The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-11-05

'RlNCEION UNION: I'll
Socialist wing in the federation and
had just ruled the speaker of the floor.
But didn't you rule the other way
this morning?" shouted the delegate
! Indignantly.
I'm whose case?" inquired the chair.
'Oh, don't know whose, butt
'Then," drawled Gompers in his
most urbane manner, 1.-The chair is
willing to confess that it is unable to
answer the question which the dele
gate is unable to PROFOUND"
MI. Gompers' advocacy Of Bryan
! and his launching of the federation into
the congressional campaign two years
ago called down on his head storm
Of attacks. Among other things, he
was accused of desiring Office himself.
1t is not the first time the accusation
has been made. 1t was heard in even
more virulent form seventeen years
| ago. Then Gompers answered it in
this fashion,:
II have been accused of itching for
politics. OF the number of appointive
positions offered me I will say moth
ing. A year ago nomination for SEN
| ator-equtvalent to an election-was
rendered me. I felt I had not the
right to accept or decline it without
consulting the organized workmen of
New York. AS did not seek the prof.
fered honor I did not hesitate to de-
cline it when I learned the sentiment
of my colleagues. Before the recent cleo
ton was positively offered the NOM
1nation for congress-, which declined
without hesitation. In view of these
facts and the fact that I have ever
held aloof from politics the accusation
is absurd"
1t is evident that his followers be-
leved 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 organization
at the organizations express command.
Labor's Official Voice.
The federation itself is composed of
practically all the trades unions on the
American continent. Its 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 its 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. It has led innumerable
strikes and, according to the claims Of
Its officers, has won majority of
them. 1t has been foremost in the ef-
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
to be force not only for the uplift-
ment Of the toilers, but for the uplift-
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. It's followers believe that its
work is only begun, but that it will yet
revolutionize Industrial conditions and
usher in a 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.