Denver labor bulletin., 1918-11-16
(By Clint c. Houston.)

Gunter. as his representative, i at
tended the great national testimonial
and welcome in honor Of President
Samuel Gompers and the labor mis-
sion to Europe, held in the Auditorium
at Chicago. Friday evening, November
8. II was one Of the most inspiring
and democratic gatherings ever held
in America.
Cabinet officers, senators and con-
gresSmen. heads Of war activity bu-
reaus and associations, governors, Of
ficers Of national and International la
Dor organizations, representatives
from Mexico and South America. dig
nified the occasion by their presence.
Others who could not attend testified
by letters and kilograms to the es-
TEEN in which the honored guest of the
evening is held.
Three Cheers and n Tiger.
When President Gompers walked
upon the stage. the audience of 5000
arose and gave him three ringing
cheers and tiger. Similar ovations
greeted Secretary Of Labor William
b. Wilson and Frank p. Walsh. chair
man of the meeting.
y Five hundred visiting labor officials
J were seated upon the stage. while dip
lomats, cabinet officers, governors and
foreign Representatives had boxes re-
served for them. The huge auditorium
was crowded to the limit, and hum
dreds of Chicago people were unable
to gain admittance.
Personnel Of Mission.
Members of the mission of the
American Federation Of Labor to the
European labor movements of Eng
land, France, Belgium and Italy, in
addition to President Gompers, were
John p. Frey. editor Of the Molders
Journal; Charles +. Baine. secretary
OF the United Boot and Shoe Workers
Union; William ]. Bowen. president
International Bricklayers and Plas-
terers Union. and Edgar Wallace, edi-
tor United Mine Workers Journal.
The reception and welcome was
given under auspices Of the American
Alliance for Labor and Democracy.
assisted by committee of the Chi
cago labor organizations, numbering
sixty-five.
Thankful He's an American
Mr.. Gompers' speech dealt with a
history OF the cause Of the war, an
cxaltation of democracy, and prayer
of thankfulness that he is an Ameri-
can. Then he gave an account of the
work of the mission in defeating the
wiles of the Socialists. Bolshcvists.
pro-Germans and pacifists in the ranks
Of labor in allied countries. These
energies were bent, as Mr.. Gompers
related, to defeat the energetic war
program of American labor. which
nevertheless prevailed. owing to the
stern insistence of the members OF the
American mission.
President Wilson's telegram of
greeting read rs follows:
please join my warm greetings and
congratulations with those of the
American Alliance for Labor and De-
mocracy to Mr.. Gompers on his re-
turn home from n most successful mis-
sion."
Pay Tribute to GOmpers.
After the jackie band from the
Great Lakes naval training station
had played 'The Star Spangled Ban
ner," the audience singing, the meet
ing was opened by Samuel insult,
chairman OF the Illinois state council
of defense. who introduced Frank p.
Walsh Of the war labor board, as chair
man.
Mr.. Walsh paid warm tribute to
Mr.. Gompers and the labor movement,
and then introduced James Duncan,
first vice-prcsident of the American
Federation Of Labor, who welcomed
Mr. Gompers home in the name of or
ganizcd labor.
Mr.. Gompers then spoke, after vast
cheering by the audience. Briefly re-
viewing the causes Of the war and the
errors Of autocracy, he asserted that
"thc people Of the other side of the
Atlantic have not yet learned fully the
meaning and practice Of democracy"
He said both he and his associates have
returned better Americans and more
content with their nation than ever.
"Amcrica is more than n country"
continued Mr.. Gompers. America is