New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-07
Compers and
T. R. Holly
Debate Riots
Dramatic Scene Enacted Be-
fore Russian Mission at
Carnegie Hall
Mayor Restores
Leaders to Order
Labor President Angered a,
Colonels Reference to
Race Murders

amazed, sat on the platform Of Car
negie Hall last night and watched Colo
mel Roosevelt and Samuel Gompers
come 20 a violent alteration over the
East st. Louis race riots. while the
crowd tha. filled the auditorium booed
and shouted.
The persistence and determination Of
Mayor Mitchell, who acted as chairman.
succeeded at length in restoring order.
For several moments before he regained
control of the meeting Gompers and
the Colonel were on their feet, shaking
their fingers at each other and shout
ing things which were lost in the
mighty roar that filled the hall.
The police were just preparing to
intervene and calm the audience when
the antagonists finally acknowledged
the Mayors repeated calls for order
and took their seats again. The up
roar died away, and Ambassador
Bakhmeteff, who was waiting to deliver
his address while the squabble went
on, was able to speak.
The Colonel began it. Before. his
speech of welcome to the commission
he took occasion to say several burning
things concerning the Illinois riots.
Need Justice at Home
Before we do justice to Others" he
shouted in his most piercing voice, "it
behooves us 70 do justice within our
borders. | refer to the race riots in
East St. Louisa race riot for which,
so far as | can see, there was re
provocation.
at behooves US to express our con-
demnation of acts that give the lie to
our laws, and to say that 1t is lmpos'
sible that there should be justification
! for mob violence. It is our duty to de-
/ mand that the governmental authori
/ ties shall use with ruthless severity
every power at their command TO pun
I ish those guilty Of murder. whether
committed by whites against blacks oi
| by blacks against whites 3,
He then launched forth into his ad,
dress to the Russian commission, but
/ Mr.. Gompers refused to consider the
incident closed. When he rose to SPEAK
his first words also dealt with me
riots. III.
~ ioin with you" he said. nodding
toward the audience, "and with MN,
turning toward the Colonel, in ex'
pressing my detestation Of the brutal
tiles committed in the East St LOUIS
race riots. However, wish that
had with me telegram received only
last night from Victor Olander, secre-
tary of the Illinois Federation Of LABOR
which explains the real cause OF the
trouble"
He then condemned the men who
have been bringing negro labor nortn,
"in an effort to undermine WORKING
conditions" and compared their actiV-
tiles to the work of the dark forces
of autocratic Russia
The Colonel Interrupts
Az the conclusion Of his address, the
Mavor stepped forward and started 10
introduce Ambassador Bakhmeteh, ou'
Roosevelt intervened.
"May | say a word? ~ he asked snarp-
lv and then plunged into further de-
nunciation Of the riots, aiming ms re-
marks more at Mr.. Gompers than az
the audience.
committed on these helpless men ne
cried. an the past | have heard these
same excuses advanced Tor poefoihs Wy
the Russian autocracy.
A shout went up, but its tone was
different from the applause when had
greeted the other addresses. IL was
high and angry, and there were audible
"Boos."
~ would do everything for the labor.
ing man except that which Is wrong,
shouted the Colonel, his face crimson.
al don't give snap Of my hnger ior
any telegram from the head OF the
strongest labor union in Illinois"
Rv this time the yells of the crowd
had become deafening. They drowned
out entirely the Colonels next re-
marks. but he walked over 10 where
Gompers was sitting and shaking his
finger in his face, gave him their 1uli
benefit.
Russians Are Astounded
The head Of the American Fedora
.ion of Labor replied heatedly, but his
words were also lost in the noise that
filled the hall. The police looked about
them uneasily. The Russian visitors
were plainly astounded.,
Roosevelt strode to the front OF the
platform and shouted 70 the frantic
crowd. 81 cannot sit motionless when,
directly or indirectly, an apology Is
made for the murder of the helpless"
Gompers was on his feet. his face
white with rage, shaking his finger at
the Colonel, but the Mayor. who had
been calling steadily for order: now
prevailed upon the angry r.en. What he
said had its effect, for they resumed
their seats. both extremely rufied. and
the meeting after simmering down con-
tinued.