The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-01-18

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ence in the labor movement, when
ever any professor, or student, or So
called social worker, many Of whom
have PHI. d. and other titles, desired
any real information regarding labor
and labor conditions they have invari.
ably applied to the men whom youf
association characterizes as having
little weight, and as reactionaries,
and lacking in knowledge Of econo.
mics.
OF course, you know that the Rev.
Mr.. mcfarland has issued circular
letter asking the recipients to pro.
test against the appointees. 1t may
not be uninteresting to call to your
mind a sentence or two of Mr.. Mac
farland's address to the delegates at
the Atlanta, 1911, convention Of the
American Federation Of Labor. After
stating that he was writing to his wife
every night his impressions of. the
days proceedings and of the men whs
participated in them at the conven
ton, he said:
This is an historic meeting
charged with most serious and solemn
tasks. like its profoundly ordered
ways and measures.
Tribute to Gompers.
"Old Samuel Gompers (the descrip-
tive adjective, Mr.. President, is in the
nature of a term of affection, and
relates to your length of service rath-
er than to the number Of your days)
gave his address today. Had he been
the leading actor in the Old Tesla
ment story of the Prophet Daniel,
that story would have been the same.
His companions in the apartment
would have taken him for one after
their own heart. But I more than
suspect that the old mans heart is
as big as his head, and his address
today was q classic in economics, an
epitome of history, and moral phil
hpic that would do credit to an in
spired ancient or modern prophet.
TO READ THAT ADDRESS IS TO
TAKE A COURSE IN POLITICAL
ECONOMY.
II James Duncan We're to wear
black frock coat and a white tie to
set forth his measured dignity in
fitting garb, I would never be taken
as the representative of the churches
at this convention. His review today
of his recent trip abroad was a mas
terpiece of serious craftsmanship,
wide information, broad vision and
keen discernment.
John Mitchell has grown still shy
er during a year, when he has grown
to be bigger man than ever in the
estimation of his fellows and of the
world at large, because he has gone
through the crucible Of a severe test
Of loyalty.
If I were to go back to the local
passionate again, I would like to be
called to the Presbyterian church at
Bloomington. ILL.,, that I might have
John Lennon as my senior deacon to
keep me in the straight and narrow
way.
Once Saw 1t Differently.
why is it that all our moral lead
ers do not see that in the American
Federation Of Labor, with it's tried
and proven economic machinery, the
most gigantic economic force of any
day or generation, we have, in the
midst of our seething, threatening So
VIGIL uAA OoI O1At 6IedL safety value,
one great conserving, constructive So.
ctal agency, one clear speaking voice
amid the many clamoring tongues, so
many of which, 20"
Are like infants crying in the night,
Like infants crying for the light,
And with no language but cry
one great evolutionary force that is.
more than anything else, bringing Or
der out of chaos. because it mingles
hight With heat and serves not only to
lncite but also to restrain. My pro-
found belief is that, far more than
they know, these men hold the des-
TIMES Of human social order.
You can readily see, gentlemen.
that my utterances need be somewhat
cautious and guarded, because, at
least in an ideal sense, I commit by
them g. constituency of 100000
churches and 100000 men and
women, and the utterances which I
am now to make are not without pre-
meditation
Now compare that statement with
the circular, the protest bearing your
name, and the circular letter issued
by Mr.. mcfarland, and then COM
pare 1t again with Mr.. Paul Kellogg's
article In the Survey.
You should all be Thoroughly
ashamed of yourselves, and you will
have cause to be for this piece of
stupidity and arrogance.
Very truly yours
SAMUEL GOMPERS.
President American Federation of
Labor
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