New-York tribune., 1920-04-30
i. S. Chamber
Members Hiss
A. f. OIL. Chief
Matthew VOLTS Attack on
Kansas Industrial Court
Hooted and Jeered at
Atlantic City Meeting
Governor Allen Cheered
Federation Vice-President
Compares Tribunal to
Russian Soviet Regime
From a Std1 Correspondent

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., April 29.--
Matthew Woll, vice president and men,
Der of the executive council of the
American Federation of Labor. who
sought in an address to-day before .he
annual convention OF the Chamber of
Commerce of the Unilcd States to re-
veal the trend of thought Of the organ
lied worker, was all but Kissed off the
floor when he attacked the new indus
trial court in Kansas.
Mr.. Woll spoke passionately for al
the present organization OF society and
its desire to heighten the output of
industrial plants. Even when his
phrases seemed inconsistent with the
view point of the delegates he occas-
slonally won applause. The cumulative
effect Of his jibes at the creed of many
employers, however, gradually irritated
elements in his audience The turning
point came, however, when he said:
IF | were to be an advocate and a
disciple of Governor Allen and his
compulsory service law, then l say to
you frankly that l would also become
disciple of Eugene V. Debs and an
advocate of Sovietsm as proposed by
Lenine and Trotzky."
Governor Allen Present
This remark brought Kisses from
various parts of Young's Million-Dol-
lar Pier, which was crowded with busi-
ness men from every state in the
Union. Governor Allen was present in
the hall and was to speak later. De-
spite the Kisses Woll added:
Because, after all"-subdued Kisses
persisted. He went on, saying: par
don me. After all, that is what Eu-
gene V. Debs wants-to control in
dustry by law, to control men by law;
that is what Lenine and Trotzky are
doing in Russia, controlling govern
ment and controlling industry by law,
and, by God, shooting workmen if they
do not stay at work! And so, say to
you that the proposal of Governor
Allen has its analogy in Russia and
has it's advocates in the Industrial
Workers of the World, in the Com
munist Labor Party, and in the So
cialist party, as expressed by Eugene
V. Debs."
Cries of "No!" resounded through the
great auditorium.
But, driven apparently by the ire
sistible impulse to deliver his message
at whatever cost to his dignity, Woll
continued for some minutes longer, re-
peating that Governor Aliens plan had
struck fundamental blow at the
rights of workers.
II plead to you, men and women" he
said.
Roar of Kisses
Here he was interrupted by wide
spread cries of "Timel"
IL am about to quit; I am quitting
now, gentlemen. | am sorry indeed for
having trespassed so long On your
time"
This was followed by roar of Kisses
and shouts of "Time!" more resonan,
than those that had preceded
"lf you will permit me just min
ute" VOL pleaded, 81 will close. say
| am sorry | have respassed as long as
have upon the convention. | have
tried to impress upon you labor's view
and | feel it would have been unjust tc
yourselves and to myself if l had not
done so"
Ernest T. Trigg, former president OF
the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
and representative Of capital at Pres
ldent Wilson's first Industrial Confer
ence, was presiding.
John w. O'Leary, Of the Chicago
Trust Company. who had served with
Mr.. Woll at the Industrial Conferences
was the next speaker and was scheduled
to speak on the "Employcrs Part" ir
the program. He undertook to contra
dict many of Mr.. Wolls contentious
and his version was warmly received
and seemed closer to the viewpoint OF
the delegates.
Even before Mr.. O'Leary took the