Was IIl.AdyiSed.


Chicago, H., Nov. Organized la
Dor throughout the United States is
looking forward with keenest interest
t. the annual convention of the
American Federation Of Labor, which
is TO assemble in Minneapolis week
after next. There is no coneealing
the fact that the rank and ME Of the
organization looks upon the approach
ing gathering as the most important
in the history Of the federation. which
extends over quarter of a century.
There is a feeling. which has scarcely
yet been given expression. that the
organization is approaching a crisis
in It's career
To put the situation in plain words,
II is beccming recognized among the
more intelligent of the labor element
that the political program of Presi-
dent Gompers and his advisers he's
proved a Frost Some Of the promi-
nent leaders do not hesitate even now
to say so. If the elections next Tues
day are disastrous to the plans Of the
American Federation of Labor or. in
other words, If the congressional can
didates that the federation has mark
ed for defeat are reelected by normal
majorities, il Is safe to say that Mr..
Gompers reputation as leader will
suffer severely That the reaction
against his leadership will be sufici-
emily strong to result in his overthrow
at the Minneapolis convention is
scarcely probable under any circum-
stances. He has successfully guided
the organization for years and his
personal popularity among the rank
and file is believed to be sufficient to
keep him In power. But 1t is also
probable that he win be forced to en-.
tirely abandon his political schemes
or put them upon wholly new basis
While the radical element OF organ.
lied labor enthusiastically embraced
the scheme Of going into politics, it
Is at the same time true that the
more conservative OF the organiza-
tions, such as the railway brother
hoods, the printers, and others. have
been cnly mkewam IN support Of the
political propaganda. The sentiment
Of those opposed to President Comp
ers is well set forth In an editorial
appearing In the official organ this
week Of on OF the strongest and most
influential labor organizations IN
America Tie writer says, Ia part
we reg {, but are not surprised
at the apathy Of the unorganized and
the absence Of enthusiasm on the part
OF the orea zed workers IN the politi
cal oampai The executive council
OF the Anne IAN Federation of Labor
must feel d oouraged at the coolnes.
with which heir plans were received
and disappointed at the lack Of inter
+ est shown hy those ,tive In the move
! ment 1t is not diffioult to accoun
p fer this unfortunate situation ThosI
responsible can not plead ignoranc
I of the methods of trade unions or e
= the sentiments OF their memberships
No one kaows better than Presiden
! Gompers that trade mionists tn
a world over are stauneh believers il
e self government, that they have cor
= hdenoe ia their ability to decide 70
Z themselves what policy Is best Il
them 70 adopt how and by whom
Y shall be carried ont, ANA how Ia
funds necessary for It's carrying og
d shall be provided They lcfuse to b
committed 70 any program in th