New-York tribune., 1918-04-16
u. s. Is Cheerful
Giver, Says Head
OF British Mission
w. A. Appleton Finds
Much to Admire After
Two Months Tour Here

"If it be true that the Lord loveth a
cheerful giver, the Lord must be very
fond of America" declared William A..
Appleton, head of the British labor
mission last evening in a review of
the conditions the commission had
found in America during its sixtyday
tour. The commission is about to leave
for England.
''In our travels in America we have
heard some criticism of governmental
activities, but never a soul has spoken
Of the money cost Millions, millions,
millions, but never Il question, never a
suggestion, that there might be econ
omy, never suggestion that too much
or too little is being provided. Truly,
it would seem that Americans, para
phrasing the words of one of their
great admirals, had declared, Dam the
expense! Full speed ahead
at is the spirit of the thoroughbred,
who, having made up his mind to do a
thing. does it with no thought of any
thing but results"
The unseltish devotion of the United
States to the needs of the hour and
the complete failure of the efforts of
propagandists to affect the success Of
the mission are the two chief points
for the commission by Mr.. Appleton
who is the general secretary of the
General Federation of Trades Unions
of Great Britain.
Misrepresentation fostcred by jeal-
ousy threatened at first to- interfere
! with the usefulness Of the British
labor mission" says Mr.. Appleton.
"The extremists in the British Labor
party acted toward myself and my col
leagues exactly as they acted toward
James O'Grady and Will Thorne when
these two trade unonists went to
Russia, where, by describing them as
assassination. These efforts to dis
credit the men who had accepted the
invitation Of the American Federation
OF Labor were seconded in America by
Paul U. Kellogg, who circulariZed the
trades and labor councils, and by Lin
coin Colcord. The latter wrote to
Americans deploring the evil effects of
my influence upon American labor, and
stating that they hoped to counteract
this by bringing over Camille Huys-
mans, the secretary of the International
Socialist Bureau.
"At first the difference in comfort
and social welbeing, the brightly
| lighted streets, the plentiful supply Of
food, the laughing, careless, happiness
of the people, all provided contrasts
That were too sharp for my nerves.
Each day, however, brought me nearer
the real heart of America, each day
made it easier to realize the fact that
all this vivacious force, all this pleni-
tude of natural and intellectual re-
source, was to be used without stint
and ungrudgingly in the fight which
democracy is waging against autoc-
racy.'
Some Americans have criticised the
! departmental committees, others have
! feared that America might be too late
but no soul has ever spoken of cost
as II 1t was q matter that America
had time to discuss. America ha:
given to me personally affcctionate re
gard; to my country and to the Allie.
she has given Of her man-power ant
of her boundless wealth with an aban
don and a generosity which brings
tears to my eyes when | think of it
and if it is true that the Lord love
a cheerful givcr then, indeed. the Lore
must love America.
81 am returning personally charged b,
Mr.. Samuel Gompers to convey to tn,
British people and the government, ant
particularly Mr.. Lloyd George. the as
surance that all the American Federation
Of Labor and all who are directly an,
indirectly associated with it are whole
heartcdy behind President Wilson, an,
that they will back all the efforts o
the United States government to fore,
peace which shall destroy for all tim,
the efforts Of German militarism t.
cnthrall democracy"