New-York tribune., 1919-05-11
Henderson to
Aid Labor Party
Movement Here
British Leader Invited to
Visit America This Fall
To Help Radicals, Who Are
Fighting Samuel Compers
Neao York. Tribune
Wdshin1tOn Bureau

Washington Bureau
Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Inc.)
LONDON, May 9.-Arthur Henderson,
the British labor leader, probably will
visit America early in the fall on the
invitation of labor organizations in New
York City to confer with all persons
and unions desiring to form an Ameri-
can labor party.
Henderson started for Paris this
morning to meet members of the Berne
executive committee for discussion of
the peace treaty. Judging from the
Labor manifesto, British labor disQwns
the treaty. Nevertheless, conversation
with leaders of various sections of the
party leads to the belief that the hos
tility will not go as far as might be
supposed. Extremist Laborites such as
Ramsay Macdonald, antagonistic to the
moderate elements, console themselves
with the thought that the peace is not
as bad as might have been expected.
They depart in no wise from, their for
mer opinions, but declare that the
treaty is capable of generous interpre-
tation if Germany shows a change of
heart.
According to one prominent Laborite,
the peace is much better than would
have been obtained if President Wilson
had not overcome the chief labor crit
icism directed to the territorial Sec
tions, wherein was seen unfair appli-
cation of the principle Of self -determi-
nation.
Extreme labor leaders consider pen
sion payments to the Allied soldiers
by Germany an unfair application of
the fourteen points, but look to the
league of nations to right such ques-
tions if time shows that they involve
injusice t Getrmany
Induced by Walsh
Frank P. Walsh, former co-chair-
man with ex-President Taft of the
War Labor Board, now in Ireland in
the interests of the Irish Nationalist
movement, was credited in labor and
radical circles yesterday with having
induced Arthur Henderson, leader Of
the British Labor Party, to come to
the United States.
Whether Henderson had decided to
come was unknown to his most init
mate friends here, among them Os-
valid Garrison Willard and H. M. Mas
singham, editor of the London "Na-
ton"
Henderson was invited to come over
in the name of the American Labor
party some months ago. This is
body made up in the main of officers
Of the Central Federated Union Of
New York, the Brooklyn Central Labor
Union, the Woman's Trade Union
League and the United Hebrew Trades.
The formation Of the party has been
in the hands of committee Of twen-
ty-seven from these bodies, of which
William Cohen, an unholsterer, is
chairman. Cohen is best known in
labor circles through the part he
played in the recent Prohibition
movement.
1t is believed that Henderson will ar
rive here in time to take part in the
fall elections, when it is expected by
those back of it that the American
Labor party will have tickets in several
states At present it is largely paper
party, with organizations in Connecti-
cut and Illinois. A labor candidate for
Mayor of Chicago received about $4,000
votes.
Ernest Boehm, secretary of the Gen.
trail Federated Union, said last night
that Henderson's would be general
agitation tour"
"The American Labor party" he said.
asked him to come over some time
answer to its invitation. 1t is true
that the American Labor party is being
formed in opposition to the wishes Of
Samuel Gompers. Mr.. Gompers has
declared against such party, but the
central bodies. or at least some of
them, are of the opinion that they have
q right to form an Independent politi-
cal party if they. wish to do so-inde-
pendent of the old parties and the Of
fetal labor movement. That is what
they have done, and Henderson is COM
Ing to campaign for that party
Labor leaders. who declined to allow
the use of their names, preferring not
to become involved in any controversy,
declared last night that Hendersons
visit was unfriendly to Mr.. Gompers
and was calculated to give aid and
comfort to those who opposed Mr.
Gompers in the American Federation
of Labor.
"In coming over" said one of these.
Henderson is returning Gomper's
visits to England in kind. Gompers. it
will be remembered, went to England
and fought Henderson's plans for ne
gotiated peace to finish He whipped
him on his own ground. Now Hender-
son comes here to try and return the
compliment"