The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-08-31
COMPERS JOLTS
union CONGRESS-
Arouses the Ire Of Austrian
Delegate.
THANKED FOR OPINIONS

international Gathering In Paris En-.
llvened by Verbal pyroteehnlcs
That Followed Explanation Of Atti-
tude Assumed by American Work.
ln1mcn Toward Worldwide Ali.
anoe--Toilcrs In United states
Scored For Not Joining Movement.
Paris, Aug. 31.-Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, was the dramatic center OF
the first days session of the sixth
international trades unions congress,
when several European delegates bit
terly denounced what they claimed to
be tho equivocal attitude of the
American Federation of Labor with
reference TO joining the international
movement. Mr.. Gompers needed all
his old.time energy to repel tho at
tack. He insisted that the problems
and policies of American trades
unionism were so intermingled with
American traditions and ideas that
Americans could Ill spare the time to
encounter the influence of European
leaders where the trades unionism
tendencies were temperamentally diff
ferent.
Nevertheless, as an evidence that
the United States was anxious for in
ternational cooperation. Mr.. Gompers
introduced a proposal favoring world
, wide organization which would "de.
fend the rights and interests of all
and create international fraternity
and solidarity"
The clash came over the question
OF the exact status of Mr.. Gompers
and the American Federation of La
Dor In the conference. Mr.. Gompers
explained that for the present he was
merely an auditor, but was ready to
give his opinions. II has been the
aspiration of the American workmen
10 come into closer contact with the
labor movement in Europe, as they
were profoundly attached TO the
cause of the solidarity of labor. One
obstacle in the way of afliliaiion, he
said, was the feeling of antagonism
that existed in Europe toward Ameri-
can trades unionism. Moreover. It
was feared that the American work
men might be compelled to subord-
nate their policies to those of men
knowing little or nothing about Amer
lean industrial conditions and prob.
lens.
PERSONALLY" he continued g" have
no authority to pledge the atfiliation
OF the American Federation of Labor,
but | believe II will come In time"
Mr.. Gompers' statement was ro-
ceved coldly. Several delegates
Jumped to their feet to protest. Hue
ber an Austrian delegate. vehement
ly characterized Mr.. Gompers' expla.
nation as cookery. lie. like others,
had been under the impression that
the Americans meant business, and
that Mr.. Gompers was the official del
egate from that country. Otherwise
American resolutions happened to be
printed in the official program.
1--WE thank you for your opinions"
he said, pointedly, but we do not
need them. Your policies may not
permit you 70 come TO MS, but one
1ay, American workmen, you will
realize that your policies are erro-
neous, and you will see the necessity
If joining the international fedora
ton"
Mr.. Gompers, stinging under the
rebuke but unflinching arose TO reply
i regret" he exclaimed, that you
have misconstrued my remarks as an
attack upon European trades union
ism. repeat, we are sincerely de-
sirous of International federation. but
only so far as il preserves the Amer
lean conception of unionism. II Eu-
rope does not want us ii will be un-
fortunate. Nevertheless VIC will con
tinue to do everything possible to at
tain the goal for which the human
race Is struggling the international
fraternity and unity"
Huebcr arose and retorted that Il
was now seven years since the Amer
leans began talking about joining the
International confederation, and II
was about time decision was reach
cd. ut now appears" he concluded,
that Mr., Gompers il merely on
pnUuUo nf 1fupovarv