The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-06-07

prescribed laws in its own eonStitu-'
ton to keep politics out of the A. F.
of L. conventions and that is exactly
what the Chicago and Illinois Feder-
ations of Labor are attempting In
helping to organize the labor party.
~---"Our political activities in the fu-
ture will be in the labor party and
not in the Central body or the State
conventions; these organizations will
be free, just like the A. F. Of L., to
continue to perform the functions for
which they were created.
Qeuestions His Information.
II don't know where Mr.. West
got his information in regard to the
campaign to organize the packing in
dustry. I wish he had looked into
the methods employed in this under
aking. He would find that the net
@esult of this wonderful achievement
was because President Gompers got
in his licks and blows just at the
most critical and opportune moments.
It is true that President Gompers
did not do the detail work-that was
our part-but he directed and ad-
vised an eventually outgeneraled the
opposition. There is not man or
woman who took an active part in
this campaign who will gainsay that
when we had a lost cause upon our
hands President Gompers took over
the situation and within six hours
had the six big packers upon the de-
fensive.
1.-THE same must be said in regard
to the steel campaign, but in this
instance President Gompers threw
the entire power and influence Of
the American Federation of Labor
into this situation by accepting the
chairmanship of the committee in
charge.
ut would be ridiculaus to expect
- President Gompers could give his
personal attention to the work.
Again, that was our part, and if we
were impelled by any influence to
make big drive it was because
President Gompers was able to bring
twenty-four cooperating internation-
al unions into complete harmony and
united effort which made the results
Exc already achieved possible.
Lack of Real knowledge.
Preference is made to the McKees-
port situation and here again one
must have inside knowlege before as
suming to criticize. The American
Federation of Labor, has certain
definite program which it follows. in
variably and that is, in the develop
ment of any situation each step. is
taken deliberately and. not until all
possible effort has been, exhausted
and every avenue Of relief closed will
he A. F. of L., countenance strike
IS means of securing consideration.
These steps are being taken in. Nc
xeesport.
-- Surrey anyone who will take into
consideration the momentous and
arduous duties devolying upon
President Gompers and the services
le rendered humanity and the Labor
Movement of the world during tho
period of the war and his devotion
his own country, his leadership
#, the most practical, sensible, ag-
- ,ressive, logical movement of the
workers. in the world today - The
american Federation of Labor
must concede that President Comp.
RS record is unequalled anywhere.
1.-The reference to the Amalgamat-
Clothing Workers involves my
'wn personal loyalty and honor. and
would rather someone other: than
. nyself make reply. I know that
resident Gompers is fully capable of
ustifying his own actions in this
ituation so will attempt to safe
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