The New York herald., 1920-01-29
.GOMPERS SMASHES'
SOVIET PRETENCE
Federation Chief Condemns
Bolshevism Completely, FL
nally and for All Time"
ALIEN TO ALL IDEALS OF u. S.
Blames "JournalS of Opinion" for
Spreading Vicious Propaganda
Through Country.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Wednesday,
Writing In the current number OF the Fed
erauonist, official organ OF the American
Federation of Labor. Samuel Gompers con-
demns Bolshevism completely, finally and
for all time"
The American labor leader declares he
doubts whether the propaganda which
emanates from the Bolshevist organiza-
ton itself is more effective than that
conducted by those who claim TO be en-
tirely detached from Russian influence and
Russian payrolls." He also doubts wheth-
Ier publications issued by Russian Bolshe-
visit agents have as great an effect in
America as those (which like to be known
as journals OF opinion. such as the Ma
ton. the Dial and the New Republic
Mr.. Gompers makes an extended refer
ence to the argument that the American
people know little about what is going on
in Russia and the argument that 1t is un-
fair and unwise to pass judgment.
Arswers Pleas for Reds.
"It is not necessary" says Mr.. Gompers.
for Americans TO know at all times just
many before passing judgment on the
form OF government existing in Germany.
1t was necessary only to know what was
the form Of government and under what
rules 1t operated. We do not have to wait
for information about the form of govern
nent existing in what is called Soviet
Russia. All the information necessary to
the passing Of Judgment on Bolshevism
and the system of government and as a
10 Of hor
that are authentic. The plea of those mis-
guided persons in America who say wait
for facts before passing Judgment IL moth
ing more than an excuse which II is hoped
VIII gain time for the Russian experiment
and enable II to spread to other coun-
tries"
Quoting from the new Bolshevist con-
sttution, Mr.. Gompers points out that
while the fifth Pan-Russian Congress- de-
clares for dictatorship of the prolets riat
and the poorest peasantry, a great portion
or the peasantry is dsfranchised, and the
idrgest Bolshevist estimate OF the prole-
osn1at calculates its members as only ONE
illth or the number of peasants Even q
larry prosperous working man, by this
calculation. Mr.. Gompers says. is not a
proletarian Bolshevist statistics. he says,
sho" that the Bolshevist minority does not
even represent the masses of factory work.
Reds Smash UnfOnism.
Quoting from Bolshevist official doou-
Inents TO show the extent of massed terror
by the Bolshevilsi, Mr.. Gompers declared
lhat the economic condition in internal
RUSSIA at the present time has absolutely
nothing to do with the merits or demerits
OF the Bolshevist philosophy Of govern
ment" and adds. that it should have no
influence IN determining the judgment of
any person upon IL as SUCH.
MI. Gompers quotes as the most direct
information a despatch from Russian
trade unionists to w. A. Appleton. pres,-
dent OF the International Federation OF
Trade Unions, which declares that Bolshe-
visits have split up the reserve funds OF
trade unions. throttled the labor press.
killed labor organiza tions, split up trades
unions as a class and put down strikes
by force OF arms and plentiful execu-
tons"
In all concepts OF freedom within the
American nation" says Mr. Gompers.
'one fundamental principle is that any
involuntary servitude. that is, compulsory
labor. shall not be enforced upon the
working people" He quotes the amend
ment to the federal constitution and
adds
Alien &c American Spirit.
That conception and the spirit OF tha,
amendment have been entirely reversed
by the constitution OF Bolshevist Russia.
which provides for and enforces com
pulsory labor. The plea to withhold judg-
ment Is last desperate attempt TO win
favor from the American people for a
system OF government which by the con-
fession OF Its own advocates and defenders
is foreign 70 every concept of the Ameri-
can Republic.
We know about Russia. We know about
Bolshevism. We know the piteous st o-y
of cruelty and intolerance and we know
the autocratic concept that underlies the
minority dictatorship which is hailed 10
the world by It's dupes and advocates as
the most perfect state of society yet de-
vised. We know about II and we con-
denim it completely finally and for all
time