The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-26
Veteran Labor Leader Returns
Home From Europe Today.
Is Faced by Most Serious Stu
alton Yet.
ANNOUNCE A. F. OF |. POLICY?
Labor Meeting at Capital Thurs
day Most Important in History.
Must Choose Among Three
Suggested Plans of Action.

New York. Aug. 25--Samuel Com
Pers returned home today from Eu-
rope to face the most serious and
complex situation that has arisen dur
ing his entire regime as president of
The American Federation of Labor
Compers was aboard the transport
George Washington. the presidents
ship which has already played its
part in American history But in
landing Gompers on American soil
the famous ship played its part in a
drama. the consequences Of which are
considered second only to the peace
conference The George Washington
docked this afternoon
Gompers was the first man down
the sang plank when the George
Washington locked at 1880
Crowd Cheers Wildly.
A crowd, assembled at the pier,
came ashore. One man shouted
three cheers for the smarteSt man in
America"
a group of local labor leaders sur
Eounded Gompers at once to welcome
him home. With them was his son
Movie" men and photographers
were ready and Gompers posed and
bowed for them. He seemed happy
TO be home.
At a. f. of L. Head 81 Years.
Gompers is SO years old. For 81
years he has directed the labor move
ment of America as president OF the
American Federation of Labor. And
| due 70 the power that has come to Ia
I Dor, the entire country was looking TO
Gompers today for an announce ment
OF policy.
! With strikes in progress OF pending
turnout the country and workers de-
manding increased wages and coup
L 7Eu
against the high cost of living, observ-
ers believe the meeting of the labor
executive council in WASHINGTON.
Thursday, will be the most important
in its history.
Must Decide Policy.
| Because Of the demands of the rail
road men for naturalization of the
railroads with participation in control
| and agitation turnout the country, the
American Federation of LABOR mus,
soon decide whether IL will:
Endorse the principle Of dernocratixa-
uon Of trduStries-that is WORKERS
I participating in control.
ration Of such industries as are posi-
bic Of standardization. such as rail-
roads. mines and monopolies; or,
| Continue along present trade union
r lines. "a sing all action on the question
4 Of wages and hours
Break Vicious Circle,
The railroad brofherhoods have led
| the way in an effort TO break away
from the wages and hours" fight BY
/ adoption OF the Plumb plan.
I Those supporting the movement
toward characterization of industry
I declare they do not want mere in
creased wages. but release from the
servitude of the wage system"
They point out, as President Will
son pointed out in his statement. that
a n ---F~
! crease, vicious circle is being main
/ tanned under the old system. The
workers, therefore, want voice in
control.
Some labor Out of Control.
For the first time in the history of
Gompers' leadership reports are be-
ginning 70 circulate from some CEN
ters OF the mass OF labor in these re-
sions being out Of control"
In Chicago. the labor party move
ment is said to overshadow the
| strength OF the A. +. of L The same
New York Gompers has always OPP
posed a labor party- But the leaders
| OF the party movement are now conf
| dent they VIII force a new decision.
No one in touch with the situation is
\ willing to hazard a guess as to what
the decision may be-
Problems Facing Gompcrs.
In addition TO working out def
mite policy and program for future
| action the following are 2 few of the
/ Immediate situations Gompers has 10
l meet.
/ Threatened strike Of steel workers
| whose representatives sre now in New
/ York seeking TO lay demands for in
| creased wages before the United States
| Steel corpora ton
| The railway sbopmen's demands, which
l President Wilson asks be held in allegiance
| during the high cost Of living fight
] The railroad problem At the executive
| council meeting fourteen railroad union
| heads. representing the four brotherhood
l and ten other railway unions. will urgt
| strong endorsement Of the Plumb plan
The miners situations in which a strong