New-York tribune., 1919-08-27
Has
Not Approved
Plumb Plan
Continued from page !

had not had time to read Mr. Wilson's s
statements, to comment on the rail-
road shipments demands.
Succeeded in His Mission
He declared that the efforts Of the
American delegates to make the in
ternational labor movement more DEM
ocratic and free it from German con-
troll had been successful.
He declared that employers must
recognize the fact that the workers
have the right to a voice in fixing tho
terms and conditions under which they
must work.
The interview with Mr.. Plumb served
to emphasize the fact that Plumb and
his associates were planning to go far
Their than MIR. Gompcrs was willing 20
commit himself or the organization he
represents. Plumb, in subsequent
talk with reporters. declared that Nh.
Gompcrs "absolutly approved" the
Plumb plan.
"a
Gompers declared to be without ''war-
rant i'll truth or in fact" Mr.. Gompers
when the statement was called to his
attention. contended himself with re-
ferrng inquirers to his statement to
newspaper men. In this he had asserted
his right to withhold al. comment until
lie had had an opportunity to take up
the matter carefully.
Mr. Plumb went to the hotel, accom-
panied by cX-Reprcsentative Edward
Heating and secretary having ar
audience. 1t was a brief affair, with
Mr.. Plumb and Mr.. Heating doing most
Of the talking, and Mr.. Gompers limit
ing himself to assurance. that the mat
ter would receive "early and careful
consideration lnasmuch as ii was
the situation created by the presenta-
tion OF the Plumb plan to Congress
which caused Mr.. Gompers to cut short
his stay in Europe. this promise con-
tanned little that was assuring to its
advocates.
Plumb Tries to Evade
Leaving the hotel, Mr.. Plumb at
first sought to evadc answering ques-
tions Of the reporters waiting in the
lobby
"Where does Mr.. Gompers stand?"
he was asked.
Where he has always stood,' was
the reply.
"Whcrc is that?"
"-At the head of the labor movement
in this country"
"ls Gompers for the Plumb plan?"
Absolutely"
When this was repeated to men close
to Mr.. Gompcrs they Indignantly de-
ciared that Plumb was talking without
authority and was attempting to place
Mr.. Gompers on record without his
consent.
In his talk with reporters Mr.. Com
pers said the mission of the American
delegates to the international labor
conference in Amsterdam had been
success 1t had two objects-onc to
take the headquarters Of the world
labor movement our o. Germany and
the other to make the representation in
the federation more democratic and,
representative. In the Amsterdam CON.
ference he made it clear that not only
were the trade union movements Of
the several countries of Europe repre-
sentcd. hut Bolshevism and similar
movements as we'll.
'Wc found" he said. "that the Sean
dinavian countries, with not more than
100000 members in the labor move
ment, had more votes than all others
with membership of 100000
cite this as an example of how, under
that state Of affairs, small groups
ruled. We had this changed. In ad-
dition there was this anomaly-that
while the Dutch were represented by
mon from the trade union movement,
the syndicalists and ncar-B Boshcvki
were also represented. The German
Federation OF Labor was represented
t,r
list. On committees they had dual rep
rcsentatives.
They Wanted General Strike
"These syndicalists made various
propositions for general strikes and
general strike demonstrations. In COM
mlttee these Rolshevik resolutions ha d
the support Of but two mcn--thc Ger
mans.
I'm general. speaking of our trip,
should say that VIC have done some
thing to help tranquillizc tho world and
help check the Bolshcvik movement"
"ln statement made on your return
from an earlier trip you said Germany
wss unrepentant,' said reporter.
"Are you still Of that opinion 2"
81 thought so then,' said Mr.. Com
pers- Il have evidence of it now. In
Amsterdam they were unrepentant and
boastful. with the thought of world
domination still uppermost in their
minds. 1t was this state of mind that
compelled me to tell them that
Deutschland Ubcr Allies did not so
any more
What did YOU learn Of the situation
IN Russia and Poland as regards Boil
shevlsm ~ he was asked.
"Jhc impression 7 received from men
Of other countries and from men who
had been in the countries afflicted with
Bolshevism was that Bolshevism is on
the wane. They told me that steadying
Influences werc beginning to be felt
Beyond doubt Bolshevism is on the
Nane