New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1908-10-28


fered honor did not hesitate to de
cline it when learned the sentiment
Of my colleagues. Before the recent cleo
tion / was positively offered the nom
nation for congress, which | declined
without hesitation. In view of these
facts and the fact that | have ever
held aloof from politics the accusation
is absurd"
It is evident that his followers be-
lieved him then, as they have contin-
ued him in power to the present day
In justice it should be said that it is
the executive board Of the federation,
following the positive orders Of the
body itself, which has precipitated the
organized labor forces into the pres
ent campaign. Mr.. Gompers is only
acting as the head Of the organizatio
at the organizations express command.
Labor's Official Voice.
The federation itself is composed of
practically all the trades unions on the
American continent. It's voice, there
fore, may be regarded as the official
voice of labor. It has withstood at
tackS from capitalism on one side and
from socialism on the other. Gompers
as its head has borne the brunt Of
these attempts to destroy the fedora
ton and through it labor unionism.
These efforts Of it's enemies to under
mine or overthrow it have had appar-
emily but little effect on the American
Federation of Labor It has grown
steadily year by year and is now the
strongest numerically, financially and
IN influence that it has ever been It's
other chief officers are Frank Morri-
son, the secretary, who comes from the
printers Of Chicago, and John B. Len
non Of New York, the treasurer, who
has been in Office about as long as
Gompers
The American Federation of Labor
started practically from nothing Com
pers was its architect. For years it
had it's chief Offices in a New York ten
ement house. Its officials served with
out pay. 1t was slender in finances
and membership. Step by step it grew,
however, following conservative meth
DDS, but forging ahead until it is easily
the greatest trades union association
on earth. 1t has led innumerable
strikes and, according to the claims Of
its officers. has won majority of
them. 1t has been foremost In the eff
forts to raise wages and to better the
conditions Of the workingmen, to short
en- the hours Of labor, to take children
out Of the factories and put them into
school, where they belong, to oppose
court injunctions against union mem
bers and leaders, to make its lodge
rooms debating clubs and schools for
the workers, to fight intemperance and
I to be a force not only for the uplift-
ment Of the toilers, but for the suplift-
ment of humanity. Taken all in all,
the federation and kindred bodies have
constituted the most significant and
hopeful movement in the close Of the
nineteenth and the beginning of the
twentieth centuries. Its chief glory is
that it teaches the poorest and hum
blest members of society how to help
themselves. Its power is seen by the
peaceful armies that march on Labor
day. Its followers believe that It's
work is only begun, but that it will yet
revolutionize Industrial conditions and
usher in happier age.
Does Not Care For Money.
When Samuel Gompers. the man who
has had such a potent part In bringing
about this peaceful revolution, was
asked If he was rich man he seemed
surprised, then amused
DO you own any real estate7' con-
tinued the ouestioner.
s'Not shoyelful Of sand"
'Any stocks, bonds or securities
anything from which you may clip
coupons?'
'Not a share of any thing. have not
an Investment have no estate, and
when I die all will leave my family
will be $3.50, my cigarmakers' union
insurance.
Il have no other property. I have no
ambition to have any. do not care
for money. I believe can get the few
things want, If not as president Of the
American federation, then at my trade
or some other work. am poor. I am
| proud to say I am poor
"But you have had chances to make
| money!"
Il have. Offers and opportunities
have come to me, things which would
have made me money. I was interest
ed in other things"
| That is the whole story. He has
been interested in other things, such as
helping his fellows and making bet
ter day on earth. From that supreme
| duty he could not be lured by offers OF
wealth or Office. Any one who won
ders at the power Of Samuel Gompers
with his organization and with work
ingmen generally viii find the secre,
here.