Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-06-27
GOMPERS ELECTED
Continued from page y

aired before the result was chalked
up after one and half hours debate.
The convention finally adopted the
following resolution presented by its
Committee on Resolutions:
"Resolved, the the 39th convention
of the American Federation of Labor,
in convention assembled at Atlantic
City, N. j., affrms it's well-consider-
ed conviction that the people of Ire
land should have accorded to them
the unquestioned right to determine
the form of government under which
thew should live, and be it further
"Resolved, that the principle of
self-determination of small nations
applies with as much force to the
people Of Ireland as to any of the
new nations recognized by the Peace
Conference; and be it further
''Resolved, that the officers of the
American Federation of Labor be,
and hereby are, instructed to convey
this action to the Congress of the
United States and to the President
Of the United States with the request
that the action of this convention be
also presented to the Peace Confer
ence by the American Delegation at
Paris"
The resolution was amended as
follows by William D. Mahon, presi-
dent Of the street car mems union,
and a vice president of the American
Federation Of Labor:
'That the Senate of the United
States be asked in all earnestness to
request the American Peace Commits
sloners at Paris to request of the
Peace Conference that an opportunity
be given to Edward De Valera, David
Griffiths and Count George Noble
Plunkett for a hearing before it on
the subject Of Irish freedom"
And th2resolution was still further
amended by the following addition
to Mahon's amendment:
"and further, that the Congress of
the United States recognize the pres
ent Irish Republic"
1t took a long time before the
friends of Irish freedom in the con-
vention could get together and pres
ent unified front Before that they
were opposing one another's motions
and getting in one another's way
generally. An attempt was made,
led by President James B. Corners
of the Switchmen's Union of North
America, to have the whole business
referred back to the resolutions COM
mittee, but it was vigorously op-
posed by the members of the COM
mittee, led by John P Frey and Jas.
Duncan.
Among the oratorical flights of the
delegates were the following:
Peter j. Brady, representing the
Photo Engravers of New York:
Let US give our unqualified re-
commendation to the American Con-
gress that the Irish people should
be accorded the right of selt-de-
termination. Let us bring home to
America what would happen, as it
has happened in Ireland, if two
thirds of the people elected to office
were in Jail at the time of their
election. And there is the added
fact that not one of these men so
thrown in jail has been tried or con-
victed of political offense."
Frank Feeney, president of the
Elevator Constructors Union, Phila-
delphia, P,..:
81 favor the report of the COM
jftnn 1.nCn1,,+1anc Lo
amendments. 1t is entirely salts
factory to the real friends of Ire
land, and to the delegation of the
Irish Repu~ic present here"
Joseph D. Cannon, International
Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter
Workers:
"rhe British Government has rep
udiated its promises to Ireland for
so years. 1t has obstructed freedom
for Ireland for $50 years. Now that
the people of Ireland, after SO years
of perfdy, ask for freedom, let us
remain true to our principles ana
stand back of them"
Matthew Woll, International Photo
Engravers Union, Chicago, ILL.,:
Il am in favor of this resolution
and the amendments, although l am
nOt of Irish descent. Let us lay
down the fundamental principle that
the Irish people be given the right
to self-determination. 1t follows that
we can then favor the recognition of
any form of government which the
Irish, in the use of their power of
self-expression, shall determine upon
for themselves. The American Fed
deration of Labor has always gone
as far as the Irish people have shown
a disposition to go themselves. When
they decided for home rule, the Fed
GRAFTON backed up their demand. Now
that they ask for the right of self
the American Fedora
tion of Labor, the consistent friend
of the Irish people, again keeps step
with their hopes and aspirations.