Evening star., 1921-05-14
,QU|ET FIGHT MADE
] AGAINST GOMPERS
Talk Heard of Coalition
/ Against Administration at
! A. F.. |. Convention.

When the delegates of the Amer
'1can Federation of Labor are seated
in Denver next month for the annual
convention indications now point to
Sumbled skeins Of mixed interests
which are expected to result in one
sof the most interesting battles for
control in the American labor move
Suent of this generation.
ProgreSsives and conservatives are
aecoming more pronounced in vary
Sng views in the labor movement. But
certain ones in the ranks of the for
foner are apparently seeking coali-
ton between miners. railroads or
Eanizations and some of the meta!
trades TO present a platform of prin-
.cpleS at variance with the present
administration II of the American Fed
Grafton of .Saoor.
John Lewis is being doomed quietly
just nov AS the men to step into
President Samuel Compers' shoes. No
definite announcement is made by Mr..
Lewis. Sdd friends of Mr.. GomperS
declare tLat reports of Lewis Candi-
Gacy are not taken seriously. But "A
survey OF the interests represented
by Levels of the miners shows strawS
are hra ting about indicating the sort
Of a contest that may be expected.
ON the one hand is the President
Gunpers- Secretary Morrison regime.
Backed by an executive board num-
boring less than dozen. the harmony
Of the leaders of the American Fed
GRAFTON is attributed by insurgents to
the close corporation" existing in
headquarters.
on the other hand appears Lewis,
who is seemingly awaiting Il more
definite announcement of support be
fore proCiaiming his candidacy for the
presidency. In case that support does
h.
ton to say he never sought the Office
and was not a candidate.
But at this juncture another kink
, IS knotted into the progressive pro-
gram. William II. Johnston. presi-
dent of tn" International Association
of MaChiniSts. who opposed Gompers
previously. has lost none of his pres
fige in the labor movement. He has
fecently gone to Europe. when he
returns. his friends claim. his name
will lead all others as the man for
the Chieftainship of the organized
labor movement of the United States.
And. according to JohnSton'S friends.
John Lewis recognizes this also.
Wherefore the desire of Lewis sup
porters to place Lewis in Office while
Johnston tarries in Europe. When
the maChiniStS' delegates 20 TO the
convention they viii he headed by no
chairman of delegation. support of
Lewis in that case would be a matter
OF Individual preference.
Eut Lewis. say others. is the man
who stood on the floor of the Montreal
convention las; year and pushed
through motion whiCh barred a
representative of the railroad o-gani-
cations from a seat on the executive
board of the American Federation of
Labor. The miners have not changed
in their attitude of support of the
railroad unions for government con-
troll of the roads and overtures are
said TO be ii progress these days
which Will give the railroaders the
support of the miners. Moreover.
friends of Lewis explain that such
tumble resulted from the attempt
of several railroad organization men
TO obtain more than the number of
seats allotted them on the executive
board last year and that the action
was taken TO prevent complications
and allow a better opportunity this
year. What view Of the situation is
taken by the railroad leaders is not
disclosed.
1t is whispered today that rail-
road organization men are ready to
drop an active fight fog 1.-The Plumb
plan. which Gompers opposes. In this
ease, there will be TO opportunity for
reciprocity in this line between
miners and railroaders.
Enlargement of the executive board ;
and a breakup of the present or
gs MIA tion of it is sought by the in
surEents IN The ranks of labor. Pro-
Gressives are fairly well united on
this proposition. il is indicated.
Meanwhile. President Gompers of
the the American Federation of La Dor
s. in Cincinnati. studiously attending
TO the art of observing the. situation
and CONNIE ting on nothing. The
greatest hope of the administration of
the American Federation of Labor,
according to its supporters. is the
breach between DrOgreSSiVeS. which
may result in another walk over for
the present admin iStration.