The New York herald., 1920-01-28
WORK TO BE YOUNG,
SAYS GOMPERS, 72
Always Expects to Toll Hard, De.
clareS Labor Head on His Birth
day Anniversary.
(speeial Despatch to the Herala.l

Especial Despatch to the Herdld)
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Tuesday.-Sam
yrel Gompers, president of the American
lSederation OF Labor, celebrated his sew
snnty-second birthday anniversary today
h the midst OF hard work. but took enough
ame off to indulge in a brief reflection on
the art of growing old slowly. In spite of
his seventy-two years, Mr.. Gompers says
he feels only forty, and attributes his
youthfuness to the fact that he has al
ways worked hard and always expects TO
work hard.
In spite of his union affiliations, Mr..
Gompers does not observe union hours
he admits this and is proud of it. In fact,
he offers a suggestion TO men who are
constantly calling for fewer hours OF work
by saying IL they want to stay young
, they should work. That. he says. is the
secret of perpetual youth--a secret that
approaches the efficacy Of the tabled
/. fountain OF youth.
Mr. Gompers comes from a family
which lives long, and only recently at
tended the funeral of his father. who died
at the age Of ninety-two.
Believes In Irreguiarity.
He is disciple of irregularity. and pre-
sents his age and good health in contrast
pers says he always has been IRREGULAR
has eaten irregularly. has slept irregular
ly and is only irregular in his health.
Here Is Mr.. Gompers philosophy on the
art of growing old while remaining
young
You ask me how does it feel 20 be
seventy? To tell the truth the number
OF years have lived do not seem to af
feet my feelings. I worker until after one
o'clock this morning on problem. Early
this morning / appeared before the Pres
idents industrial commission for ovel
two hours. l am writing this during q
recess OF one hour and half, and will
appear before the commission again a
half-past two this afternoon, no doubt fol-
the remainder Of the day. My mind ap
pears TO be as alert as ever, and my
unremitting activity for labor has tn,
benefit OF the light of my seventy-twC
Years OF experience. SO fas as the sam,
hopes and aspirations that animated m,
In youth arc concerned 1 have lost non,
OF them.
Age Matter Of Worry.
eve do not grow old except as we per
nit advancing years TO cause us worry
The question of age never occurs to me
nor does 1t give me worry. Neither doe!
the end Of things here. ! simply accep
the added years as a matter Of course ant
think no more about them.
''My work takes my entire time Will.
awake. ] believe that work is the great
est medicine known to man. il keeps III
young in years II we think OF others thar
ourselves. It is an invigorator and an In
centive to greater things
Association with people, young and old
has been an obsession with me. Their
are no ideas of youth that cannot b
considered with profit even If not ac
cepted after analysis. But consideration
Of them tends to keep those growing OF
from assuming they possess infallible wis
dom.
The ideas of youth with the wisdom
that should come with age are helpful. I
man is as old as he feels am not owe
forty. And the desire to be helpful to m,
fello-vS- to DO something worth while 70
my pc'ple and my country is an nspira
tion that keeps me young both in min,
and body"