Evening journal., 1920-10-23
BOOSTS
COX-ROOSEVELT
Labor Leader Also Critics
Republican Nominees at
Non-Partisan Meeting
SALISBURY HAS
PLACE ON PLATFORM

Speaking before large crowd in
the High School Auditorium last
night at what was supposed 10 have
been a non-partlsan mcoting, Il being
held under The auspices Of the Nom
Partisan Committee OF the Central
Labor Union, Samuel Gompers. prcsi-
dent OF The American Federation OF
Labor. criticized the Republican ma
tional candidates and praised the
Democratic standard bearers. A large
delegation Of union lQhor men march,
ed 10 the High school, where seats
were reserved for them IN the gallery
of the auditorium. AS they marched
In somc one shouted, "Three cheers
for Cox, the AlahOr mans candidate"
The response LEFT no doubt as 10 the
real character OF the meeting before
10 was even started
Mr.. Gomprs arrived In Wilmington
from Washington late yesterday after
noon and was escorted % the Hotel
dupont by officers Of the Non-parti-
san Committee. headed by Robert r
Kramer. president OF tht Central
Labor Union and Democratic candi-
date for the Legislature from the Sec
ond district After dinner ne was
taken In a motor 20 Irlsh-Amcrican
Hall, where he was greeieed by sew
eral hundred organized labor men. A
procession was then formed and
marched 20 the High School.
Among those who reached the hieh
school In advance OF the speaker was
former Senator Willard Salisbury,
who was given a scat on the platform.
Others seated on the platform were
/ Alr. Kramer, who introduced the
speaker; Fred Stlerlc, secretary Of the
| Central Labor Union, and John c.
/ SaylOr. After the meeting Mr.. Comp
crs, with the members OF tho rccep-
/ tion committee. attended the latter
part Of the show at The Playhouse.
where they occupied chairs In one OF
the boxes.
Mr.. kramer introduced the veteran
labor head as "Our peerless leader +"
Mr.. GOmners defended the League Of
Nations covenant as charter OF
labor" lie also ridiculed G.. d. Gar
lretson, president OF the Manufactur-
ers' Association OF Wilmington. be-
lcause Mr.. GarretsOn used his rights TO
idecline an invitation 10 the meeting.
In his Introductory remarks, Mr..
lGompers said in part:
II belong 20 no political party. The
labor movement does not belong TO
any political party but Is partisan
only In It's alleglanc 10 The principles
OF lNNulAN anu Iurlllti
lie denounced the autocracy and
the militarlsm OF Germany adding
~ may as well say here and now that
we will not submit TO an industrial
autocracy In this country"
lie scored the courts decision In
the Danbury Hatters' case, also the
famous Bucks Stove and Range Com
/ pany case. Decision In the latter, he
said. was virtually a muzzle on free
/ speech.
Mr.. Gompers next assailed the new
Kansas anti-etrike law as an act OF
, slavery" and denounced the Esch.
Cummings law forbidding strikes b.
, railroad men.
s Suddenly directing his shafts al
S Senator Harding, Mr.. Gompcrs spokl
} malcy." II 70 succeeds. he asked
: what have the workers TO look for
ward to-" The old song, "Briions
. never, never be slaves" he said
D. applied as we'll TO Americans, who
: never. never, viii be slaves"
Mr.. Gompers referring 10 Calvin
Coolidge called him the "polict
batter"
Addressing The press table. Mr.
: / Gompers said 10 did NOT matter to him
: how much or how little the papers
, used Of his speech, but to save The
reporters labor, he would give them
copcs Of his brochure. entitled How
Calvin Coolidge Became a Great Ma
tiOnal Figure
Ilo declared the Boston police strike
was due 10 degrading working condi-
lions. and that he had done his best
10 adjust the situatiOn. but In vain.
Every man and woman must make
his or her own choice In The cam
paign." Mr.. Gompers continued, "bul
no matter what the result Of the
elect on. tho American labor move
mont win go on ! know OF aLLnmnL.