New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
Organization Objects to His
Attitude ON Emigration
Question
Speech in Rome
Causes Rebuff
Leader Will Be Welcomed
Home at Reception in
Chicago

Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, who
went abroad to attend the Inter-Allied
Labor and Democracy conference in
London, on September II last. became
involved in controversy with the
Socialistic labor organization, at Milan.
Italy, according to word received here
yesterday by the American Alliance
for Labor and Democracy. Details of
the dispute, which ended in an element
Of Milanese labor leaders declining to
meet Mr. Gompcrs, were contained in
cablegram received by the alliance
from its representative who accom-
panied the Gompcrs party.
The trouble arose over Mr.. Com
pcIs's speech in Rome. His attitude
on the immigration question was OBJ
ccted to by the Milan labor leaders.
Mr.. Gompers, according to the repro
sentative of the alliance, was un-
aware OF this fact and wrote his
friends IN Milan asking them to ar
range an interview for him with the
Milan lnternationalists
In response to his request for a
meeting Mr.. Gompers received THROUGH
the Federation of Labor the followinr
curt note:
in case the American Mission finds
IL useful to talk to us as representa-
tives Of the italian organization of
labor adherlng to Internationalism to
which adhere also the organization
whch YOU represent, we suggest our
headquarters at Milan Yesterday we
4 fol-
conversation with you. We feel that
he meetings at Rome exhausted every
argument on the emigration problem
and that further political discussion is
impossible after what you stated. We
are. therefore, obliged to decline the
inyitation."
Reorganization of Serfs"
Mr. Gompcrs, in commenting on the
ietior. said that the Milan group evil
IDENTIFY forgot that thorc were other
ccouomlc questions. "Their attitude"
Mr. Gompers said, "provcd that the
General Federation of Labor of Italy is
not an expression of free independent
thought, for with the Avanti, it is
uoihlng but an organization of serfs.
When the conference was proposed
we thought II would give us an oppor-
iHnity to speak with representatives Of
organlzed labor. The fact is that the
oilcial Socialists are all chasing votes
ather than occupying themselves with
i've, vital problems of Italian interest.
Despite his failure to meet the So
cialist labor leaders, the visit to Milan
Was really genuine triumph for the
American labor leader. He was prin-
clpai guest at mass meeting presided
over by the Irredentist, De Rosa, of
the Adriatic Syndicalist Union. Rus
sano, who sustained the American Fed
Grafton of Labor ideas at the inter
sity of the whole world accepting
Americas principles of world democ-
racy.
On their departure from Milan Mr..
Gompers and his party were paid sig
nal honors. They were escorted from
their hotel by representatives of the
various patriotic societies and a large
delegation of Milanese interventionist
workmen.
At Genoa the American mission was
welcomed by the project by Mayor
Senator Romeo. by deputations repre-
sentlng the provisional council, by rep
resentativcs of the Labor party and
various labor federations and societies
and by the Garibaldi Society, all mem
bers of which carried flags and ban
Ners.
Receives Big Reception
After an exchange of greetings the
mission was escorted to the Hotel Sa-
Voia. A luncheon was offered by local
labor organizations, and addresses were
delivered by the American Consul, Pre-
feet Poggi. Mayor Massone, General
Canta and Deputy Canepa and by labor
leaders.
In the afternoon the mission visited
the Ligurian Labor party headquarters,
where d reception was rendered Pres
dent Gompers gave a toast to d COM
piete military victory and the ascend
ancy Of the democracy of labor. The
Society of the Sardinians presented
Gompers with two Illuminated scrolls,
one of which he is to present to Pres
ident Wilson and the other to the Sar
dnlans in the United States.
MIR. Gompers is to be welcomed home
at mass meeting to be held in the
udllorium, Chicago, on November 9.
Frank Z. Walsh, one of the joint chair
men Of the War Labor Board, will pre-
side. The address of welcome will be
delivered by James Duncan, first vice
pres dent of the American Federation
of Labor
Arrangements for the welcome to Mr..
Hompcrs are being made by the Amer
can Alliance. 1t was announced from
the headquarters of the organization
last night that thrty-siX states had