The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-08-26
OF
UNION LABOR
CONTINUED from page H.

checked with difficulty only on the
promise that Rail Director Hines
would give immediate consideration
to their demands.
While Hines was considering the
matter, a referendum was taken and
resulted in a decision to strike I'M
less the full demands were granted.
In the face of this order, union
officials are confronted with the
presidents request that they submit
another proposition which request
may be seized upon by radicals in
the ranks and twisted to mean more
delay and cause more unauthorized
strikes. they say.
Before the conference with the
president, union officials predict that
because of the referendum vote they
would be forced to reject fatty any
proposition that will not include the
full wage demanded by the men.
Before the conference they refused
to make any comment.
Theoretically Small"
CLEVELAND, o., Aug. 6-"Miser-
~" and Uncomfortable small were
the Characterization by two leading
union railroad workers officials here
today of the offer of four cents an
hour increase to shopmen by the rail-
road administration.
1.-THE increase is Sly inconveivably
small that I will wait for official
word" said William Heineger. chair
man of the American Federation OF
Railroad Workers local here.
Timothy Shea, president of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Engtnemen
and Fireme1, refused to make fur
Their comment than to say that If the
reports of the increase were true. sit
seems misery"
puzzle for Gompers to Solve.
IBy Fred S. Ferguson, United Press
Staff Correspondent
NEW YORK, Aug. 26.-Samuel
Gompers returns home today from
Europe to face the most serious and
complex situation that has arisen
during his entire regime as president
OF the American Federation of Labor.
Gompers 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
drama, the consequences Of which
are considered second only to the
peace conference. The George Wash
ington was due to dock this after
noon.
Gompers is sixty-nine years old.
For thirty-seven years he has
directed the labor movement of
America as president of the Amen
can Federation of Labor And due
to the power that has come to labor
- %l,~4 ,fy-xy IN
Gompers today for an announcement
of policy.
With strikes in progress or pend
ing throughout the country, and
workers demanding increased wages
and coupling their demands with pro-
tests against the high cost Of living,
observers believe the meeting Of the
labor executive council in Washing
ton Thursday will be the most impor
tant in it's history.
Because of the demands OF the
railroad men for naturalization Of
the railroads with participation in
control, and agitation throughout the
country, the A. F. of l.. must soon
decide whether it will:
Endorse the principle of democra-
tization of industries-that is, work
ers participating in control.
Go half way and endorse democra-
tization of such industries as are
possible of naturalization, such as
railroads, mines and monopolies, Or
Continue along present trade union
lines, basing all action on the ques-
tion of wages and hours.
The railroad broth erhoods have led
the way in an effort to break away
from the wages and hours" fight
by adoption Of the Plumb plan.
Those supporting the movement
toward characterization of industry
declare they do not want mere in
creased wages, but release from the
seryitude of the wage system"
They point out, as President Will
son pointed out in his statement,
that as prices go up with every wage
increase, a vicious circle is being
maintained under the old system.
The workers, therefore, want voice
in control.
Gompers was the first man Down
the gang plank when the George
Washington locked at Hoboken about
1890.
A crowd, assembled at the pier,
cheered wildly as the labor aader
eame ashore. One man shouted
'"three cheers 70 the smartest man
in America"
A group of local labor leaders sur
rounded Gompers at once to welcome
him home. With them was his soa.
movie" men and photographers
were ready and Gompers posed and
bowed for them. He seemed happy
to be home.
For the first time in the history
Of Gompers' leadership, reports are
beginning to circulate from some
.centers of the mass Of labor in those
regions being out OF control"
In Chicago the labor party move
ment is said to overshadow the
strength of the A. F. of l. The same
conditions are beginning to be felt in
New York. Gompers mas always
opposed labor party. But the lead
-ers of the party movement are now
9confdent they will force new deci-
boon No one in touch with the
asituation is willing to hazard guess
as to what the decision may be.
] In addition to working out def