El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-11-16
ARE
PUZZLED BY
SAM GOMPER
American Labor Head Is
Subject of Columns In
English Press.
CITED AS GOOD
TYPE OF LEADER

7 oNDoN, Eng, Nov. 1s.-Samuel
Il Gompers has been 4 problem TO
England. The statements Of opinion
regarding him have been as varied
as the guess on the duration OF the
war or the reasons why London has
been free for 80 long OF Hun air
raids
When he arrived plans had been
made TO hustle him from train 10 no.
tel and the newspapers OF London re-
marked upon the fact that he kicked
over plans for a smoothly conducted
trip By insisting that the Gordon Of
police was no obstacle 70 such news
paper reporters a. had collected At
the station 70 get an interview
Yet within a few days stories we're
current in Fleet street TO the effect
that he received reporters Ike an am
bassador or the prince OF a royal
house and not like q labor leader.
His various speeches contained
strong condemnation OF pacifism. stir
ring appeals for the closest union Of
the classes until victory Is won and
ramnned home IN Berlin He was gen
orally praised for his uncoDpromis-
ing stand against strife that might
delay the end Of the war.
Question Sincerity.
Yet IN certain quarters the charge
was raised that he saw the light
rather late. and there were discus
lions here and there Of = right-about-
face, together with questions Of his
sincerity.
He was variously cited a. = good
example for English leaders OF work
ing men TO pattern after. meddler
in the English right OF working man
al - garfIa ~naNE
troubles. a sane orator and leader
of the type English labor needs, and
a man who has grown somewhat out
OF the ken Of his brothers and dresses
and speaks with the mannerisms OF
a capitalist and philanthropisL
Il would be difficult to say exactly
to what extent the assertion that
England didn't need Gompers TO help
her with her internal problems was
warranted by the federation OF labor
presidents activities while here. At
the Derby labor meeting and at the
interaIlied socialist labor conference
he held an inconspicuous seat as one
Of the delegates present
Gompers Good Listener.
Beyond his uncompromising state
ment OF American labor's win the
war position. Gompers seemed 70 be
engaged chiefly IN the business OF
listening to what occurred on the
floor Of both meetings Yet Arthur
Henderson. who. It Is charged. hopes
to ride into Downing street on the
wave OF lend the war By negotiation
sentiment, was careful to assure the
labor delegates that his position and
that OF the distinguished American
visitors was identical.
At the socialist meeting plans to
hold the conference behind closed
doors. with a prepared statement for
the press each day, were suddenly
changed on protest Of the American
delegation. headed By Gompers- A res
olution practically condemning allied
"capitalistic" Intervention in social
ist" Russia was killed. and an Ameri-
can substitute passed. assuring Rus
sia OF the disinterestedness Of the
allies.
The socialist and labor meetings
were the proper point OF attack for
any leaders who hoped to start
peace stampede Whatever the Brit
ish public or British labor thought OF
him, there was every indication that
Gompers, and the American delega-
ton. exerted a quiet and steady power
for sanity.