The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-20
Delegates Almost Unani-
mously Indorse His Pa
triotic Stand
HE DENOUNCES THE
SOCIALIST PARTY
Pacifst Element Given
Every Chance, But Mus
ters No Strength
CBy Associated Press.)

BunaIO, NOV zU.-OnlOn laDof yes
terday put its stamp OF approval on
the attitude of Samuel Gompers,
president OF the American Federation
Of Labor, in working hand-in-hand
with President Wilson and placing
the needs Of the nation above all
other considerations in questions in
volving the workingman's part in q
vigorous prosecution of the war
against Germany.
The vote of confidence came after
more than three hours of debate In
which the pacifist element was Civ
en- ample opportunity to express it.
self. Out of a total OF $50 delegates
only is were recorded in opposition.
The garment workers of New York,
under the leadership OF Rose Sha-
piro, was the only organization re-
fusing to go on record on the roll
call.
The test of strength came upon q
report from the committee on reso-
lutions. The committee reported fav-
orably a resolution endorsing "the
patriotic work. OF the Alliance For
Labor and Democracy, which Mr..
Gompers took an active part in or
ganizing as an offset to the Peoples
Council. a pacifist organization.
The attack on the resolution was
led by DeleRate Barnes OF Philadel-
phia. He was supported, in addition
to Miss Shapiro, by Delegates Burka
OF the Sulphite workers, Joseph p.
Cannon Of the Mine workers and q
few others. The Alliance and Mr.
Gompers were defended by Dele
gates Walker of Illinois, Brown or
Photo Engravers, George Berry OF
the .Pressmen, Max 8. Hayes OF the
Typographical union, and Vice
president James Duncan. .F
Full Rein TO pisIoyaI.
The opposition discussed the high
cost OF living, the Arizona miners
strike, the Pacific coast shipbuilders'
fight, the street railway strike Of
Springfield, ILL.,, and the suppression
of foreign language newspapers, but
President Gompers gave them full
rein.
The supportsrs OF the resolution
did not raince words in condemning
the attituds of the pacihsts. x.z---
President Gompers closed the de-
bate in d ringing speech in defense
OF the Alliance and his own posi-
ton.
aBy those who have opposed the
report and the recommendation OF
this committee" he said, my name
was not always mentioned, but my
position was, and there is no differ
ence between the two. For instance,
made Of my hobnobbing with the
enemies Of labor. Now, have always
said this: I win so anywhere to
bring the message OF hope TO labor
even into the camp Of the enemy.
'If there is anyone who can bring
one utterance of mine. made any
where, that was not in the defense
of the rights OF laboring people, let
him do so. dare youl challenge
you'll"
The Peoples Council.
Mr.. Gompers went into the his,
tory OF the Peoples Council, which
he said was an outgrowth OF the
Socialists. He took full responsibility
for the calling of the Minneapolis
meeting Of the Alliance.
"The situation demanded" he said,
"that there should be a clear cut
distinction between what these peo-
pie represented, and what the trades
unions stood for. The fact Is that the
Socialists, since the Detroit conven-
ton when they failed TO break in,
have made war upon the American
discredtt 1t. They started the West
ern Labor union, The American
Labor union, and they started the
I. w. W., and finally they started the
socalled Peoples Council. In the one
instance 1t was rivalry to the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor, and in the
last It was hostility to the republic
Of the United States.
II do not know how many OF you
feel toward me-" said President
Gompers in conclusion. If ] am to
continue as president OF the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor 1t viii be
by your votes. You may vote against
me IL you wish. but must continue
on good terms with myself.
Will Fight For Country.
II am not neutral in this war.
Pacifist as ] have been all my life,
/ find there is a band OF murderers
abroad, and IL fail to defend my
children am not q pacihst but a
coward. President Wilson and the
members OF his cabinet were peace
loving men; know OF no militarist
in their number. But now they are
lighting men. And / publicly declare
viii continue 70 fight for the country
10 which owe all; the country
which I love and in which my hopes
and aspirations are bound up.
Z propose 70 do q mans duty in
helping to make this war the last
war Of this world ALI my energies
shall be laid at the feet OF America
and our allies to do What can to-
-.