The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
RUSS WELCOME
HALTED AST. R.
.FLAYSGOMPERS
Labor Chiefs Views on East
st. Louis Riots Rouse
COlOnel's Wrath.
INTERRUPTED BY KISSES
Carnegie Hall Meeting in
Honor of Muscovite Visitors
Thrown Into Uproar.
INTERRUPTED BY KISSES

A sizzling controversy between Col.
Roosevelt and Samuel Gompers, presi-
dent Of the American Federation OF
Labor, swept a great meeting in Carne-
sic Hall last night far from its stated
purpose, which was to welcome and ap-
plaud the members OF the Russian war
mission who came to New York in the
afternoon.
The Colonel was angered to the point
Of fury by an assertion by Mr.. Gcmpers
that the race riots In East St Louis
were caused by the importation of
Southern negroes TO compete with white
labor in defiance OF warning from labor
leaders and the East St. Louis Chamber
of Commerce.
After the meeting Col Roosevelt APP
peared eager to meet Mr.. Gompers and
continue the controversy.
II just wish l could get my hands on
him! l can scarcely keep my hands Off
him" the Colonel exclaimed as Inspec-
tors Myers and Dillon escorted him to
his waiting car. For a moment II
seemed he would go back to look for
Mr. Gompers. but Theodore Rousseau
and other friends prevailed upon him to
drive away. Mr.. Gompers, although
cooler than the Colonel. was also evi-
IDENTIFY much upset. He came out of
the hall with Hugh Frayne and TiQothy
Healy.
Mr, Roosevelt had spoken before Mr.
Gompers. but took the platform again
when the federation president finished.
Founding the desk. striding. back and
forth, marching over to Mr.. 0ompeFs
and shaking a fist In his face. he de-
cared that never would he sit silent
In the presence 81 man who Offered
an apology for the murder Of the help
less" At first the Colonel was wildly
spplauded. Most of the men and women
in the crowded hall jumped to their
feet and yelled Good! Good Goodl'
rnterrupted by His.es.
As he went on. ringing the, changes
on his denunciation OF Mr.. IGompers,
who like himself moment before oc-
eupied a front row seat on the stage
amid distinguished company, includ-
ing the entire Russian commission and
the chairman, Mayor Mitchell. booing
and Kissing interrupted him and the
place was babel Of indistinguishable
sounds
Whether most OF the shrieks of dis
approval were directed at Col. Roose-
welt or the labor leader was impossible
to tell. Apparently some of the hula
baloo was meant for both. Through IL
ALL however. ran a strong current OF
handclapping and cheering for the Colo
mel, to whom men yelled as II they
thought they were watching q prize
fight. At one point there were cries tc
Mr.. Gompers, Answer him! Answer
him"
Mr.. Gompers was heard shouting
IN answer him after not before" He
got no chance, however, for when Col
Roosevelt sat down the Mayor seized his
gavel and, remembering that it Is a long
way from Petrograd to East st. Louis
reminded the audience what the real in
tent Of the meeting was. and introduced
the Russian Ambassador and head OF
the mission, Boris Bakhmetieff
Before this happened, however. Mr.
Gompers several times seemed to be or
the point Of leaping from his chair as II
10 demand hearing before the Colone
got through. In fact, a man behind him
threw his arms around the labor chief
TO restrain him, and Jacob H. Schiff
who had been sitting \near the end OF
the front row, changed his seat - ht
would be nearet the excited Mr.. Gompers
OA
Plain clothes policemen In the corridor
nocked TO the wings OF the stage and the
galleries at a moment when Col Roose-
welt was saying he had always looked
out for the rights OF labor himself and
men in the gallery screamed you never
did! you never did," AS for the
Colonel. when the spat was ended and
he had had his full say. he retired tc
his chair and beamed with the look OF
man who feels that he has beaten his
antagonist to a frazEle.
II was the Colonel himself who in.
jected East St. Louis into the proceed.
ings. He prefaced his prepared speech
with an application OF the race riot
remarks that he made at Forest Hill.
Gardens on the Fourth OF July. He
said that before I'VE speak OF giving
Justice to others 1t behooves US to SEQ
that justice Is done within our owr
household. He said the brutal murder,
In the Illinois city had left stain or
the American name. There was M
Justification for the riots. he said, the,
were Just plain murder
i demand" he said, "that the Gov
ernment representatives put down vio
lence with ruthless firmness, whether i
or white against black or blacl
against white. Before we can hell
others In drawing the beam from theil
, eyes let us draw out the beam that Il
IN our own eyes. The most dangerous
form Of sentimental debauch is to Civ,
expression to good wishes In behalf Of
virtue somewhere else when you do no
care to enforce decency In your owl
province
SO much." chuclIled the Colonel "fol
mis- brief eulogy of my fellow citizens.
All this was cheered. every sentenc,
OF H. The Colonel then read this type
written speech.
GomDerS'S Explanation.
me next speaker was Mr. Gompers
should like to explain about Eas