Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-22
GoMPERS AGAIN
chosen AS Head
OF Federation
Famous Labor Leader Says
His Selection Is Labor's
Answer to Its 7raduCerS
and Opponents.

Atlantic City, June 21.-Samue l
Gompers was reelected president
of the American Federation of La
Dor at the convention here and was
voted a salary of $4,000 year.
One radical voted against the re-
election of Mr.. Gompers and hand
tul Ct delegates sat while the rest
staged demonstration in honor of
tier leader, who said his election
was organized labor's answer to its
traGrcers and opponents.
Second in importance was the
adoption Of a resolution directing
the executive council to. investigate
AMI act i'll. regard to a joint -esalu-
ton now before congress providing
fer establishment of a conference
OF industrial heads in accordance
with plans recently announced at
Washington by Basil NJ. Manly,
Joint chairman of the national war
labor board. According to infor-
nation submitted to the convention
the plar would bring together in
dustrial heads and labor leaders ito
study problems affecting capital and
labc- and suggest remedial legisla-
ton"
A list of those suggested to repre-
sent labor as published few days
ago, is headed by Frank P. Walsh,
former Joint chairman of the board.
Mr.. Gompers' name was second.
Storm of Denunciation.
MeEtion of the proposed plan
brought a storm OF denunciation
from the delegates, radicals, we'll
as conservatives.
Andrew Furusuth of the seamen's
union said that in reality the pro-
posal if adopted by both houses of
congress, meant Inauguration of a
commission form of government
which is form of governmental
despotism that would shackle, not
liberate."
The convention also voted to send
protest to the Pennsylvania state
legislature against enactment of leg
islation described by Mr. Gompers
as IAN effort by certain interests to
curb the rights of labor and the
masses OF the people in Pennsyl-
vania.'
The legislation referred to is a
so-called "anti-sedition' bill, which
it is claimed restricts the right of
free speech and free assembly.
Adoption of the resolution was
regarded as especially significant in
view of the fact that today John
Fitzpatrick president of the
Chicago federation of labor i'll
charge of the organization of work
ers in the iron and steel industry,
told the convention that the right
of free speech and free assembly is
being abridged to such an extent
in western Pennsylvania that off
Gals in municipalities in the Pitts
burgh district are threatening us
with arrest if we hold organized
meetings"
Burleson Assailcd.
Postmaster General Burleson
again was assailed. A resolution
adopted unanimously expressed
organized 1abors disapproval of the
zone postal system for second-class
matter and "petitioned congress to
annul this obnoxious legislation en-
acted under the pretense of a war
revenue measure" Investigation of
the entire postal service and rates.
former rates to be re-established
meanwhile was asked.
President Gomphers' salary was
raised from $500 to $4,000 a year
over his protest.
Secretary Morrison's salary was
increased to $500 a year from
$1,000.
The convention was to have
closed today but because of the
large number of resolutions still
Enacted upon was extended into
next week.
Frank Morrison. shington.
and Daniel ]. Tobin, Indianapolis,
were unanimously reelected secre-
tary and treasurer, respectively of
the American Federation of Labor
today.
James Duncan of Quincy, Mass,
was reelected first vice president,
and Joseph F. Valentine of Cincin-
natl, second vice president.
John R. Alpine, Chicago. having
resigned as third vice president, the
vice presidents below him were