Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-31
GOMPERS GETS
COLD WELCOME
AT CONVENTION
LABOR LEADER HAS DISPUTE
AT TRADES CONGRESS
ATTITUDE OF A. F. OF L. Bit
TERLY DENOUNCED
European Deleeates Condemn Co.
Called EqulvocaI Attitude Of Union
Labor Toward International
Organization
IBy Associated Press. !

hARlS, Aug. 3U.-Ihe SIKH internn-
tlonal trades congress opened to-
- day. Among the subjects dis
cussed were the reduction Of hours Of
labor, regulations governing work In
domiciles and an appeal to put an end
to international strike-breaking.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor, and
Dr. J. Eads How, the philanthroplst.
represented America. Mr.. Gonpers
submitted q proposal for the organiza-
tion of an international federation Of
workmen, while not affecting the indie
| pendence OF the workmen of the re-
spective countries, would create In
ternational fraternity and solidarity"
A motion by DR.. How urged trades
unions of all countries to fight against
the movement Of workmen from one
country to another in times of eco
nomic depression when strikes were
threatened.
Sampel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, was
the dramatic center Of the first days
session of the congress, when several
European delegates bitterly denounced
what they claimed to be the equivocal
attitude of the American Federation
with reference to joining the interna-
tional movement
Mr.. Gompers in reply insisted that
the problems and policies of American
trades unionism were intermingled
with American traditions and ideas.
Nevertheless, as an evidence that
the United States was anxious for in
ternational cooperation, Mr.. Gompers
| introduced d proposal favoring world
wide organization that would defend
the rights and interests of all and
create international fraternity and
solidarity.
Clash Over Status
The clash came over the question of
the exact status of Mr.. Gompers and
the American Federation of Labor in
the congress.
Mr.. Gompers' statement waslreceived
coldly. Several delegates jumped to
their feet to protest. Hueber, an Aus
trian delegate, vehemently character
ized Mr.. Gompers explanation as
mockery.
1--WE thank you for your opinions"
he said pointedly but we do not need
them. Your policies may not permit
you to come to us; but one day, Amer
lean workmen, you will realize that
your policies, are erroneous and you
will see the necessity of joining the
international confederation"
Mr.. Gompers' Reply
Mr.. Gompers, stinging under the re-
buke, arose to reply:
II regret" he exclaimed, that you
have miSconStrued my remarks as an
attack on European trades uuionism. l
repeat we sincerely desire internation-
al federation, but only so far as it
preserves the American conception of
unionism. If Europe does not want us
it will be unfortunate. Nevertheless,
we will continue to do everything pos.
sible to attain the goal for which the
human race is struggling-in
fraternity and unity"
Hueber retorted that it was seven
years since the Americans began talk
ing about joining the International
confederation and it was about time a
decision was reached.
Ends Controversy
M Legien, the international secre-
tary, ended the controversy with the
statement that Gompers was only a
guest, but he hoped that that official
was convinced that the moment had
arrived for the American Federation of
Labor to join forces with their Euro
pean brethren.
The regular business of the confer
ence was then resumed and resolutions
were adopted in sympathy with the
strikers in Sweden and Barcelona and
appealing to the unionists of the world
to strive for the abolition of war.
The newspapers devote much space
to the International congress and the
significance of the presence of Mr..
Gompers. The Journal des Debats
points out that the American Fedora
tion of Labor and the French General
Federation of Labor, which did not join
in the last two conferences, represent
opposing conceptions of trades union
ism.
Mr.. Gompers, representing the
American sentiment" the paper says,
lis utterly opposed to the building up
of unionism on a foundation of social
ism politics or open revolution. In
stead, his work lies in the direction of
developing the real interests of the
workmen and solving the problem of
labor and capital"
Eighteen countries are now repre-
sented at the congress, and the secre-
tary announced a membership in affi-
lated organizations of 4,246,000, an in
crease over 1908.
The conference passed a resolution of
sympathy with the workmen of Swe-
den and Spain, and appealed to the
workmen of the world to struggle for
the abolition of war.