The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-10-09
GOMPERS In EUROPE-DEBS'
VISIT TO AUSTRALIA--NEW
S-HOUR MOVEMENT.
by Peter Power.


From all reports the reception
accorded Samuel Gompers during
his European trip. which is now
completed, was at no time enthu-
siastic or even cordial. Gompers'
connection with the National Civic
Federation and his association
with such "malefactors of great
wealth" as August Belmont, Car
negie, Frick, Gary and other en-
emies of labor, whose regulations
extend beyond the seas, as we'll as
his opposition to Independent
political action, to which move
ments the European workers are
partial, handicapped the A. +. of
l.. president from the start.
Gompers made two visits to
England, two to France and spent
some days in Germany, Belgium,
Austria, Switzerland and Italy. At
his first visit in Great Britain he
was given respectful attention, al
though frequently heckled at
meetings that he addressed. Then
he went to France, and immedi-
ately got into row at a mass
meeting in Paris with the leading
labor men. Next he visited Bel
GUM, and the unionists of that
country are writing letters to
America complaining that Com
pers was only interested in search
ing out the poverty in their midst
for his syndicate articles, and
showed little concern about the
immense industrial, political and
cooperative movements that ex-
list in Belgium.
In Germany Gompers encoun-
tered almost the solid opposition
of the laborites and their news
papers were unsparing in their
Icriticisms of his policies. Re-
turning to the international labor
congress in Paris, Gompers virtu-
ally ran foul of all the delegates
from the IS countries who repre-
otultu 1pZDV,OoU hC
Austrian delegates charged that
heemore nearly represented the
views of capital than labor, and
the Swiss workers declared that
they enjoyed as much freedom,
and, in some respects, more than
those for whom their visitor pre-
tended to speak.
But the unkindest cut of all
came at the recent British Trade
Union congress in Ipswich, at
which over 500 delegates, repre-
senting about 100000 workers,
were assembled. Gompers came
to say farewell and he was given
a clear perception of the British
working class mind by contrast
When Gompers had concluded his
speech he received scattering ap-
plause. Shortly afterward j. Keii
Hardie, leader of the British Labor
party and an opponent of Com.
pers' policies, was introduced, ant
received an ovation that spoke
volumes regarding the sentiment
of the Britons in relation to the
'so-called American labor policies.
Hardie declared that labor is
power in the British parliament,
and intimated that in the Ameri-
can congress labor receives no
consideration, because the work
ers are unrepresented, but are
locked upon by the old capitals
tic party politicians as mere vot-
ing chattels.
AS a proper solution for the
supposed strained relations" that
exist between the diplomats and
politicians of Europe, the interna-
tional labor congress just held in
Paris declared war upon war. The
French and German delegates
created a tremendous demonstra-
ton by clasping hands and an
nouncing that the workers of one
country would not fight the work.
ers of the other country, but
would rather turn their guns upon
those who attempted to incite
war.
The greatest demonstration that
occurred in the British Trade
Union congress at Ipswich, which
assembled few days after the
Paris congress adjourned, was
upon the adoption of a resolution