The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-02


are going to be successful ana eiil-
.ient.'
Such sentiments, expressed in vague
and indeffinate language, dominated
The deliberations of the convention
Much enthusiasm followed the address
of the right Rev., then Gompers re-
piled in very words, praising the Ian
euage of the speaker and assuring
him that "it is the purpose Of the A.
y. of L. to lift America, to help as
we can the whole world, to that higher
and better time and life which has
been the great hope of Humanity
from all time and for all time"
Later on there were two more
speakers, Doctor Powers, who spoke
on Control of Cancer" and Doctor
Hoff, who spoke on Control OF
Venereal Diseases'--thus they helped
to vile away the day, and the render
ing Of labor ballad "All Stand To-
gether" marked the closing Of Mon
days sessions.
Gompers and Irish Worry Delegates.
All during the evening one noticed
many groups about the hotel holding
little caucuses on the matter of boy
colt of English made goods to help
Ireland in obtaining its freedom and
also little gatherings were held for
the canvassing Of votes for the OPP
ponent Of Samuel Gompers, John J.
Lewis.
The first announcement of the can
didacy of John ]. Lewis for the
presidency was put forth Monday
noon.
On my arrival at the convention
Friday, met representative Of the
International News Service who in
formed me that Gompers was to be
defeated as the opposition was very
| strong, much SO because they all would
Hike to. SEE 3spe ,p3d yol,rssz ~ J.
|ministration at the hend d tie Amer
lean Federation OF Labor. On walk
ing amongst the delegates | found
them discussing what to do with the
old man; should they pension him or
give him some soft position within
the American Federation Of Labor or
should they make him president
emeritus with a comfortable means
to live on the remaining years Of his
life.
Amongst the delegates seeking an
other administration, / inquired the
nature of the issue and learned much
to my surprise that there were no
issues but just general dissatisfaction
with the old administration and just
wanting new one in its stead.
| Knowing that general dissatis-
faction does not get results until it
crystalizes into some definite issue
! especially when the opposition has to
deal with a powerfully entrenched
machine had to be very sceptical
about the prospects fo- the defeat Of
Gompers.
| The Irish Resolutions.
When the press first announced q
possible opposition to Gompers as
president Of the American Federation
Of Labor, It was statet that the sup
porters Of Irish independence would
fight him because Of his failure to
fulfill the desires of the Montreal
: Convention expressed in the Irish re-
o solution. But the Irish question ap-
o peared to be too remote and unim-
!. pcrtant to turn the majority Of the
L delegates against Gompers. Most Of
o the delegates who voted last year for
e the Irish resolution considered that an
e expression Of sympathy for ireland
S, was sufficient, and again the A. F.
1t Of l.. "Friends Of Irish Freedom" are
d just now having their own troubles
/ over a question Of the nature Of re-
ri solution to present to this years con
,d vention for adoption.
ly There are in the hands Of the re
ar solution committee four differen
It, statements issued by four differen
he groups who want Freedom for Ire
"a land, namely Resolutions numbers 8
III 10l, III, 119. All Of these condemn
erl Great Britain for the atrocities tina
y have been committed upon the Iris
ry race and praise the Irish people 70
at their consistent stand for absolut
IN freedom. In all OF the resolutions Of
IL fered there is only one that speak
IT, out for itself and demands action Of
tn nature That has never been asked q
Ter the American Federation Of Lsbc
before, and that Is resolution No. II
IT, which asks for an immediate boyco|
rol upon all English made goods an
ro- English insurance IN America IN
OF English transportation.
| Continued on page ~