New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-11
Federation Chief
Asserts Democracy
Has Been Violated
French Delegate to Labor
Congress Pledges the
Aid of All Nations to
Mse Miners WnIk-Out

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1O.--Abjuring
loyalty to Temporary" administration
which violates the principles of democ-
racy, Samuel Gompers, speaking for
American labor at dinner given to-
night for Delegates to the International
Federation of Trades Unions, declared: !:
"We are tied to no administration, but
we are free men and propose to eAer-
else The freedom of our Judgment"
MI. Gompers told the representatives
of foreign labor that he did not believe
true understanding of the coal min
ers' strike had reached the President
because of his illness.
Responding to the American labor
leaders address, Leon Jouhaux, leader
of the French labor delegation to the
International Labor Conference, de
clared: "If the workers Of the United
States need the assistance of the
workers Of the other countries they
will get is.' He continued: "Frontiers
cannot separate the interest of work
ers and private interests cannot sepa-
rate workers."
Right and Justice" Sought
eve arc engaged in the create st
work Of today" said Mr.. Gompers, "the
greatest that has ever been entrusted
TO the common people Of America-to
secure right and justice and better
standard OF lite and the principles of
freedom ana immunity.
Nv henever and wherever there is al
attempt made BY the employers as en-
poyers or BY the government as q
government to depart from the funda-
mental principles of freedom and
democracy, it i, not only the right but
the daAy OF the men and women OF
labor to stand up. and protest regard
less OF wha3 the consequences may be
"We are living in our own time as
best we can, but our lives are just q
passing instant to the continuity OF
civilization and the progress of the
world, and what matters it if you and
you and you and | are placed in jail
because we. have attempted to uphold
the principles of freedom and Justice
and democracy? 1t is better that we
should have our own selT-respect and
hand down TO the generations yet to
come the principles OF freedom and the
worrhiness TO battle for freedom than
TO die and 70 live an inglorious life
Believes in American Ideals
Proclaiming Anne erican labor to be in
thorough accord with American prin-
ciples and ideals. Mr.. Gompers added
I'VE are in accord with our govern
nent when We know that our govern
ment is following out a course of JUS
tice and freedom and OF human develop
ment as expressed by the principles OF
democracy. " hen our administration
rails to conform to these principles ard
when our administration for the sine
being fails TO stand for the principles
OF democracy, then we have no alterna-
tive but to assert that American justice
must prevail against any temporary ad-
minlstration Of tae affairs OF our coun-
try.
we are tied to no administration
We are free men, and we propose to cx-
ercise the freedom OF our judgment and
our conduct and to criticize or to ex-
press ourselves in dissent from the pol
icies pursued.
I'VE have faith III our cause. We be
lleve that We are right, and that the
men and women of freedom in the
whole world may understand that the
attempt to impose upon our people {
condition Of affairs that is repugnan.
to the concepts of RIGHT and of justice
we, the men and women of labor, viii
stand true to the highest principles OF
justice and OF right and OF freedom
De egates attending the dinner. al
the suggestion of Louis NJ. Morrones
Mexican representative. pledged theil
support To the United Mine Workers o,
America in the nresent strike