Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-06-18
Federation Refuses to Endorse Recognition of Soviet
 Russia.
CENSURES MOONEY
 DEFENSE COMMITTEE
Voting Against General Strike Pro- pOSal Federation Instructs COun- cil to Seek New Trial by
 Right Means.

Atlantic City, N. J., June 17.-Amid general uproar delegates attending the convention of the American Fed eration of Labor today refused to en- dorse recognition of soviet Russia, al- though urging recognition by the United States of the "existing Irish republic" and voted against the gen eral strike proposed for July 4 in behalf of 'Tom" Mooney, convicted in connection with Preparedness day bomb explosion in San Francisco.
 Discussion of bolshevism developed when the resolution committee re- ported resolution asking withdraw al from Russia of American soldiers, but refused to report others demand ing recognition of soviet Russia and lifting of the blockade of Russian ports.
 The committe refused to endorse recognition of the Soviet or any other form of government in Russia until the assembly shall have estab- lishcd truly democratic form of government"
 Gompers Leads Fight.
 The debate was said by veteran labor leaders to have been the most bitter they ever heard. It followed re jection by the convention over the strenuous protest of the radical group, to May 1, Gas bond of affection to unite all the world of labor into uni versal brotherhoodw."
 President Samuel Gompers led the fight against the May day resolution, asserting that American Labor Day was "a day for American labor" and not "political event." as it was in Eupore.
 Numerous delegates took part in the debate on bolshevism. Peter Bollenbacker, of the Pennsylvania Federation of Labor protested against rejection of his resolution, which called for the lifting of blocade, de- claring he had offered it Ion human itaran grounds" to bring about re- lief of women and children. John P. Frey, of Cincinnati, delegate of mittee, replied that organized labor was going to insist on recall of all American troops from Russia, but that it could hardly favor sending ] food there for fear the bolshviki would get it instead of the women and children. .li
 In response to further argument by radical delegates, MT. Frey declared that the Soviet question had been brought to America and into trade union meetings and that he and the other members of the committee were of the opinion that the convention should declare in no uncertain terms just where organized labor in Ameica stood.
 A meeting arranged for tonight at which deleoates to the convention were invited to hear "the truth about bolshevism" drew only small audi cnce. incvluding less than a dozen delegates.
 A sharp debate, during which sev- eral of the delegates almost came to blows, preceded the vote on the Mooney strike proposal. The resolu- tion adopted censures the Mooney de- fense committee for it's alleged ef- forts to disrupt the American Fedora ton of Labor. but directs the execu- tive council of the American Fedora ton of Labor to exert every effort to bring about a new trial for Mooney thru recognized processes. l The memorial on Irish freedom pledges American organized labor as heinz in favor of self-determination for Ireland.