Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-20
LABOR FEDERATION
FIRM IN SUPPORT
OF UNITED STATES
UNION BODY VOTES
~ OVERWHELMINGLY LARGE
MAJORITY TO BACK NATION
LCWDEN ATTACK Is DENOUNc-
80

buffalo, Nov. 20.-Suddenly chal-
ieaged to test OF strength by the pa
fists, President Gompers and The
American Federation of Labor last
night met and defeated the anti-war
faction In their organization by the
most overwhelming roll call vote in
he history of the labor movement in
this country.
The record vote-21,579 TO 4O2-
zeal what officials tonight consider a
death blow to pro-Germanism and pa
ciism in labor's ranks. 1t was labOr's
announcement in favor of war to a
nnish.
The vote was taken after a long and
bitter debate. led by j. Mahl0n Barnes
on the question of indorsing Gomper's
organization of the American Council
for Labor and Democracy as opposed
in the Peoples Peace Council, and
concluded by President Gompers
This is test OF strength in the
convention which some of the paci.
fist leaders tried TO avoid first. by
motion to lay the report OF The eXecu-
tive council indorsing the American
Allinace on the table, and when that
failed by a motion neither to indolse
nor disapprove.
Both motions were beaten on
voice vote and Joseph Bowen of New
York, leader of the brieklayers, de-
manded roll call, that all might
show their colors to the world
In the vote all the larger organize
tions within the federation declared
for Gonpers, with the exception Of
the International Ladies' Garment
Workers Union. the leaders of which
declined to record their S23 votes on
the ground they were not interested
in the matter.
The first began when Vice Presi-
dent James Duncan brought in the
executive councils report indorsing
the work OF the American Alliance
Barnes, who for years has been
prominent in the Socialist party, and
more recently has been in charge Of
the labor section OF the Peoples Coun-
Gil. opposed acceptance on the ground
that the alliance was unpatriotice
and denounced its efforts against the
Peoples Council.
Governor Lowden. of Illinois, was
denounced for using troops to pre-
gent the council meeting there and
Governor Burnquisl of Minnesota was
called unfair because. after banishing
tho council from Minneapolis, he
spoke at thes alliance convention.
5ohn Fischer of Montana demanded
thal Mr. Gompers define patriotism
p4trlotism," said Fischer, SIS a
eru being lsel to cover all sorts Of
tgrauica action RI Ike to know
SHAT IA mean by 1t before | state
ans. position
Eoull have 10 restrain your criti
cisW .oa while replied Gompers.
recoguiE.ug John 7 Walker, president
ID .0e'lllnaIs Federation of Labor
Waiker defending he action of
G0Yerp1l LoWden declared the labor
movement ~ lnfes Ell with German
agents seeking t. advance the cause
ct Naaerism.
fEele ere said to be-" said he. "a
III IT people with union cards com
lng rs near to preaching sedltion and
reason as they can without paying
.as penalty for those crimes. | am
"a favor of informing those spies, Of
~ al and unofficial, for duration Of
he war, and ii that period IL not
uliaient then | stand for more vigor.
qua treatment"
Iou have had free discussion and
goten everything off your chests that
YOU had on them" President Com
pers said as prelude to nayng his
assailants He then proceeded to dc
nounce Barnes and all those who sided
with him and attacking the Socalis
party.