Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-06-25

4. Gompers Makes Ctarac-
teristic Statement Follow
ing Election.
Denver, Colo. June araasiS +
Gompers, veteran American lSbors
leader. today was reelected TO Sftl,s
presidency of the American Feder-
alton Of labor. defeating John u. {
Lewis. president Of the Cnireds Mtnes
Workers, by heavy majority.
The offcial vote was: Gompefu,
.032; Lewis, 1924.
The announcement OF Gompers re-
applause which lasted for several
minutes. The demonstration, now
ever. failed to sweep the convention
moor as scores Of delesates remafnedi /
silent in their seats. II 3 sFs 5Fs!a u
The first name submitted as Z can,
didate for the presidency was that. of
President Samuel Gompers, who Was
nominated in an eulogi3ing speech. by
George Perkins Of Chicaso, president
of the Cigarmakers' union. .s5
Mr.. Perkins commended the veteran
abor leader. as "man with wonder-
tul intuition, wonderful faith. of
natchless knowledge, fearless cour-
ige who took rope of sand ana
made 1t the strongest and most FORM
liable economic movement in the en-
tire world. sssfs:T.
Under his fearless leadersKip yo,ss
have no cause for fear from the ope1i
shop movement and other hostile
drives" declared the speaker, addinIe:
mo man in the United States %
more lied about and abused than the
president of the American Federation
Of Labor. Why? Because this man
has accomplished something. He has
ability and constructive force j.
Perkins declared that Mr. Gompers3
vas physically able to perform His
duties despite reports to the contrary.
In closing he submitted Mr.. Comp
ers' name as that Of successful and
fearless leader. II
demonstration Of several minutes
greeted the announcement of Mr..
Gompers' name by Mr.. Perkins at the
close Of his address. A number of
delegates jumped to their fest ana
cheered, but scores 81 of others re-:
manned quietly In their eeatsf II 4SarftSS.
T. behalf Of the, Yetaffn.
The Days Routine. "
Denver, June 25.-The convention
OF the American Federation Of Labor
had decks cleared today for the eisc-
ton Of a president and other o6icssr1.;
Both candidates for the 1eadAr4Aaps
OF the American labor moyendAHts
John L. Lewis and Samuel Gomp2fn.
went to the convention hall claiming
that they had sufficient votes to win
Up to the hour of election10
o'clock-supporters of both candle
dates kept up their relentless cam
paign, which had been in progress
during the last week. .sS;Esss (
Labor leaders declared that the
contest would probably be close oias,
as many Of the delegations were split
ting their votes. Z
: The convention in its first night seS-
sion last night disposed Of the ques-
tion of future relations with the IN
ternational federation OF 4 trades
unions, and the recognition Of the
Russian soviet government.
Almost riotous scenes marked both
actions Of the convention. which up-
held the action of the executive coun-
Gil In severing relations with the
European labor movement and In
condemning the Russian Soviet Eov-
ernment. Defenders on both the in
ternational federation and the Rus
sian soviets were annoyed by speak
ing and rafting of chairs. shouts and
jeers. Il IL
President Gompers continually call-
ed for order in his efforts to keep the
proceedings in progress. When he
put the Russian question to vote be
vas CHARGED with machine rule" be-
cause he declined to permit delegates
to speak in defense of the soviet gov
ernnaent.
D. s. Smart of Chicago, withdrew
his accusation Of gag rule when
President Gompers threatened him
with preferment of charges
This question was put to q .vote.s
said President Gompers, and 1t vas
almost unanimously carried. -. This
convention has spoken for itself. This
Is not my rule but it is the rule OF the
convention Of the American FederaS-
ton of Labor"
Committee Action Appsoyed.
The debate on the report OF the IN
which sustained the action Of the sex-
ecutive council in severing relations
with the International was long ana.
stormy. Delegates OF the mAehin-
lists union and the International
Ladies Garment Worker8 condemned
the action of the council and pleaded
with the convention to direct the,
officers Immediately to bring about
reAmHAtion with the European moye-;
ment. 4 81. & As3iS:s .s.
II President Gompers, who with no
council. was charged with Nithh0aA-s
ing the facts In this matter fr1m Tire
rank and file OF the membefuhip and.
giving only one side OF the quelstoA
convention Overwhelmingly supp0etsAs
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