New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-20
Labor Upholds
Gompers' War
On Pacifisn1
American Alliance Is In
dorsed by Vote of
21,579 to 402
tStdf Correspondence

BUFFALO, Nov. 19.-The American
Federation of Labor, by vote of 21,-
$40 to 402, to-day indorsed the action of
Samuel Gompers in organizing the
American Alliance for Labor and De-
mocracy to combat pro- -Germanism and
pacifsm within the ranks Of organized
labor.
The vote, taken after bitter debate,
led by ]. Moston Barnes, Of the Peo-
ple's Council, is the first test Of pacifist
strength in the convention. Some OF
the pacifst leaders tried 10 avert the
test first by motion to lay the report
Of the executive council indorsing the
American Alliance on the table, and
when that failed, by motion to Meth
er indorse nor disapprove.
Both motions were beaten, and then
Joseph Bowen, of New York, leader of
the bricklayers, demanded a roll call,
that all might "show their colors to
the world.'
All of the allied organizations within
the federation sustained Mr.. Gompers,
with the exception of the international
Ladies' Garment Workers Union, the
leaders of which declined to record
their 1923 votes, on the ground that
they were not interested in the matter.
Those voting against Gompers were
Joseph d. Cannon, of the Mine, Mill
and Smelter Workers, who cast Al OF
the votes of his organization, the other
80 going for Gompers: John P. Burke
and Maurice Labelle. OF the Pulp and
Paper Makers, with 65 votes; Jacob
Margolis, Of the Hat and Cap Makers,
who cast 20 of the organizations 81
votes, with Max Zuckerman casting 20
for Gompers and Max Zabrisky de-
clining TO cast his 90; Cornelius Foley,
who cast 70 Of the 39S votes of the bar
bers; ]. Mahlon Barnes, who cast SO
of the 4l6 votes of the Cigarmakers;
Morris Silberstein. VINO cast the votes
of 81 New Yorh Furriers, and lsidor
Buchbinder. who cast IL votes for the
Neckwear Makers of New York. The
balance of the anti votes came from
small unions with single votes.
Alliance Endorsement Attacked
The fight began when James Duncan,
vice president Of the federation, pre-
sented a report from the executive
council indorsing the work of the
American Alliance.
Barnes, who has been prominent in
the Socialist party, opposed the accept
ance of the report on the ground that
the Alliance was unpatriotic, and de-
uounced its efforts in opposition to the
Peoples Council.
John Ii. Walker, president OF the
Illinois Federation of Labor, defending
the action of Governor Lowden. OF llli-
nois, declared the labor movement was
infested with German agents seeking
70 advance the cause of kaiserism.
John McNulty, Of the Metal Trades,
declared that Walker understated the
case.
81 am satisfied" he said, that there
is large number Of paid, and very
well paid, German agents in the ranks
CT American labor. | proved this TO
my own satisfaction on my recent trip
70 the West coast"
Gompers Admits He's a Patriot
Rose Shapiro, leader of the New
York Ladies Garment Workers, inter-
rosed an attack on "Shonts and
Shontsesses," after which Mr.. Gompers
took the floor.
= al have been accused" he began, "of
being an American patriot. plead
guilty 70 that charge. | have been
accused Of associating with the enc
mieg Of labor. answer that charge
by saying that will carry lobor's ban
rer OF hope anywhere"
The opposition led by Barnes he
compared 20 the Bolshevki in Russia.
on the rollcall there were surprises,
II having been expected that some Of
tbs more radical organizations would
cast their strength against the admin
tstysfion. On the contrary, even the
dsIsoate 81 the Milwaukee Central
Trades Union, James y. Blakely. voted